Inter Miami defender Sergio Busquets and Club León’s Andrés Guardado expressed their support for the Leagues Cup format, which eliminates the possibility of extra time and sends tied matches directly to penalties. Both players believe that this format allows them to consistently perform well despite the heavy schedule. According to the Leagues Cup rules, any game tied at full time will be settled through a penalty shootout. The winning team will receive two points while the losers will earn one. Busquets emphasized that although the format is different, it is very necessary. He mentioned that playing numerous games in a limited amount of time can be physically demanding for players, making the penalty format a welcome change. Guardado echoed these sentiments, highlighting that while penalties make the game more exciting for the audience, it also benefits the players as they can maintain a high level of performance in a short amount of time.
Integration of Liga MX and MLS in Leagues Cup
The 2023 Leagues Cup marked the inaugural edition of the tournament, where Liga MX and MLS came together in a fully integrated manner under an official capacity for the first time. While the two leagues had previously played friendlies and single-match competitions, this format allowed all 47 clubs to compete together. To accommodate the clubs, changes and modifications were made to the tournament, such as the introduction of hubs for top-performing Liga MX teams to minimize travel. Liga MX president Mikel Arriola emphasized the tournament’s priority of ensuring the quality of the product on the pitch. He mentioned the importance of having quality referees, income sources, and logistical coordination to take care of the players and teams. The goal is to create a better tournament in terms of income, reach, and awareness while upholding the quality of the product on the field.
Continuous Improvement and Growth
While the Leagues Cup serves as a platform for MLS and Liga MX to seek improvement and growth, Guardado believes that there is still room for progress. He mentioned the possibility of hosting the tournament in Mexico in the future and acknowledged that changes will likely be made to benefit both leagues. Guardado emphasized the importance of the tournament as a catalyst for collaboration and development between MLS and Liga MX. The competition, running from July 26 to Aug. 25, features all 47 MLS and Liga MX clubs competing in a two-match group stage with the hopes of advancing to the knockout round.
The Leagues Cup format has garnered support from players like Busquets and Guardado for its ability to maintain player performance despite a busy schedule. The integration of Liga MX and MLS in the tournament signifies a significant step in collaboration and growth between the two leagues. While improvements can still be made, the Leagues Cup serves as a platform for innovation and development in North American soccer.
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