The Leagues Cup features 36 clubs from MLS and LIGA MX competing across a rivalry-filled tournament concluding on Sept. 6, with the top three finishers qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup. Following Seattle Sounders FC’s title-winning run last season, clubs across North America are positioning themselves to claim the trophy and secure continental qualification.
Inter Miami CF Returns as a Top Contender Led by Lionel Messi
Inter Miami CF enters the tournament following a run to the 2025 final, powered by Lionel Messi. According to American Soccer Analysis, the club sits first in the Eastern Conference and third in MLS in expected goals differential. Messi arrives fresh off a FIFA World Cup campaign with Argentina where he tallied 12 goal contributions, including eight goals and four assists, as his national team reached the final.
The squad’s roster depth has been bolstered by new signings Casemiro and international teammate Rodrigo De Paul. This supporting cast provides the necessary depth to make a deep run.
LAFC Pairs Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga in Attack
LAFC features an attacking partnership combining Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga. Son’s playmaking and goalscoring immediately clicked in LAFC’s El Tráfico victory earlier this month following his arrival last summer, creating space for winger Denis Bouanga.
Head coach Marc Dos Santos manages a roster equipped with top-end talent across the midfield and backline. This depth enabled LAFC to reach the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals earlier this season while still thriving in MLS play.
Chicago Fire FC Rebounds Under Gregg Berhalter
Chicago Fire FC enters the tournament ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference table and fourth in MLS in expected goals difference, according to American Soccer Analysis. Head coach Gregg Berhalter has engineered a turnaround, with the team ranking inside the league’s top 10 in both expected goals for and expected goals against following an unbalanced 2025 campaign.
Offseason additions Anton Salétros and Robin Lod have added stability in the midfield, while striker Robert Lewandowski provides star power. The club retains the flexibility to add another Designated Player following Hugo Cuypers’ transfer to LIGA MX side CF Monterrey, though Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s thigh injury presents a current defensive concern.
Nashville SC Builds on Supporters’ Shield Lead with Elias Saad
Nashville SC sits atop the Supporters’ Shield standings and has added Tunisian World Cup member Elias Saad on loan from Bundesliga club FC Augsburg to bolster their attack. Saad joins a frontline featuring Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza under head coach B.J. Callaghan.
Central midfield additions, including Famara Camara, provide further depth. Nashville enters with established tournament pedigree after lifting the 2025 US Open Cup and reaching the semifinals of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, though managing injuries will dictate their success.
Vancouver Whitecaps Lead MLS in Expected Goals Differential
The Vancouver Whitecaps lead MLS in expected goals differential under head coach Jesper Sørensen, nearly doubling the next best team in that category according to American Soccer Analysis. Following their appearance in the MLS Cup last season, where they fell to Inter Miami, the Whitecaps have maintained elite status in the Western Conference.
The roster features goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, Thomas Müller, and Brian White in the attack, alongside playmaker Ryan Gauld following an injury layoff. The team maintained its stability in central midfield despite Sebastian Berhalter’s transfer to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough FC.
Did you know? The top three finishers in the Leagues Cup earn direct qualification spots for the following year’s Concacaf Champions Cup, adding continental stakes to the domestic tournament structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Leagues Cup conclude?
The tournament concludes with the championship match on Sept. 6.
How many teams participate in the Leagues Cup?
A total of 36 clubs participate, featuring 18 teams from MLS and 18 from LIGA MX.
What are the qualification stakes beyond the trophy?
The top three finishers in the tournament qualify for the subsequent year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.
Join the Conversation
Which MLS or LIGA MX club do you think has the best roster depth to lift the Leagues Cup trophy this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.