MLS' Leagues Cup implosion reveals how much work league has left to do

MLS’ Leagues Cup quarterfinals this week ended with Liga MX teams winning all four matchups against MLS clubs, underscoring the gap in competitiveness between the two leagues. The article points to Concacaf Champions Cup history as context: Liga MX sides have won 20 of the past 21 titles, with the Seattle Sounders’ 2022 win the lone interruption. MLS argues calendars matter, but 2026 results complicate that claim. While league-phase records favored MLS at 28W-19L-7D, the quarterfinals shifted largely to neutral venues. Chicago Fire’s 2-1 loss to Monterrey and low attendance at several sites added to the uneven impression.