The best group stage matchups in Leagues Cup 2023

On Friday, the initial three-team groups for Leagues Cup 2023 were announced, and we got our first idea as to what might be the biggest MLS vs. Liga MX summer yet.

The interleague tournament that pits the two top leagues of North America will include all 47 top-flight teams in the region. As a result, the month-long tournament will feature more storylines and first-time encounters than ever before — expanding far beyond the invitational tourney staged the last several years. 

Teams were drawn into fifteen groups of three, based on their most recent ranking in league play. League champions LAFC and Pachuca will not participate in the group stage and skip ahead to the Round of 32.

So what opening matchups should you look forward to? We've compiled a few here, but our comments section allows you to let us know if you agree or if you have your own ideas. 

The matches that should not disappoint

Naturally, the encounters featuring the top teams will draw the most eyeballs. The environments that await also make for compelling encounters.

Portland Timbers vs. Tigres UANL

One of the best environments in the United States with a difficult home side awaits the most expensive team in the region. The Timbers will have a tough game on their hands against the attacking duo of Andre Pierre-Gignac and Nicolas Ibanez. 

Expect the Libres y Lokos to find their way up to Portland in what should be one of the better matches of the group stage accompanied by tremendous support in the stands.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. CF Monterrey

Missing the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time has given us this encounter as Seattle's lower-than-expected seeding pits them against Monterrey. Like crosstown rivals Tigres, this Rayados side has one of the highest-valued squads with five members that represented Mexico at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

It may not be a full house, given that the stakes won't be as high as a CCL match but considering the potential XIs that could be fielded, this one should prove to be a standout encounter.

LA Galaxy vs. Léon

Chicharito and company against a historic Mexican side that should have good support in the city of Los Angeles. Léon would have undergone a season under 38-year-old coach Nicolas Larcamon and that should bring a tough test for the Galaxy. This one should be an entertaining back-and-forth encounter between two historic clubs. Léon can definitely win this one.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Club America

It's the battle of the yellow teams, with one of the better sides in the MLS Eastern Conference against the club with the most Liga MX titles, the Yankees/Cowboys of Mexico. America plays well anywhere it goes and won't be phased by travel or support in Ohio. They will probably bring with them a Mexican national team forward in Henry Martin and USMNT forward in Alejandro Zendejas to combat a former foe, ex-Tigres midfielder Lucas Zelarayan. 

This will be a tough match at home for Columbus.

Nashville vs. Toluca

This will be one of the most overlooked encounters of the Leagues Cup. Nashville and Toluca are similar in that they have dedicated fan bases in their markets but aren't the most popular teams within their leagues. These are two well-built sides that should match up evenly. Nashville has the reigning MLS MVP; what will Hany Muhktar and company do against the Mexican Red Devils and former MLS goalscorer Camilo Sanvezzo? 

Atlanta United vs. Cruz Azul

Two dedicated fanbases should make for a well-attended match. On the field, especially if Atlanta can get off to a good start, we should see an exciting match based on the individual talents on either side. Cruz Azul brings two former MLS players in Uriel Antuna and Rafael Baca, plus former FC Dallas Academy player Ramiro Funes Mori. Atlanta is coached by a former Azul player in Gonzalo Pineda and has a World Cup champ in Thiago Almada.  

Storyline to watch: Pulido faces former club

Alan Pulido won Liga MX, Copa MX and the Concacaf Champions League with Chivas. He was sold to MLS side Sporting Kansas City in December 2019 for a club-record $9.5 million transfer.

Now Pulido's former team will travel to the heartland for what should be a loud sellout Sporting crowd. It's also Pulido's redemption season after being sidelined for the 2022 MLS season. Circle this one on the calendar because AP9 will be up for it.

Close proximity: Austin FC hosts FC Juarez

Less than 600 miles separate Austin FC from borderlands team FC Juarez — the two opponents separated by the shortest distance in the whole group stage round.  Austin FC should have a good home crowd, but Juarez fans might make the drive and tip the ratio a bit. It will be a battle of verde teams but expect Austin to be favored over the likes of Alfredo Talavera and ex-Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC defender Carlos Salcedo.

Thanks for visiting: FC Dallas vs. Necaxa

Necaxa has fans everywhere and the DFW metroplex won't be an exception when Los Rayos visit FC Dallas. To help the cause, both teams share red as a primary color. That should help this game in Frisco fill a bit more seats than it normally would.

'We meet again'

A few teams will face foes from former encounters in international matches.

Real Salt Lake vs. Monterrey

Real Salt Lake will host Rayados for the first time since the 2010-11 Concacaf Champions League final. It may be far removed for the players on the field to want redemption but you can imagine some of the faithful in Salt Lake City will. It's a legitimate underlying storyline rather than two random teams with no prior history.

FC Cincinnati vs. Guadalajara

These two sides faced off just a few months ago in the Leagues Cup showcase. FC Cincy won that friendly 3-1. but this is a different Chivas team. This encounter will also matter more in the bigger picture. Add the Brandon Vazquez saga, with Chivas reportedly unsuccessful in acquiring the player, for some extra spice. 

New York City FC vs. Atlas

NYCFC met Atlas in the 2022 Campeones Cup and meet again here. NYC took a 2-0 victory but has since lost Maxi Moralez. Atlas is also led by a different coach these days, and has former Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas as a potential selection. 

Houston Dynamo FC vs. Santos Laguna

Houston and Santos used to face off back in the days when the Texas side was a regular in the Concacaf Champions League. Not too far from Northern Mexico and the Torreon region, Santos Laguna will have some respectable support in Houston. Already there's a torn family based on this year's encounter.

You have to be a degenerate to watch these

Ok, so what are the rough watches in this tournament? First off, that Central 2 group between Chicago Fire, Puebla and Minnesota United doesn't look too promising. The Loons will rescue part of it if they can get a good crowd, but don't expect Soldier Field to sell out.

East 2 may look good because of the Philadelphia Union, but Tijuana and Queretaro aren't teams that Mexican fans with other allegiances will get excited about. 

Who knows? Maybe these groups will surprise, but I wouldn't hold my breath.