Love it or hate it, it seems that Leagues Cup is not going anywhere anytime soon as earlier on Wednesday, Major League Soccer and Liga MX announced the group stages for the second edition of the tournament. Set to run from July 26^th through August 25^th across Canada and United States, three CONCACAF Champions Cup berths are on the line yet again.

            The 2023 edition of the Leagues Cup was up and down for the Union. While winning the group stage and making it all the way to the semi-finals was exciting, losing to Messi and Inter Miami in Chester 4 to 1 in a game where overall performance for the team was, to quote Head Coach Jim Curtin, “Not Good.”  The Union rebounded versus Liga MX powerhouse C.F. Monterrey 3 to 0, despite Monterrey playing largely its second team, to take 3^rd place and earn its second consecutive C.C.C berth (3^rd overall). It was a nice consolation prize, but it left fans wanting more.

            This year’s grouping puts the Union with Liga MX’s Cruz Azul, who currently sit in 6^th place in that league and MLS Eastern Conference foe Charlotte FC. Good news for Union fans- it seems as though the Union will have both of their group stage games at home again, which will bode well for them making it through the stage.

            The bad news, unlike last year, is that to win the cup, the Union will have travel and the east will be pretty stacked. Liga MX teams Tigres and Pachuca are in groups on the east side, as are Cincinnati, Inter Miami, and Orlando. As a result, the task of getting to the semifinals this year will be much more challenging.

            I will be breaking down the groupings in a more in-depth article and sharing some more information on some tweaks to the formatting. For now, let us know what you think of the Union’s grouping and their chances in The Leagues Cup by commenting below.  Stay tuned for more MLS, Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup coverage by us in the near future.