The Leagues Cup Bracket Challenge present by Coors Light is live, with the first-place winner earning a $10,000 prize, and everyone in the top 15 going home with a prize as well. Here’s the problem: It’s really hard to predict what’s going to happen in Leagues Cup.
The World Cup-style tournament offers teams little margin for error. And while MLS matches have been taking place long enough for us to have a good impression of where each team is at, the four-jornada LIGA MX season before the teams travel north for the tournament doesn’t give us a huge sample size.
Plus, there are the typical variables that always pop up when predicting a tournament like this: Which key players are injured? Which team gels together the best? Who ends up getting a favorable matchup or two along the way?
It really is unpredictable. But, hey, I’m supposed to be the expert, so here’s my bracket that’s sure to win the $10,000 prize (Not really, I don’t think I’m eligible and you probably can beat me to the prize).
The groups
Easily the most unpredictable part of the Leagues Cup experience, there are three teams in each group with the top two moving through.
Some standout selections: I think Austin FC misses out on the knockout stage for the second year in a row despite playing in front of a top crowd at Q2 Stadium. After seeing two Mexican teams in its group last season, this year it’s two more LIGA MX squads with much more historic success to point at. Monterrey will use the Texas capital as its base, feeling at home in front of the numerous Regios in Texas, and grande Pumas is off to a strong start.
Speaking of teams from Nuevo León, I like Tigres to top the group with defending champion Inter Miami. The crowd at NRG Stadium for their head-to-head contest will be fascinating, and I think Andre-Pierre Gignac and Co. can rise to the occasion — though Lionel Messi’s squad should get through as well, with an in-transition Puebla rounding out the group.
Some teams in transition have a chance to punch above their weight. Give me FC Dallas, led by an interim coach, to get past St. Louis CITY, led by an interim coach with FC Juarez, led by mid-Clausura arrival Maurício Barbieri.
Other teams I’m looking at to top their groups include Chivas, despite a rough start to the Apertura, Necaxa despite traveling to face both the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United, and southern MLS rivals Atlanta United and Orlando City.
The knockouts
Club América and the Columbus Crew both await in the knockout round thanks to their league titles, and I think both will get through. After getting to the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup, however, the Crew’s path to another international final looks much tougher. The Round of 16 could bring a contest against Inter Miami or a CCC final rematch against Pachuca. Get out of that game and Tigres is one of the potential opponents.
I’ve got Inter Miami knocking out Wilfried Nancy’s side and setting up a quarterfinals rematch with Tigres — but this time Inter holds the edge. That’s assuming Messi is back to full fitness by then, but the more time goes on, the more likely we are to see him back on the field defending the crown.
América’s side of the bracket shapes up as a little less of a gauntlet. I see Las Aguilas getting all the way to a semifinal contest with LAFC. The Black and Gold could be surviving a number of intriguing matches. I think they’ll get past a pair of LIGA MX grandes on the way to the final — and add a third win by beating América in the semifinal.
While LAFC’s big loss to the Crew last weekend doesn’t inspire confidence, Olivier Giroud may be up and running by then along with Denis Bouanga up top. Call me a believer that Steve Cherundolo can get his back line sorted out and keep Pumas, Chivas and Rayados all in check.
That gives me a Final Four of two coastal MLS teams known for making splashy signings and two Mexico City grandes who recently played for the LIGA MX title.
The champion
I have Cruz Azul lifting the two-bowled trophy. The team is miles ahead of where it was last edition, and even then it was able to get into the Round of 32 and push that match to a penalty shootout.
After a strong Clausura that saw La Maquina finish as runners-up, the club has backed manager Martin Anselmi’s project, acquiring forward Giorgos Giakoumakis from Atlanta United, bringing Mexican fullback Jorge Sanchez back from Europe to replace the outgoing Rodrigo Huescas, and at time of writing held on to winger Uriel Antuna despite European interest after he won the LIGA MX Golden Boot.
Where could it go totally wrong? If FC Cincinnati and Cruz Azul both win their groups as I’ve projected, it will be a tight Round of 16 match at TQL Stadium, with Cruz Azul’s strong defense working to stop reigning MLS MVP Lucho Acosta. Their group is no walk in the park either. Charlotte FC recently topped that Cincinnati team and looks to be finding its rhythm with manager Dean Smith, and the Philadelphia Union finished third in this competition last season.
Think I’m crazy? Fair enough, but let’s see your bracket. Fill it out here.
