What to know about NYCFC and the 2024 edition of the Leagues Cup

New York City FC and the rest of Major League Soccer will join Liga MX on a break from their regular seasons for the Leagues Cup. As a reminder, the newer summer tournament has every team from the two leagues and has been a little controversial. Fans in the United States prefer the U.S. Open Cup, for they see this tournament as a money-grabber. Alas, the Leagues Cup is here to stay, at least for now.

The tournament begins for NYCFC this Sunday. The Pigeons are in a group with FC Cincinnati and Querétaro F.C., making their group a challenge. While the top two teams advance into the knockout stage, it is questionable whether the Bronx side will make it out of their group. Ideally, based on the schedule, they will.

Since the Leagues Cup is still new, here is a look at some things NYCFC fans should know about the tournament.

What to know about the Leagues Cup

The schedule for the group round

The Boys in Blue have a nice schedule for the group round. NYCFC will first play against Liga MX side Querétaro F.C. on Sunday, July 28. Luckily, they do not play on Matchday 2 of the group round. Their next game is on Monday, August 5 against FC Cincinnati. This is good since the Bronx team will know exactly what they must do to move on into the knockout stages.

Notably, the Cup will have some games on other channels, not just on Apple TV. Fans can catch the first fixture on FS1 and the second will only be on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass. However, it will be available for free.

The knockout round

As mentioned, 32 teams will play in the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup. The top two teams of each group will move on, so 30 teams, and the two champions of the two leagues that had a bye, make up the 32.

If NYCFC makes it to the group round, then they will start the Round of 32 on or after August 7. The knockout round will continue through August 25 with the Championship game.

Hopefully, the Pigeons will make it further than the Round of 32, where they lost to the New York Red Bulls last year. Otherwise, they will have to schedule a friendly or two before resuming the MLS season.

How the points work

Like last year, NYCFC and the other teams have the opportunity to earn two points. As always, wins will see teams earn three points while they will earn nothing with losses. However, in the case of a draw, teams will enter a penalty kick shootout. The team that loses the shootout keeps the usual one point they would end in a draw while the winning team will earn two.

NYCFC's opponents

Of course, everyone knows FC Cincinnati. After dominating the Ohio team during their first few seasons in MLS, NYCFC has struggled recently against the team. The last time the Bronx side won was in 2021, and they were beaten in all of the games in 2023. They also lost the first match this year.

There is a reason Cincinnati won the Supporters' Shield last season and is in second place in the Eastern Conference in 2024. Since NYCFC will be on the road, it is difficult to see them leaving with any points.

That is why the Boys in Blue must win their first game at home against Querétaro F.C. if they want a chance to move on. The Liga MX team finished the Apertura of the season in 14th place and the Clausura in tenth. Right now, with four games played so far in the regular season, they are in last place.

Based on the standings, NYCFC has a chance to beat Querétaro F.C. this weekend. This is the game that the players must do everything to win.