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The 2026 Leagues Cup has completed its opening matchday, and the brutal tournament format means several clubs are already staring down potential elimination heading into just their second fixture.
Across the first 18 matches, supporters witnessed a record-breaking Lionel Messi brace, the tournament's inaugural games on Mexican soil, and some remarkable scorelines, including Portland Timbers' thrashing of Puebla—all setting the stage for a high-stakes second matchday.
Here, Sports Illustrated ranks every MLS team following the opening games of Phase One, as the 18 sides face Liga MX opposition while competing in a shared table, with the top four earning spots in the knockout rounds.
18. Seattle Sounders
The Emerald City Supporters' rallying cry of "Come on, Seattle" might need to be replaced with something more anxious these days.
A road defeat to a commanding Deportivo Toluca wasn't entirely surprising, but a flat, uninspired showing in a 3–0 drubbing—the club's sixth consecutive loss—was deeply concerning. Upcoming home fixtures against Tijuana and Puebla are no gimmes, making any hopes of a deep tournament run look highly improbable.
17. Minnesota United
Falling in regulation to a mid-table Liga MX outfit in FC Juárez is far from the position Minnesota United envisioned themselves in. Now, lacking a genuine marquee player, they must find a way to win against Tigres UANL in Mexico to give their third match against Atlante—their most manageable opponent—any real significance.
16. San Diego FC
San Diego FC have gotten their toughest assignment out of the way—a 3–1 road defeat to Club América in the tournament's first match played in Mexico.
That result was widely anticipated, but the Chrome and Azul now have zero margin for error at home against a capable Tijuana side, before wrapping up Phase One against a more vulnerable Puebla.
15. Nashville SC
A club with a strong Leagues Cup pedigree and arguably the best form in MLS this season suffering a 1–0 home defeat to Club Léon was a disappointing result.
Bouncing back will be a tall order, even with Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge in the fold, as a Phase One finale against Monterrey in Mexico looms as a likely must-win—provided the Coyotes can first claim a regulation victory over Atlético de San Luis at home.
14. Vancouver Whitecaps
For a side that appeared to be a genuine tournament contender, a 1–0 home loss to Atlante was a painful blow. Jesper Sørensen's lineup choices reflected his respect for the opposition, and that caution ultimately cost his team.
Even the late introductions of Thomas Müller and Brian White couldn't turn the tide. Friday's clash with FC Juárez is a must-win, as is a road trip to Tigres—though Vancouver at least carry valuable experience from their Concacaf Champions Cup campaigns there.
13. Philadelphia Union
Opening with a defeat is never ideal in the cutthroat Leagues Cup format. Still, the Philadelphia Union, spearheaded by 16-year-old sensation Cavan Sullivan, put in a solid display in a narrow 1–0 loss to a formidable Cruz Azul.
That was their most difficult fixture, and six points from matches against Necaxa and Santos Laguna are within reach—though they'll need other MLS clubs to stumble along the way.
12. New York City FC
Credit where it's due—beating Santos Laguna, Liga MX's bottom side, earns three points, but New York City FC were outshot and outchanced throughout. The victory is welcome, yet the club will likely need to take something from their upcoming clash with Cruz Azul in Mexico—a match that will mark the club's first-ever competitive fixture south of the U.S. border.