Liga MX Apertura & MLS to have a month-long break: how does the Leagues Cup work?

The Leagues Cup is edging closer and closer, and the time is nearly here for domestic football action to take a brief pause while sides from the two nations go head to head.

From July 13 to 16, the eight matches corresponding to match day three of the current Liga MX season will be played, as well as the two remaining match days of MLS. After that, tournament activity will be suspended until August 19, once the Leagues Cup, which begins on July 21, has concluded.

When will the MLS/Liga MX football stop and restart?

The first edition of the Leagues Cup will take place in the last days of July in various locations across the United States. This tournament will pit all the Liga MX teams against those of MLS, and will be divided into conferences. Given this mid-season pause, the Apertura 2023 tournament will not be restarted until August 25, when Puebla host FC Juárez at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium, at the start of match day six.

It should be noted that Liga MX has not yet announced the dates on which the matches of days 4 and 5 will be rescheduled, as they are postponed by the Leagues Cup. As for MLS, is will temporarily conclude on July 16 and not return until August 21.

How will the Leagues Cup work?

The format of the Leagues Cup is quite simple: it will be a World Cup style tournament, with a group stage before knockout rounds. Three points are awarded for a win, with one for a draw and an extra point for the winner of the penalty shootout, which will happen after 90 minutes (no extra-time) following every tied game.

Each group has four teams and the top 2 teams, decided after everyone plays each other twice, will go through. The MLS Cup champion and the Liga MX champion with the highest points total over the Apertura and Clausura will go through to the Round of 32.

The top 15 MLS clubs will be seeded into groups and the top 15 Liga MX teams will be placed into the groups in reverse order. The remaining 13 teams will be drawn into groups depending on geography.

Can teams qualify for the Concacaf Champions League through the Leagues Cup?

There are three Concacaf Champions League places up for grabs: the second and third placed teams will qualify for the CCL while the winner of the tournament advances directly to the Round of 16.

I told you it was all very simple. And don’t worry, we’re all looking forward to the Leagues Cup, as someone special might be in line to make their debut...