Leagues Cup is an annual, month-long competition that features all of the MLS and Liga MX clubs in a World-Cup-style competition. The event runs from July 26 to August 25 this year. There will be two group stage games for each team. D.C. and Atlanta United were selected for group East 7. both Santos Laguna (Liga MX) and United (MLS). Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host both games. The single-elimination knockout stage will be reached by the top two teams in the group based on points.
Atlanta United as well as D.C. United in MLS competition, is fresh off victories. Most recently, Atlanta United overcame a deficit to defeat Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup champions, 2-1 thanks to two header goals from Stian Gregersen.
The Atlanta United center defender received MLS Team of the Matchday recognition from the league for recording his first brace in his professional career. In the meanwhile, D.C. United has won consecutive games throughout the regular season. They most recently defeated Minnesota United 3-2 on the road after defeating Nashville SC, a team in the Eastern Conference, 2-1.
Players To Watch
Saba Lobjanidze, the No. 9 in the five stripes for Atlanta United, is a workhorse. Lobjanidze is among the best wingers in Major League Soccer in terms of sprints per ninety minutes, distance traveled, and speed. In addition, he shares the lead in goals (6) and assists (7) with Atlanta United this season. Saba became one of the few players in Atlanta United history to earn at least 20 goal contributions in the first 30 games of his career when he picked up his two most recent assists against the Crew.
Christian Benteke of D.C. United: Benteke has been D.C.’s prolific scorer this season. With 16 goals this year, the striker is only one goal shy of the MLS Golden Boot rate going into the Leagues Cup. This season, he scored three goals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and he recently scored two goals in Washington, D.C. United’s 3-2 victory over Minnesota United, which included the game-winning goal in stoppage time in the second half. Like they did at Audi Field on June 19, when the team defeated D.C., Atlanta United will need to shut him out. United wins 1-0.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.