Soccer Tejas
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The summer soccer spotlight turns once again to the Leagues Cup, the joint competition between Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, kicking off its 2025 edition today. This year’s tournament brings together 36 teams from the top leagues of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in a month-long contest that is quickly becoming a fan-favorite and a key part of the North American soccer calendar.
A Cross-Border Rivalry on Full Display
The Leagues Cup, now officially sanctioned by Concacaf, is more than just an exhibition—it’s a competitive, high-reward tournament that includes a pathway to international glory. The top three finishers will earn coveted berths in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, a gateway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Unlike earlier versions of the competition, the 2025 format guarantees exclusively cross-league matchups in every phase. That means fans will only see MLS vs. Liga MX clashes from the opening whistle all the way to the final.
Format: How It Works
The competition unfolds in two distinct stages:
- Phase One (July 29 – August 7): Each team plays three group-stage matches against opponents from the other league. Teams earn points—3 for a regulation win, 2 for a shootout win, and 1 for a shootout loss. No draws are allowed.
- League Tables: MLS and Liga MX teams are ranked in separate tables. The top four teams from each league advance to the knockout rounds.
- Knockout Stage (August 19 – August 31): Single-elimination rounds begin with quarterfinals, followed by semifinals and the championship match on August 31.
Who’s In: The 2025 Field
The 36 teams participating include 18 from MLS and 18 from Liga MX.
MLS Teams:
- Atlanta United
- Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Inter Miami CF
- LA Galaxy
- Los Angeles FC
- Minnesota United FC
- CF Montréal
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City SC
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- San Diego FC (new expansion team)
- Seattle Sounders FC
Note: Vancouver Whitecaps FC are not participating due to their spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Liga MX Teams:
- Club América
- Atlas FC
- Atlético de San Luis
- Club León
- Cruz Azul
- Chivas Guadalajara
- FC Juárez
- Mazatlán FC
- Monterrey
- Necaxa
- Pachuca
- Puebla
- Pumas UNAM
- Querétaro
- Santos Laguna
- Tigres UANL
- Tijuana
- Toluca FC
What’s at Stake
Besides bragging rights and a major trophy, the top three teams—the champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher—will qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. For many clubs, especially those still chasing silverware in their domestic leagues, this tournament offers a crucial international platform.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament opens, eyes are already on headline matchups like Inter Miami vs. Tigres, LAFC vs. Club América, and Columbus Crew’s title defense. With stars like Lionel Messi, André-Pierre Gignac, and Cucho Hernández taking the field, fans can expect high drama and elite-level soccer.
Leagues Cup 2025 promises another electric chapter in North America’s growing soccer rivalry and a warm-up for the 2026 World Cup.
