MLS league play will take a month-long break while clubs from across North America come together for the inaugural Leagues Cup. A historic tournament that includes all of MLS’ 29 clubs and all 18 Liga MX clubs for a tournament that spans three countries and two leagues.

FC Cincinnati enter the tournament atop of the MLS table and poised to compete for the Leagues Cup Trophy and the rewards that come with it.

Seventy-seven matches will be played in the World Cup-style tournament, comprising of a group stage and then a five-round knockout stage, with the winner needing results in seven games to win the trophy.

The tournament is a first in world soccer, combining two leagues for a chance to win a trophy.

How it works

Leagues Cup consists of a group stage and a knockout round similar to that of the FIFA World Cup.

All 47 competing teams have been sorted into groups of three for the event’s group stage, comprising two MLS sides and one Liga MX side each. The top seeded team in MLS and Liga MX have been given a bye to the knockout stage (LAFC, Pachuca) based on their success in the 2022 seasons, the next top 15 teams in each league are seeded 2-16, with the remaining teams left unseeded.

This seeding is important for gameplay, as the top-seeded team in each match will be the home team, and all games will be played in the United States.

FC Cincinnati, who has the 10 seed in the MLS, has been drawn into a group with Sporting KC (unseeded) and Chivas Guadalajara (Liga MX 8 seed). Fourteen groups in all make up the group stage.

The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout round, where it is win and advance or lose and go home. However, unlike the World Cup, in Leagues Cup, there are no draws. If things are tied up at the end of the regular time, things will immediately advance to penalty kicks, with each team getting a point and the winner getting one additional point. The only way to earn all three points in group play is a regulation win.

What’s on the line

The Leagues Cup is more than just a trophy; it’s staking a claim to continental success.

The opportunity to earn a trophy for the first time in FC Cincinnati’s MLS history is on the line. Winning the 2023 Leagues Cup represents a historic achievement, being crowned champion in a tournament spanning two leagues and three nations.

In addition to claiming the unique trophy, qualification into the Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly the Concacaf Champions League) is on the line for not just the winner of the Leagues Cup, but the top three finishers in the tournament. The champion, though, will automatically qualify for the round of 16 of the Champions Cup.

What's new 

In addition to the new format and tie breaker methods, due to the event being outside of MLS play, a new in-stadium experience will be put on for the tournament. TQL Stadium, like all host sites for Leagues Cup, will offer a neutral stadium environment for all participating clubs. In-game announcements, activations, celebrations and stadium policies may be different than the usual FC Cincinnati match day experience.

For example, while FCC will play both of its guaranteed matches at TQL Stadium, Chivas Guadalajara will be the home team in that match, with FC Cincinnati technically operating as the visitors.

Though fans will not be expected to remain neutral, the experience as a whole may be different than many have come to expect. 

FC Cincinnati schedule

FC Cincinnati will play both of its guaranteed group matches at TQL Stadium, where The Orange and Blue own an undefeated record (14-0-1) this season.

FC Cincinnati v Sporting Kansas City – Sunday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET

FC Cincinnati v Chivas – Thursday, July 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET

All matches will be available to watch through the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.