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LEAGUES CUP

Who’s in and who’s out...how the Leagues Cup Round of 32 is shaping up

With just one round of games to go in the 15 groups of three teams, the picture for the next stage of the 2023 Leagues Cup is getting clearer.

América beat Chicago after fractious finale
Scott RovakUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

With just one round of games outstanding in the 15 Leagues Cup groups, we are edging towards the Round of 32 with many teams automatically advancing and just one team (St Louis City) having no mathematical chance of progressing after two group stage defeats.

Thirty teams will progress and join 2022 MLS champions LAFC and 2022 Liga MX Apertura winners Pachuca with both securing byes directly into the Round of 32.

As things stand, twelve teams are mathematically through to the next stage with many having to wait for the final group game to take place before the final standings and subsequent places in the next stage are confirmed.

Leagues Cup: teams set to advance (as of 28-07)

Portland Timbers

Club Leon

Club America 

Columbus Crew

Toluca 

Mazatlan

Inter Miami 

FC Dallas

Philadelphia Union

DC United 

NYCFC

NE Revolution

Only Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami have won both their opening games with the main media spotlight focusing on Leo Messi’s performances for the South Florida based club and his three goals in his first two appearances in a pink shirt.

What games to follow in final games?

A handful of big names from Liga MX and MLS run the risk of falling at the first hurdle of the 2023 Leagues Cup and face crucial final games with the likes of Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy, Cruz Azul, Austin FC, Pumas and Toronto FC all facing a possible group stage elimination.

Next stages of Leagues Cup

The Round of 32 gets underway on 2 August and will be one off games with games being resolved via a penalty shoot-out should the sides be level after regulation time (no extra time will be played). Games will be played on 2,3 and 4 of August.

Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (10) scores a goal on a penalty kick against the Minnesota United
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Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (10) scores a goal on a penalty kick against the Minnesota UnitedMatt KrohnUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The Round of 16 kicks off on 6 August with games played through to 8 August and the quarterfinals start on 11 August. The tournament winds down with the semifinals on 15 August with the final set for 19 August.