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Liga MX news, scandals dim ‘Super Clásico’ spotlight

By Thomas Buckley

América and Guadalajara renew their "Super Clásico" rivalry tonight at Estadio Azteca, a spectacle that might remove some of the stench of recent Liga MX scandals. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)
América and Guadalajara renew their "Super Clásico" rivalry tonight at Estadio Azteca, a spectacle that might remove some of the stench of recent Liga MX scandals. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX super Clasico week
León players celebrate after winning the Leagues Cup Final against Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

Liga MX and MLS present new Leagues Cup format

As Liga MX club León and the Seattle Sounders of MLS prepared to do battle for the second-ever Leagues Cup trophy in Las Vegas, officials from the two organizations announced plans for an extended, “World Cup-like” Leagues Cup to begin in 2023.

The plan – all 27 MLS franchises and all 18 Liga MX clubs would participate – would force both leagues to carve out a full month from their schedules to accommodate the four-week tournament.

The reaction in Mexico was underwhelming.

Liga MX fans have long dreamed of seeing their favorite teams return to the highly competitive Copa Libertadores, South America’s prestigious club tournament. Liga MX was forced to end its participation in the Libertadores by Concacaf officials who demanded that the Mexican Federation commit to greater involvement in regional events.

The recriminations included dismissal of the new plan as a cheap money grab and criticism that the event would take place entirely in the United States. Critics also pooh-poohed the attractiveness of the reimagined Cup, saying that few people would be interested in a Memphis-Querétaro clash or an FC Juárez-Minnesota United FC showdown.

The timing of the event is also problematic – proposed for mid-summer – as it would overlap with the Gold Cup, the Copa América, FIFA World Cups of all age groups and vacation (in the case of Liga MX). One wonders what players and the respective players unions think about adding games to an already busy schedule.

That night, León claimed the Leagues Cup trophy by overcoming a 1-0 second-half deficit by scoring three times in 25 minutes, then holding on for a 3-2 victory.

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