Premier League

5 Liga MX favorites to win Leagues Cup 2024

Cesar Huerta, Jorge Ruvalcaba

Five Liga MX clubs have what it takes to win Leagues Cup 2024 if they can beat out a few MLS giants.

Leagues Cup 2024 is less than a week away, and all 47 participating clubs from the MLS and Liga MX are hoping to make a deep run in the month-long tournament. Only a handful of teams, though, have the talent, structure, and composure to survive and progress in the knockout rounds. As LAFC and Columbus Crew steal the headlines for Major League Soccer, Liga MX’s Cruz Azul and Club America cannot be overlooked. In fact, the Mexican clubs could become the first Liga MX sides to win the Leagues Cup.

Here’s a breakdown of the five Liga MX favorites to win Leagues Cup 2024.

5. Pumas UNAM

Cesar Huerta, Jorge Ruvalcaba

Pumas UNAM are primed to put in a better performance at Leagues Cup 2024 than last year. / Jam Media/GettyImages

Pumas might have topped their group at least year’s Leagues Cup, but the club did not put forth too many impressive performances. In fact, they won just one match, and then were eliminated in the Round of 32. Fortunately, they are in much better shape to challenge some of the best MLS and Liga MX teams this summer.

Gustavo Lema’s men have already scored nine goals in their first four Liga MX Apertura matches, including three from set pieces. Compared to the four other sides in our rankings, though, they have a tendency to miss big chances that could be their downfall come the knockout stage.

4. Monterrey

German Berterame

German Berterame scored five goals at Leagues Cup 2023. / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Monterrey put in the best performance of any Liga MX side at Leagues Cup 2023, making it all the way to the semi-finals before falling to Nashville SC. The Rayados have proven they can stand tall in the World Cup-style tournament, especially if German Berterame bags five goals again this summer.

Less than two weeks ago, though, Monterrey suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Cruz Azul. If that performance was any indication of what is coming from Fernando Ortiz’s men at Leagues Cup 2024, then they will not best their 2023 finish.

3. Tigres UANL

Andre-Pierre Gignac

Andre-Pierre Gignac will lead Tigres up front. / Jam Media/GettyImages

Back in May, Tigres were one goal away from defeating Club America and winning the Super Copa MX final. In the aftermath of their second place, though, they have already kicked off their next domestic campaign in stellar fashion, going unbeaten in their first four fixtures.

Francisco Cordova’s playmaking and Andre-Pierre Gignac’s finishing will easily exploit the lesser MLS…

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