Soccer Tejas
NEW YORK and MEXICO CITY – The National Women’s Soccer League and LIGA MX Femenil are teaming up for a crossover summer tournament.
Described as a groundbreaking collaboration, the two leagues see their clubs compete in the first-ever NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. The top women’s soccer leagues in the United States and Mexico announced this “historic new partnership connecting two of the world’s top women’s soccer leagues” on Wednesday.
For those familiar with the Leagues Cup, the tournament that pits MLS and Liga MX teams in men’s soccer, the concept is essentially the same.
What is the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup?
NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup 2024 will feature all 14 NWSL clubs and the six teams with the most points achieved in LIGA MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura during 2023: Tigres UANL, Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca and Tijuana.
Teams will be divided into five groups, with the four best first-place teams advancing to the semifinals. The tournament will begin on July 19 and the semifinals are scheduled for the week of August 4. The championship match will take place the weekend of October 25-27.
Who is playing in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup?
Nineteen clubs – all 14 NWSL clubs and the top six from Liga MX Femenil – will participate in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup 2024. Four groups feature three NWSL teams and one from Mexico while one group has an even split between both leagues.
Group A
- Portland Thorns FC
- Seattle Reign FC
- Utah Royals FC
- Tijuana
Group B
- Angel City FC
- San Diego Wave FC
- Bay FC
- Club América
Group C
- Kansas City Current
- Houston Dash
- Tigres UANL
- Pachuca
Group D
- NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Washington Spirit
- Chicago Red Stars
- Chivas de Guadalajara
Group E
- Orlando Pride
- North Carolina Courage
- Racing Louisville FC
- Rayadas de Monterrey
NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup 2024 Group Stage Schedule
A complete group stage schedule is available below. Broadcast details, playoff schedule details, and competition rules will be announced in the coming weeks.
| DATE | MATCH | STADIUM | TIME (ET) |
| Friday, July 19 | Seattle Reign FC vs. Utah Royals FC | Lumen Field | 9 p.m. |
| Friday, July 19 | Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca | Estadio Universitario | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 20 | Chicago Red Stars vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC | SeatGeek Stadium | 6 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 20 | North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride | WakeMed Soccer Park | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 20 | Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash | CPKC Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 20 | Racing Louisville FC vs. Rayadas de Monterrey | Lynn Family Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 20 | San Diego Wave FC vs. Bay FC | Torero Stadium | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 20 | Angel City FC vs. Club América | Titan Stadium | 10 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 21 | Washington Spirit vs. Chivas de Guadalajara | TBD | 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 21 | Portland Thorns FC vs. Tijuana | Providence Park | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, July 26 | Chicago Red Stars vs. Chivas de Guadalajara | SeatGeek Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, July 26 | Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage | Lynn Family Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, July 26 | San Diego Wave FC vs. Club América | Snapdragon Stadium | 10 p.m. |
| Friday, July 26 | Bay FC vs. Angel City FC | PayPal Park | 10:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 27 | Kansas City Current vs. Pachuca | CPKC Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 27 | Utah Royals FC vs. Portland Thorns FC | America First Field | 10 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 28 | NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit | TBD | 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 28 | Seattle Reign FC vs. Tijuana | Lumen Field | 6 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 28 | Orlando Pride vs. Rayadas de Monterrey | Inter&Co Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 28 | Houston Dash vs. Tigres UANL | Shell Energy Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Wednesday, July 31 | North Carolina Courage vs. Rayadas de Monterrey | WakeMed Soccer Park | 7 p.m. |
| Wednesday, July 31 | Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars | TBD | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, July 31 | Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC | Providence Park | 10 p.m. |
| Wednesday, July 31 | Utah Royals FC vs. Tijuana | America First Field | 10 p.m. |
| Thursday, August 1 | Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville FC | Inter&Co Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Thursday, August 1 | Houston Dash vs. Pachuca | Shell Energy Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Thursday, August 1 | Kansas City Current vs. Tigres UANL | CPKC Stadium | 8 p.m. |
| Thursday, August 1 | Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC | Titan Stadium | 10 p.m. |
| Friday, August 2 | NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chivas de Guadalajara | Red Bull Arena | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, August 2 | Bay FC vs. Club América | PayPal Park | 10 p.m. |
What they said:
“Today’s announcement marks a historic milestone for women’s soccer in North America and another significant step in the continued elevation of our global game,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to partner with LIGA MX Femenil to create additional competitive opportunities for our athletes, unlock new rivalries, tap into our collective fanbases and continue our shared mission of raising the value, visibility and global standard of our sport.”
“The alliance we are announcing today is a great achievement for women’s football in our region and around the world – two great women’s professional football leagues coming together to advance the sport in our area, expand and grow the industry, build a new sporting identity and rivalry, strengthen partnerships beyond the pitch, inspire more people to join the movement, build community and open up new opportunities for players to have new windows of internationalization,” said LIGA MX Femenil Director Mariana Gutierrez. “LIGA MX Femenil is proud and privileged to work together with the NWSL. Let us celebrate that this is a historic moment for women and sport.”
