MLS and Liga MX tournament set to debut this summer
The MLS and Liga MX announced the creation of a new tournament called Leagues Cup where both leagues will face each other starting this coming July.
MLS and Liga MX officially announced the creation of 'Leagues Cup,' a tournament to debut in July that will feature four teams from both countries, seeking to increase the level of competition between the two North American leagues.
The inaugural edition will feature from MLS side, LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake, while the teams from Liga MX will be Club America, Cruz Azul, Tigres UANL and Club Tijuana.
Sporting criteria will determine participants for both leagues in future editions, the Liga MX teams for the inaugural edition were chosen based on results in recent competitions, while the MLS side were invited to compete. The idea is also to increase the number of participants by 2020.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla were happy to finalize the creation of the tournament, that will help to grow rivalry between the leagues. CONCACAF president, Víctor Montagliani, expressed his excitement for the project as it will growth and strength the Confederation.
Schedule
The tournament will start on July 23 at quarterfinals stage, with the first games being Chicago Fire vs. Cruz Azul and LA Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana. For July 24, the games will be Houston Dynamo vs. Club America and Real Salt Lake vs. Tigres.
The semifinals are set for August 20 while the Grand Final will take place on September 18. If teams from the same league meet in the second stage, the games will be played at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston and Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. If the semis are between an MLS team against a Liga MX side, the games will be in the home of the USA club.
Tickets sale
Tickets will go on sale next June 6 through www.LeaguesCup.com all those registered in the page will receive additional tournament information and pre-sale access.