Former MLS and Liga MX figure DeMarcus Beasley highlighted the impact of Leagues Cup on the US/Mexico rivalry, explaining “the games mean something to these clubs.”
The second edition of Leagues Cup returns this summer, with all 47 clubs from Liga MX and Major League Soccer competing in the month-long tournament for the coveted trophy and a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup slot.
The competition will run from July 26 to August 25 throughout the United States, with no matches held in Mexico. But Liga MX and MLS executives agreed to introduce hubs for the highest ranking Mexican teams to combat the extensive traveling.
Club America (League champion with a bye) will have hosting privileges through the semifinals, C.F. Monterrey (No. 1 rank) through Round of 16, Chivas Guadalajara (No. 4 rank) through Round of 32, and Tigres (No. 6 rank) throughout the Group Stage, rewarding the clubs according to their 2023 Apertura and Clausura performances.
“I think having these hub privileges will be important for the Mexican teams. You’ll have Club America and Chivas in California, and Monterrrey and Tigres in Texas. These teams have fans in those states that will make them feel like they are playing at home,” said Beasley.
“For me, whenever I played games for the USMNT against Mexico, it always felt like an away game even though we were at home.”
The former player continued emphasizing the pivotal role supporters play in fueling the US/Mexico rivalry, as Leagues Cup “brings out” the passion to make soccer great.
“It’s exciting. You see the passion come out in fans and these clubs. I think that’s what Leagues Cup brings out. I know that the games are all being played in the US and Canada but at the same time, I think there’s so many Mexican American fans in the United States that support Monterrey, Tigres or Puebla. Their presence is important, because they get to see their clubs up close when maybe they can’t get to Mexico all the time or travel out of the country,” he said.
“The biggest thing for me is a rivalry because like I said it doesn’t matter if it’s a club or national team, you know, the USA Mexico rivalry in football is special. It means something to these clubs and you never wanna lose. It comes with bragging rights. This rivalry is what makes our sport great.”
MLS dominated in the inaugural edition of the tournament, seeing an all American final between Nashville SC and Inter Miami. But with recent results between the two leagues in the Concacaf Champions League Cup, Beasley anticipates a difficult 2024 Leagues Cup.
“My dark horse for Leagues Cup is Pachuca. They have a really, really strong squad, mixing youth and experience. Philadelphia is not an easy team to beat, and they beat them 6-0 in CCC. I do think Pachuca regardless is a very, very good football team.”
