In Phase One, each team plays three matches against opponents from the opposite league. The top four clubs from each league-specific table advance to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
The tournament champion will be crowned on Sept. 6. Additionally, the top three finishers qualify for the 2027\u00a0Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3rd in MLS Leagues Cup table Miami opened their Leagues Cup journey with a comprehensive 4-2 win<\/a> against Atl\u00e9tico de San Luis on Wednesday, priming themselves for yet another deep tournament run.<\/p>\n Messi returned to the Miami starting XI for the first time since playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> final for Argentina and netted a brace, while also setting up Micael<\/a>‘s headed goal.<\/p>\n Telasco Segovia<\/a> tallied the Herons’ other goal, and homegrown defender Noah Allen<\/a> added a hat trick of assists.<\/p>\n Lionel Messi: Widely considered soccer’s GOAT, Messi was named Leagues Cup 2023 MVP and is the tournament’s joint all-time leading goalscorer (14 goals). The Herons captured the club’s first-ever trophy as Leagues Cup 2023 champions immediately upon Messi’s stateside arrival, followed by Supporters’ Shield (2024) and MLS Cup (2025) titles.<\/p>\n But without suspended striker Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> and injury concerns facing fellow forwards Germ\u00e1n Berterame<\/a> and Matteo Silvetti<\/a>, Miami have their work cut out for them to maintain their trophy-winning standard against one of LIGA MX’s top sides as they seek a third Leagues Cup final appearance in four seasons.<\/p>\n Plus, after an early Round of 16 Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> exit to Nashville SC<\/a> in March, there’s pressure to add another piece of international silverware to the trophy cabinet.<\/p>\n 9th in LIGA MX Leagues Cup table Monterrey were unable to overcome French star Antoine Griezmann<\/a> and Orlando City<\/a> in their Leagues Cup 2026 opener, falling 2-1<\/a> to the MLS side.<\/p>\n Griezmann opened the scoring before Tyrese Spicer<\/a> converted a penalty kick to seal the match. Former Chicago Fire FC<\/a> standout Hugo Cuypers netted his first goal for Monterrey with a late tally.<\/p>\n Lucas Ocampos: LIGA MX’s current top scorer, Ocampos is in peak form, having netted four goals in Monterrey’s first three games of the season.
\n3 points (1W-0L-0D)<\/p>\n
\nRodrigo De Paul:\u00a0Hailed as “Messi’s bodyguard” for club and country, De Paul<\/a> (4g\/8a) is enjoying his first full season with Miami after scoring the game-winning goal in last year’s MLS Cup.
\nCasemiro: The most recent superstar to sign for Miami after a legendary European career, Casemiro<\/a> won five UEFA Champions League titles during a storied run with Real Madrid.
\nNoah Allen: The 22-year-old did his best Jordi Alba impression vs. San Luis, providing a hat trick of assists in Miami’s tournament opener.<\/p>\n
\n0 points (0W-1L-0D)<\/p>\n
\nDiego Rossi: A recent addition<\/a> from the Columbus Crew<\/a>, Rossi is a former MLS Golden Boot winner (2019) with LAFC<\/a>. He already has 1g\/1a in three LIGA MX appearances.
\nHugo Cuypers: Departing as the joint-MLS Golden Boot leader this season, Cuypers moved<\/a> to Monterrey from Chicago following the club’s addition of superstar Robert Lewandowski<\/a>.
\nJes\u00fas Corona: The club captain, “Tecatito” is in his second stint with his boyhood club after spending a decade in Europe.<\/p>\n