3️⃣ things we learned as Leagues Cup 2024 gets underway | OneFootball

Leagues Cup is finally here and the first few days of matches provided plenty of drama across the United States. Here we'll pick through the bones of the first 72 hours of the tournament's action this past weekend.

Liga MX is struggling again

Jul 28, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Queretaro FC midfielder Paulo Barrera (8) celebrates his goal with teammates during penalty kicks against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

One thing has become abundantly clear since Leagues Cup expanded in 2023 —home-field advantage is key when Liga MX and MLS clubs square off.

When it comes to CONCACAF Champions Cup action, Mexican clubs are nearly impenetrable on home soil, yet Leagues Cup has begun to prove that MLS clubs have closed the gap when playing in front of their own fans.

With a few days of Leagues Cup 2024 behind us, only one Liga MX club has earned three points in the eight showdowns with MLS clubs, Atlas against Houston Dynamo.

While this may be a worrying trend after an all-MLS final in 2023, it must be mentioned that none of Tigres, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, Pachuca, or América have kicked off their tournament campaigns yet. Surely some of those giants will find some success.

América and Columbus have a big advantage

Jul 27, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen (1) center flanked by defender Malte Amundsen (18) left and midfielder Darlington Nagbe (6) after the Leagues Cup Showcase game against Aston Villa at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Graham Stokes-USA TODAY Sports

Club América and the Columbus Crew are sitting comfortably with their feet up waiting for the round of 32 to come around thanks to booking automatic passage after success in their respective leagues in the 2023 campaign.

After the high-scoring affairs, head coach-referee showdowns, crunching tackles, red-cards, both sides will surely be keen to let their future opponents take chunks out of each other in the group stage before arriving in the last-32.

The Crew in particular will be out for revenge after a superb Champions Cup run ended in defeat in Mexico, thanks in large part to the squad and staff getting food poisoning the day of the final against Pachuca. They stayed in form this past week with a 4-1 friendly win against Premier League side Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, América may just be the tournament favorites, and will look for revenge of their own after losing on penalties to Nashville in the 2023 Leagues Cup.

Leagues Cup is a chance for momentum building

Jul 27, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Alfredo Morales (6) reacts after scoring against Guadalajara during penalty kicks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

There is no antidote for a team on the brink than a cup competition. Quite a few clubs took that antidote over the weekend as they look to try and build momentum to take back to their league campaigns.

The most notable result came in the Bay Area Saturday evening when San Jose stunned Chivas on penalties after nearly pulling off the victory in regular time. That same Earthquakes side currently sits bottom of the Western Conference with just four wins in 25 games.

On top of that, Toronto, Sporting KC, and New England all picked up opening night victories despite massive struggles in MLS on a weekly basis.

Cup runs are perhaps the most energizing thing for a football club in need of a boost, and some strugglers are clearly making the most of the opportunity.

The question for the MLS sides ramping up in Leagues Cup however, is will they have enough time left in the season to make up lost ground?