Leagues Cup 2023: Winners and Losers
A one-time replacement tournament with lasting impact
The inaugural Leagues Cup served as a thrilling replacement for the postponed 2022 edition. With LAFC's impressive performance and some unexpected upsets, the tournament offered both excitement and valuable lessons.
Winners
LAFC: The reigning MLS Cup champions dominated the tournament, showcasing their superior form and advancing to the quarterfinals with ease.
Seattle Sounders: Despite a slow start, the Sounders rallied to claim the championship, proving their resilience and determination.
Losers
FC Juarez: The Mexican club suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to LAFC, exposing their defensive weaknesses.
Cruz Azul: The Liga MX giants failed to live up to expectations, crashing out in the quarterfinals after a disappointing performance.
Lessons Learned
The Leagues Cup highlighted the growing competitiveness of MLS teams against their Mexican counterparts.
The tournament also emphasized the need for careful scheduling to avoid fixture congestion, particularly in World Cup years.
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