The 2020 Leagues Cup was planned to be the second edition of the Leagues Cup organized by Major League Soccer and Liga MX.[1] The tournament would have featured 16 teams, an increase from the inaugural edition that had eight teams. Unlike the previous tournament, teams would have qualified based on league performance rather than by invitation.

2020 Leagues Cup
Tournament details
DatesJuly 21 – September 16 (planned)
Teams16 (from 3[a] associations)
2019
2021

Major League Soccer and Liga MX announced the cancelation of the tournament on May 19, 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

Qualification

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The top four Major League Soccer teams from each conference in the 2019 season who did not qualify for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League would have qualified for the Leagues Cup.

The 2019 Apertura, 2020 Clausura, and 2019–20 Copa MX champions would have qualified for the Leagues Cup, plus the top five teams from the combined 2019–20 Liga MX standings who had not already qualified.

Draw

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The 2020 edition of the Leagues Cup was planned to be the first to use a draw and seeding for participating teams. The initial draw would have matched up an MLS team against a Liga MX team in the Round of 16, while a second draw before the quarterfinals would have allowed for reseeding and adjustments to allow for interleague play.[3][4]

Fixtures

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Round of 16

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July 21/22 Philadelphia Union   v   TBD Chester, Pennsylvania
Stadium: Subaru Park
July 21/22 Toronto FC   v   TBD Toronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
July 21/22 D.C. United   v   TBD Washington, D.C.
Stadium: Audi Field
July 21/22 New York Red Bulls   v   TBD Harrison, New Jersey
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
July 21/22 Real Salt Lake   v   TBD Sandy, Utah
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
July 21/22 Minnesota United FC   v   TBD St. Paul, Minnesota
Stadium: Allianz Field
July 21/22 LA Galaxy   v   TBD Carson, California
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
July 21/22 Portland Timbers   v   TBD Portland, Oregon
Stadium: Providence Park

Quarterfinals and beyond

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The schedule for the final rounds of the tournament was originally as follows:

  • Quarterfinals: August 4–5
  • Semifinals: August 25–26
  • Final: September 16

References

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  1. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 18, 2019). "Leagues Cup expands to 16 teams in 2020 with new qualification format". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  2. ^ "MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup canceled for 2020" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "2020 Leagues Cup details released: MLS and Liga MX clubs, dates and format unveiled". MLSsoccer.com. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Arnold, Jon (February 20, 2020). "Leagues Cup introducing draw in expanded edition of second tournament". Goal.com. Retrieved February 20, 2020.