MLS vs. Liga MX: What the Leagues Cup Odds Are Telling Us

The rivalry between MLS and Liga MX has been debated for years.

Which league is stronger? Has MLS finally closed the gap? And when clubs from the two leagues meet directly, how much does reputation still matter?

The 2026 Leagues Cup gives us another opportunity to find out.

This year's tournament features 18 qualified MLS clubs and all 18 Liga MX clubs, with every Phase One match featuring an MLS team against a Liga MX opponent. The top four teams from each league's separate table advance to the quarterfinals.

And heading into the final round of Phase One, some of the odds are beginning to tell an interesting story.

MLS Is No Longer the Clear Underdog

Historically, Liga MX has carried the stronger reputation in North American club soccer.

Mexican clubs dominated Concacaf's top club competition for years, while MLS spent much of its history trying to close the gap financially, technically and competitively.

Leagues Cup, however, has painted a different picture.

Inter Miami won the expanded tournament in 2023. Columbus Crew followed in 2024. Seattle Sounders made it three straight MLS champions in 2025.

So when Cincinnati enters a match against Atlas as a significant favorite, it isn't as surprising as it might have been several years ago.

FTK Leagues Cup Predictions

Here is how we currently see the remaining MLS vs. Liga MX matchups:

Charlotte vs. Pachuca FTK: Charlotte 2–0

Columbus vs. Pumas FTK: Columbus 2–1

FC Cincinnati vs. Atlas. Cincinnati enters as one of the stronger favorites of the round. FTK: Cincinnati 3–0

Minnesota vs. Atlante FTK: Minnesota 2–1

RSL vs. Juárez FTK: Juárez 2–1

Vancouver vs. Tigres FTK: Tigres 2–1

Orlando vs. Atlético San Luis FTK: Orlando 2–1

Inter Miami vs. León FTK: Miami 3–1

Nashville vs. Monterrey FTK: Monterrey 2–1

Dallas vs. Toluca FTK: Toluca 3–1

LAFC vs. Querétaro FTK: LAFC 2–0

San Diego vs. Puebla FTK: San Diego 2–1

Seattle vs. Chivas FTK: Seattle 2–1

Philadelphia vs. Santos Laguna FTK: Philadelphia 2–0

NYCFC vs. Necaxa FTK: NYCFC 2–1

Chicago vs. Cruz Azul FTK: Cruz Azul 2–1

Austin vs. Club América FTK: América 3–1

Portland vs. Tijuana FTK: Tijuana 2–1

What We Think Happens

Our predictions give MLS the edge in 11 of the 18 matchups, with Liga MX favored in seven.

That doesn't mean MLS has suddenly become the unquestionably stronger league.

The top Liga MX clubs — América, Tigres, Toluca, Monterrey and Cruz Azul among them — remain extremely difficult opponents. But the middle of MLS has become increasingly capable of competing with the middle of Liga MX.

That may be the bigger story.

For years, the MLS-Liga MX debate focused on whether the best MLS team could beat one of Mexico's giants.

Now the question may be changing:

Which league is deeper from top to bottom?

Leagues Cup gives us 54 MLS-vs.-Liga MX matches in Phase One alone to begin answering it.

And this time, MLS isn't simply trying to prove it belongs.

It's trying to prove the balance of power in North American club soccer is actually changing.

Fieldtalk prediction: MLS sends at least two clubs to the semifinals — but don't be surprised if a Liga MX heavyweight is waiting for them.