South Charlotte Today

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 pauses, 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.

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.

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 leading up 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 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 to be in a real good position... We've just got to not get complacent.”

Dean Smith’s message is clear on the team’s objective for this tournament: “Our mentality is that we are going all out to try and win it.”

Charlotte has recently achieved impressive results against some of MLS's top teams. Now, they are set to face different opponents from Liga MX, starting with Cruz Azul in the group stage, who are historically and currently giants of Mexican league football (and whom CLTFC downed in last year's Leagues Cup knockout rounds).

Competing against foreign teams presents fresh challenges but offers Charlotte another valuable opportunity for growth and improvement as a team. “I think when you play any cross league, cross border games there’s a certain amount of excitement because there is a certain amount of unknown,” explained Smith. “You get used to games and clubs you play against. To play against Mexican teams will be an excellent opportunity to test ourselves.”

The Leagues Cup group stage consists of groups of three teams each. After two matches against other teams in their group, two top teams advance directly to Round 32 while third-place teams are eliminated.

The points system remains standard: three points for wins; one point each for draws; zero points for losses. However, if tied after 90 minutes there will be penalty shootouts awarding one extra point (resulting in two points total).

Charlotte FC’s group features Philadelphia Union from MLS and Cruz Azul from Liga MX.

Charlotte will start their 2024 Leagues Cup campaign on July 27th at Subaru Park against Philadelphia Union with whom they've wrapped up their regular-season series earlier this year - winning comfortably 2-0 at Subaru Park back end May following draw Bank America Stadium earlier year.

Philadelphia had rough start first half 2024 finding themselves last place but bounced back winning last two matches now just outside playoff spots seeing League Cups opportunity continue good momentum turn season around.

Charlotte’s second final group-stage match familiar foe Cruz Azul whom Crown eliminated Round16 via penalty shootout Dallas making upcoming encounter first opportunity face Mexican giants Bank America Stadium since elimination round clash previous edition League Cups

Cruz Azul started Liga MX campaign strong currently topping table three wins one draw four matches coming Queen City revenge mind remembering last year's loss

Should Charlotte FC advance out group they'll enter single-elimination bracket starting Round32 meaning five straight wins required lifting trophy end

Similarly group stages if tied regulation penalties determine winner except final which would overtime penalties deciding outcome

Top three teams final plus Third Place Match winners secure place next Champions Cups

Catch Charlotte FC opener Subaru Park against Philadelphia Union Saturday July27th

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