The 2023 Leagues Cup has seen many top sides fall out of the competition, while several teams have established themselves as frontrunners with some dark horses emerging.
As Major League Soccer and Liga MX sides have clashed, the tournament that started with all 47 clubs from both leagues has been full of must-watch entertainment. Lionel Messi has stolen headlines with Inter Miami, while LAFC announced themselves to the world in their opening games.
Here’s 90min’s ranking of the remaining four teams in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
After convincing wins over Club Tijuana and Queretaro, Philadelphia Union had to pull of nervy wins to advance in Leagues Cup.
Jim Curtin’s squad triumphed 0-0 (5-4 on pens) to set up a round of 16 clash against rivals New York Red Bulls, where they prevailed 1-1 (4-3 on pens) to set up a rematch against Queretaro.
A 2-1 success there sees them through to the last four, with goalkeeper Andre Blake showing stellar form.
Nashville’s defend and then spring forward on the counter-attack has served them well so far in the Leagues Cup.
They toppled the mighty FC Cincinnati in the round of 32 1-1 (5-4 on pens) to set up a date with Concacaf giants Club America. New signing Sam Surridge came off the bench and found a 99th minute equalizer to send the game to penalties.
The Mexican side thought they had won in the penalty shootout after the score ended 2-2 in regulation, but VAR showed that Luis Malagon was off his line before the ball was kicked.
Nashville would go on to win after Daniel Lovitz slotted his attempt home from 12 yards out, before they followed that up with a 5-0 demolition of Minnesota.
Monterrey have dominated the competition up to this point in Leagues Cup. They’ve won every game they’ve played and conceded just four goals.
German Berterame has been on fire, scoring five goals and tallying one assist to propel Monterrey to the last eight. New signing Sergio Canales, a longtime La Liga player, scored his first goal, a 97th minute penalty, in their 1-0 win over rivals Tigres.
Rayados will be tough to stop, and their showdown with LAFC proved it. 2-0 down with 22 minutes to go, they came back to dramatically win the game 3-2 at Rose Bowl – Rogelio Funes Mori the 88th minute hero.
Inter Miami have no doubt looked suspect in defense for large parts of 2023 Leagues Cup.
But having a certain Messi in the squad can just about cancel out having a terrible defense. At least, that’s what we’ve seen so far from Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side.
Messi has gone above and beyond in his performances for the Herons, scoring eight goals and banging home a couple of free kicks from distance.
There’s no denying that Miami some of the best quality in Leagues Cup in their attacking ranks, but can their defense hold on long enough to propel them to the final? Only Philadelphia stand in their way now.
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