January 31, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Colorado Rapids News Release
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids have been drawn with LIGA MX side Club León and MLS side Portland Timbers in the group stage of the second edition of Leagues Cup, Major League Soccer announced today.
“We’re incredibly excited to take part in the second edition of Leagues Cup,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “We’re very much looking forward to the opportunity to face off against some of the top teams in our confederation, all while providing fans with a memorable experience at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in this groundbreaking competition.”
Taking place from July 26 to August 25, Leagues Cup 2024, will be played in the United States and Canada, will decide three qualifiers for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup in which the winner will represent the region at the FIFA Club World Cup. This innovative club tournament has redefined soccer tournament competition, showcasing the best talent in North America and the intensity of the competition.
The Rapids, León and Portland Timbers will occupy the fifth group in the West region. The tournament will introduce a tiered Leagues Cup Ranking system, as well as hubs for the highest-ranked LIGA MX clubs. The Leagues Cup ranking will be strictly based on combined MLS and LIGA MX club performance based on points in the last 34 regular season matches. MLS teams will be ranked based on the 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs will be ranked based on the cumulative 34 matches in the 2023 Clausura and Apertura tournaments. Leagues Cup will maintain its current No Ties format. Each team receives one point if the game is tied after 90 minutes. The winner of the subsequent penalty shootout will earn an additional point. Regulation wins count as three points, with games being decided by penalty kick in case of regular time draw.
Founded in 1944, León, the winners of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup, have an illustrious history. Los Verdiblancos have won the Liga MX Primera División title eight times, Ascenso MX five times, Copa México five times, and have been Campeón de Campeones champions on five occasions. The club is led by Jorge Bava, who previously had a stint with the Chicago Fire in 2017. The squad features former Mexican internationals Andrés Guardado and Luis “Chapo” Montes. Guardado, has represented his country in five World Cups, four Gold Cups, two Copa Américas, and two Confederations…
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