Can the World Cup spark the next era of MLS growth?
DaMarcus Beasley weighs in on whether the World Cup tournament can deliver the long-term growth many have envisioned for Major League Soccer and the sport in the United States.
Most teams still have everything to play for in the 2026 Leagues Cup, with the final matchday kicking off.
The top four teams in the table from each league after playing three matches against teams from the opposite league move into the quarterfinals. The top three finishers in Leagues Cup book.a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Sixteen of 18 MLS teams are still alive for the top four spots in the MLS standings, which would secure a place in the quarterfinals and put teams two wins away from not only the final but a spot in next year’s CCC.
Fewer Liga MX clubs have a shot at the knockout stage, but eight teams head into the final matchday of the group stage with a shot at advancing.
Which MLS teams have the best chance of advancing in Leagues Cup?
While 16 teams are still mathematically alive top make MLS’ top four, the fact that six teams won their first two matches to earn six points means it’s unlikely any team on three points will be able to jump the required number of teams and make up the goal difference, the second tiebreaker.
Austin FC, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas won both of their opening matches and are sitting pretty.
The Crew, Charlotte and Cincinnati all are in action August 11, knocking they’ll need to find wins and do so convincingly with the other teams looming. All three play Liga MX teams that can’t advance, even with a victory with the Crew meeting Pumas, FC Cincinnati facing Atlas and Charlotte hosting Pachuca.
Austin FC and the Chicago Fire will know what they need to do when they play Thursday, August 13, and FC Dallas could be in the same situation – though playing still-alive Toluca in the Estadio Nemesio Diez is the most daunting matchup for a contending MLS team.
If those teams falter, the door could be open for LAFC, which has five points after two matches (shootout victories are worth two points in the tournament, which goes to a penalty shootout if the match is level after 90 minutes). The Black and Gold face eliminated Quéretaro.
Real Salt Lake, on four points, may be the last MLS team that realistically can hope for a win and things going its way to book a place in the knockout stage. Diego Luna and Co. meet a resurgent FC Juarez on Aug. 11.
Which Liga MX teams have the best chance of advancing in Leagues Cup?
FC Juarez fired its manager before the start of the tournament but has run off back-to-back victories under interim Salvador Valero. The goal difference is good enough for second, just behind Club América.
Las Aguilas top the Liga MX table but are on the road to face current MLS No. 1 Austin FC. With only three other Liga MX rivals securing six points through two matches, however, a draw could be enough to get one or two of the teams on six points through.
In addition to Juarez and América, Cruz Azul and León started off the tournament perfectly. La Maquina heads to Chicago to meet the Fire, while León closes its group stage out against an Inter Miami team that already is eliminated, and is expected to still miss out on Lionel Messi as he mourns the death of his father.
A Tigres team in transition would love to see one of those clubs slip up. Sitting on four points, a win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Tigres’ home stadium El Volcán could be enough to put them through even after a rocky start to the season and a pair of Leagues Cup draws that Tigres and goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman were able to turn into multiple points thanks to shootout wins.
Toluca, also playing a home game, Monterrey and Atlante all need to win and make up the goal difference since they are sitting on three points after two games.
When are the Leagues Cup knockout stages?
Both leagues have a full slate of action this weekend, with a trio of Liga MX matches and 11 MLS matches taking place on August 15. That’s because normal action resumes, with the Leagues Cup qualifiers returning to the tournament shortly after.
The quarterfinals will take place between August 25-27, while the semifinals are set for Sept. 1 and 2 and the final – plus the third-place game which will send the winner to the CCC – will take place Sept. 6.