No, I think it gives the big teams the ability to spend more than the bottom teams without it. Right now LC pays more for 36 teams in MLS and Liga MX than CCC does. It took away the gravy train for preseason tours into America that other smaller Liga MX teams could never take advantage of and widen the gap in Liga MX between haves and have nots.
I would think Leagues Cup is particularly important to teams like America and Cruz Azul this season as they've been forced to make temporary stadium arrangements in recent years.
It's an awful format that won't last and is hated by everyone but Saudi Arabia (for obvious reasons).
In the last round they originally said that the games would be on FS2 but then changed several of them to FS1. That might happen again.
Yes the opportunity for the smaller clubs to expand their exposure in the US and build up their connections to their existing US fan bases is a big part of the motivation. The most popular teams will be fine regardless, but others have a lot of room for growth in the US market.
Since I was 0 for 4 when favoring the home team of the second leg, I have no idea who to pick for the semifinals. They all look like very decent teams. I still don't like Nashville but otherwise it seems like a tossup to me.
🚨✍🏼 NEW: Mexican football and its new structure has been officially announced in the owners’ meeting! 🚨- Liga MX will separate from the FMF and it will operate as an independent organization. - America, Chivas, Monterrey, Toluca, Tijuana, and Santos will operate as a… pic.twitter.com/LvR9wpAptl— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) April 23, 2026
That creates a quandary for CONCACAF Do they support their member federation or go with the money? Stupid question.
Interesting news. One angle I'm reading is that it's to get out from under control of Televisa. I'd bet it's also related to "MLS 3.0" which probably presents both a challenge, in the sense that they don't want to sit around and potentially get passed up, and an opportunity, in terms of improving international competitions.
One of our brighter “academy” spots. Also had a second spell here after his return from Belgium & LA. Had we known he wasn’t going to be stuck to the trainers table he would have been a good piece to still have. NSH 0-1 TIG 20 yarder beats the keeper.
Disappointing performance from Nashville I'm sure they'll take it easy on Philly this weekend.........
Yikes, a home loss. Well, the good news is, any win other than 1-0 puts them through on away goals! If anyone can do it, it’s a clinical team with finishers like Surridge and Mukhtar…but who ever heard of an MLS team winning in Mexico?
Tigres have never lost at home while playing In CCC or when they were in Libertadores. The story as old as time; Sam Surridge has played just 44% of minutes in Nashville's CCC run so far, and has scored just a single goal (vs Ottawa). It's hard enough playing Liga MX teams, who can field 7-8 DP-quality players, at full-strength. Missing one of the best strikers in MLS is almost impossible. Sam Surridge has played just 44% of minutes in Nashville's CCC run so far, and has scored just a single goal (vs Ottawa).It's hard enough playing Liga MX teams, who can field 7-8 DP-quality players, at full-strength. Missing one of the best strikers in MLS is almost impossible. pic.twitter.com/YE6DvpMIDS— Ben Wright (@benwright) April 29, 2026 I'm tired of hearing these excuses. Yes, I'm tired of saying them too. MLS will brag about valuations but can't brag about how great their product is.
I think you’re exaggerating a little bit, MLS is starting to consistently perform better in this tournament and a lot of your clubs are still learning to play with international pressure.
They do on the MLS website: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/don-garber-x3644 "He has also secured a groundbreaking global partnership with Apple TV and overseen a surge in average club valuations, which have risen to more than $720 million."
Nashville was swept away like a kite in a hurricane. Its clear MLS has taken a HUGE step back in quality the last few years while Liga MX has continued improving.