Ultimate Guide to Charlotte FC’s 2024 Leagues Cup

July 23, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release

Leagues Cup returns for its second installment after a successful debut last year which saw Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami lift the trophy. As the MLS regular season takes a pause, all focus shifts to the region’s newest tournament.

Charlotte FC fans will remember their competition debut fondly. Last year’s tournament served as a launching pad for a team resurgence that eventually led to the Club’s first playoff berth. Despite playing every knockout match on the road, The Crown reached the quarterfinals but were eliminated by the eventual winners, Miami.

Take A Look Back:

For those needing a refresher or tuning into Leagues Cup for the first time, here’s the rundown. Over the course of a month, all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX (Mexico’s top division) participate in a massive World Cup-style tournament. At stake is a significant cash prize and three spots in the prestigious Champions Cup, where the best teams in the region compete for the title of best in North and Central America.

Here’s everything you need to know for Charlotte FC’s 2024 Leagues Cup campaign.

A Trophy Opportunity

The Leagues Cup offers a trophy, a substantial cash prize, and (perhaps most importantly) a spot in the Champions Cup, the premier continental tournament in the region.

Dean Smith, who has enjoyed successful tournament runs in England’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup, understands the significance of these rare opportunities.

“There are so few options to win things,” said Smith. “The Leagues Cup is one option that our players can win something…

“You haven’t got too many opportunities to win a competition, and this is a really good chance.”

Charlotte have put themselves in prime position in the MLS regular season standings as they head into Leagues Cup. This is a stark contrast to last year when they were struggling through a rough patch in the buildup to the tournament. However, the team was rejuvenated during Leagues Cup and secured their first playoff berth after the tournament.

Ashley Westwood, Charlotte’s captain, has advocated for the team to adopt a similar approach this year. He emphasized the importance of striving to win a trophy while also using the tournament as a means to gain momentum and enhance their regular season performance.

“We need to do the same again and use the League Cup as a force to go deep into the [MLS] playoffs,” emphasized Westwood. “So, that’s the aim. We’re halfway through, and we’ve set ourselves up…