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User:Bmf 051/sandbox/North American League Cup

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The North American League Cup was a proposed combined league cup competition involving teams from the top 2 levels of the Mexican football league system and the United States soccer league system. The idea would have been for a tournament such as this to serve as an additional qualifying route to the CONCACAF Champions League, joining the existing CONCACAF League played between clubs from UNCAF and the Caribbean Football Union. It would have increase the number of games played between American league and Mexican league teams. Due to a number of teams from the United States league system being from outside the United States, the tournament would have involved teams from the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico.

UANL won the tournament, defeating fellow Liga MX side León 2–0 on aggregate in the final, and outscoring all of their opponents by a combined 14–0 over seven games.

Format

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The North American League Cup would currently involve 96 teams (36 Mexican league teams and 60 American league teams) and would be divided into seven rounds, organised so that 32 clubs remain by the third round. Clubs involved in the CONCACAF Champions League during the season would receive a bye to the third round, the remaining first division clubs would enter at the second round, and the remaining second division clubs would enter at the first round. Should this result in fewer or more than 32 teams entering the third round, teams (chosen based on seeding) would be moved from the first round to the second round or to an added preliminary round, as needed. Due to the recent expansion of the U.S.'s second division, the preliminary round is necessary, essentially making the tournament eight rounds long.

The North American League Cup would be played as a knockout cup competition with each tie, except the semi-finals and finals, being played as a single match with the winner advancing to the next round. The semi-finals and finals are played over two legs, with each club playing one leg at home, and the club that scores more goals on aggregate over the two legs advances to the finals. If the score is level after 90 minutes, or if the aggregate score is level for the semi-finals or finals, then thirty minutes of extra time is played, divided into two fifteen-minute halves. If the aggregate scores in the semi-finals or finals are still level at the end of extra time the tie shall be decided by goals scored away from home counting twice, according to the away goals rule. If the tie is not decided during extra time, it is decided by a penalty shoot-out.

In the first five rounds, the club drawn first played at their home ground, and in the semi-finals and finals the club drawn first plays the second leg at home. Teams that are affiliated with each other are not permitted to be drawn against each other until the final.

Seeding

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The seeding for the tournament is based on the following criterion, with teams being ranked based on each criteria in the order given below, until all ties are broken.

  1. North American League Cup title holders are ranked first.
  2. First division teams are ranked ahead of second division teams.
  3. Recently relegated teams are ranked higher than other teams in the same division.
  4. The most recent league champions (if the championship was won in the team's current division) are ranked ahead of non-champions.
  5. Recently promoted teams or altogether new teams are ranked below other teams in the same division.
  6. Teams are ranked based on record in the most recent regular season (on a per-game basis, since different leagues play different numbers of games).
  7. Drawing of lots.

Draw

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For the draw for each round, Mexican league teams and American league teams are placed in separate pots. If the number of teams in each pot are different, the highest seeded teams from the larger pot are moved to the smaller pot. Teams from one pot are drawn into matches with teams from the other pot. This drawing method assures that the maximum possible number of Mexican league vs. American league match-ups are played in every round. It also assures that higher seeded teams are less likely to be drawn against each other in early rounds. Affiliated teams may not play each other until the final.

One exception to this drawing method occurs if two Mexican league and two American league teams reach the semi-finals. If this happens, teams from the same league system will automatically play each other. This assures a Mexican league vs. American league match-up in the final.

Once the match-ups are determined, teams will be drawn to determine home-field advantage in each match. The draw will be conducted in such a way that Mexican league and American league teams will each host approximately half of the matches in each round (if the number of matches in a round is not divisible by 2, the extra game will typically be hosted by the league system with the most teams in that round). If it is impossible for one league system to host half of the matches for a given round (due to that league system not qualifying enough teams to that round), all of the teams from the league system will host their match-up in that round.

Club allocation

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Clubs entering in this round Clubs advancing from previous round
Preliminary round
(48 clubs)
First round
(30 clubs)
  • 24 winners from preliminary round
Second round
(46 clubs)
  • 15 winners from first round
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 23 winners from second round
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • 16 winners from third round
Fifth round
(8 clubs)
  • 8 winners from fourth round
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • 4 winners from fifth round
Final
(2 clubs)
  • 2 winners from semi-finals

Round and draw dates

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The schedule is as follows. The third round matches and the fourth round draw were postponed three weeks from their originally scheduled dates due to the 2017 Central Mexico earthquake.

Round Draw date First leg Second leg
Preliminary round June 16, 2017 July 26, 2017
First round July 27, 2017 August 9, 2017
Second round August 10, 2017 August 22, 2017
Third round August 23, 2017 October 10, 2017
Fourth round October 11, 2017 October 24, 2017
Fifth round October 25, 2017 November 28, 2017
Semi-finals November 29, 2017 January 6, 2018 January 23, 2018
Final January 24, 2018 February 18, 2018 February 25, 2018

Preliminary round

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A total of 48 clubs played in the preliminary round, all from the second divisions of their respective league systems: 14 from Ascenso MX, 7 from the North American Soccer League, and 27 from the United Soccer League.

July 26, 2017 (2017-07-26) FC Edmonton Canada 4–1United States LA Galaxy IIEdmonton, Alberta
Stadium: Clarke Stadium
July 26, 2017 (2017-07-26) UAT Mexico 4–0United States OKC EnergyCiudad Victoria, Tamaulipas
Stadium: Estadio Marte R. Gómez
July 26, 2017 (2017-07-26) Ottawa Fury Canada 2–0United States Indy ElevenOttawa, Ontario
Stadium: TD Place Stadium
July 26, 2017 (2017-07-26) Oaxaca Mexico 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
United States San Antonio FCOaxaca, Oaxaca
Stadium: Estadio Tecnológico de Oaxaca

First round

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A total of 30 clubs played in the first round, all from the second divisions of their respective league systems: 12 from Ascenso MX, 4 from the North American Soccer League (NASL), and 14 from the United Soccer League (USL). This includes 6 teams that entered this round: 2 from Ascenso MX, 1 from the NASL, and 3 from the USL.

August 9, 2017 (2017-08-09) Sonora Mexico 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Canada Ottawa FuryHermosillo, Sonora
Stadium: Estadio Héroe de Nacozari
August 9, 2017 (2017-08-09) Sinaloa Mexico 3–1United States FC CincinnatiCuliacán, Sinaloa
Stadium: Estadio Banorte
August 9, 2017 (2017-08-09) Reno 1868 United States 2–0Mexico UATReno, Nevada
Stadium: Greater Nevada Field

Second round

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A total of 46 clubs played in the second round. This included 31 clubs from the first divisions of their respective league systems who all entered at this round: 14 from Liga MX and 17 from Major League Soccer. The remaining 15 clubs were second division teams who were also winners of the first round: 7 from Ascenso MX, 2 from the North American Soccer League, and 6 from the United Soccer League.

August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Vancouver Whitecaps (1) Canada 2–1United States New York City (1)Vancouver, British Columbia
Stadium: BC Place
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Querétaro (1) Mexico 7–0United States Charleston Battery (2)Querétaro, Querétaro
Stadium: Estadio Corregidora
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Phoenix Rising (2) United States0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Mexico Cruz Azul (1) Tempe, Arizona
Stadium: Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) BUAP (1) Mexico 3–1United States New England Revolution (1)Puebla, Puebla
Stadium: Estadio Universitario BUAP
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Venados (2) Mexico 3–0Canada Montreal Impact (1)Mérida, Yucatán
Stadium: Estadio Carlos Iturralde
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Puebla (1) Mexico0–1 United States Real Salt Lake (1) Puebla, Puebla
Stadium: Estadio Cuauhtémoc
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Atlas (1) Mexico 1–0United States Columbus Crew (1)Guadalajara, Jalisco
Stadium: Estadio Jalisco
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Morelia (1) Mexico 2–1 (a.e.t.)United States Real Monarchs (2)Morelia, Michoacán
Stadium: Estadio Morelos
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Chicago Fire (1) United States 2–1 (a.e.t.)Mexico UNAM (1)Bridgeview, Illinois
Stadium: Toyota Park
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Sporting Kansas City (1) United States2–4 Mexico León (1) Kansas City, Kansas
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Minnesota United (1) United States2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)
Mexico Toluca (1) Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Zacatecas (2) Mexico 1–0Canada FC Edmonton (2)Zacatecas, Zacatecas
Stadium: Estadio Francisco Villa
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Orlando City (1) United States 3–1Mexico Oaxaca (2)Orlando, Florida
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) D.C. United (1) United States1–4 Mexico Santos Laguna (1) Washington, D.C.
Stadium: RFK Stadium
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Monterrey (1) Mexico 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p)
United States Houston Dynamo (1)Guadalupe, Nuevo León
Stadium: Estadio BBVA Bancomer
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Pachuca (1) Mexico 2–0United States Atlanta United (1)Pachuca, Hidalgo
Stadium: Estadio Hidalgo
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Philadelphia Union (1) United States 2–1Mexico Zacatepec (2)Chester, Pennsylvania
Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) New York Cosmos (2) United States 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Mexico Necaxa (1)Brooklyn, New York
Stadium: MCU Park
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Rochester Rhinos (2) United States 2–1 (a.e.t.)Mexico Sinaloa (2)Rochester, New York
Stadium: Capelli Sport Stadium
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Veracruz (1) Mexico 2–0United States Portland Timbers 2 (2)Veracruz, Veracruz
Stadium: Estadio Luis "Pirata" Fuente
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Portland Timbers (1) United States 2–0United States LA Galaxy (1)Portland, Oregon
Stadium: Providence Park
August 22, 2017 (2017-08-22) Reno 1868 (2) United States0–1 Mexico Sonora (2) Reno, Nevada
Stadium: Greater Nevada Field

Third round

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A total of 32 clubs played in the third round. This included 6 teams from the second division of their respective league systems, all of whom advanced from the previous round: 4 from Ascenso MX, 1 from the North American Soccer League, and 1 from the United Soccer League. The remaining 26 first division teams included: 15 from Liga MX (4 entering this round and 11 from the previous round) and 11 from Major League Soccer (5 entering this round and 6 from the previous round).

All matches were scheduled to be played on September 19, 2017 but were postponed to three weeks later due to the 2017 Central Mexico earthquake.

October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Vancouver Whitecaps (1) Canada 2–0Mexico BUAP (1)Vancouver, British Columbia
Stadium: BC Place
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Cruz Azul (1) Mexico 4–1Mexico Tijuana (1)Mexico City
Stadium: Estadio Azul
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Colorado Rapids (1) United States 2–0Mexico Atlas (1)Commerce City, Colorado
Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) UANL (1) Mexico 5–0Mexico Zacatecas (2)San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Stadium: Estadio Universitario
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) FC Dallas (1) United States 2–0Mexico Monterrey (1)Frisco, Texas
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) León (1) Mexico 3–0United States New York Red Bulls (1)León, Guanajuato
Stadium: Estadio León
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Toronto FC (1) Canada 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Mexico América (1)Toronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Portland Timbers (1) United States 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
Mexico Veracruz (1)Portland, Oregon
Stadium: Providence Park
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Sonora (2) Mexico0–2 United States Real Salt Lake (1) Hermosillo, Sonora
Stadium: Estadio Héroe de Nacozari
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Orlando City (1) United States 2–1Mexico Querétaro (1)Orlando, Florida
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Morelia (1) Mexico2–2 (a.e.t.)
(6–7 p)
United States Seattle Sounders (1) Morelia, Michoacán
Stadium: Estadio Morelos
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Venados (2) Mexico 1–0United States New York Cosmos (2)Mérida, Yucatán
Stadium: Estadio Carlos Iturralde
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Philadelphia Union (1) United States1–2 Mexico Pachuca (1) Chester, Pennsylvania
Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Chicago Fire (1) United States1–2 Mexico Toluca (1) Bridgeview, Illinois
Stadium: Toyota Park
October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) Guadalajara (1) Mexico 6–0Mexico Santos Laguna (1)Zapopan, Jalisco
Stadium: Estadio Chivas

Fourth Round

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Sixteen clubs played in the fourth round round. This included 2 clubs from the second divisions of their respective league systems: Venados from Ascenso MX and the Rochester Rhinos from the United Soccer League. The remaining 14 clubs were first division teams: 6 from Liga MX and 8 from Major League Soccer.

October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) Toronto FC (1) Canada 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–1 p)
Mexico Pachuca (1)Toronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) Venados (2) Mexico 2–0Canada Vancouver Whitecaps (1)Mérida, Yucatán
Stadium: Estadio Carlos Iturralde
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) UANL (1) Mexico 2–0United States Portland Timbers (1)San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Stadium: Estadio Universitario
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) Real Salt Lake (1) United States1–2 Mexico Cruz Azul (1) Sandy, Utah
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) Toluca (1) Mexico 4–2 (a.e.t.)United States Orlando City (1)Toluca, Mexico
Stadium: Estadio Nemesio Díez
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) FC Dallas (1) United States0–1 Mexico León (1) Frisco, Texas
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) Rochester Rhinos (2) United States3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
United States Seattle Sounders (1) Rochester, New York
Stadium: Capelli Sport Stadium
October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) Guadalajara (1) Mexico 2–1United States Colorado Rapids (1)Zapopan, Jalisco
Stadium: Estadio Chivas

Fifth Round

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Eight clubs played in the fifth round round. This included one club from the second division of their league system: Venados from Ascenso MX. The remaining 7 clubs were first division teams: 5 from Liga MX and 2 from Major League Soccer.

November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28) Guadalajara (1) Mexico 3–0Mexico Cruz Azul (1)Zapopan, Jalisco
Stadium: Estadio Chivas
November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28) Toronto FC (1) Canada 3–2Mexico Venados (2)Toronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28) UANL (1) Mexico 2–0Mexico Toluca (1)San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Stadium: Estadio Universitario
November 28, 2017 (2017-11-28) Seattle Sounders (1) United States1–2 Mexico León (1) Seattle, Washington
Stadium: CenturyLink Field

Semi-finals

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A total of four clubs played in the semi-finals, all from the first division of their respective league systems: 3 from Liga MX and 1 from Major League Soccer.

The semi-finals were played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home, and the team that scored more goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the final.

First legs

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January 6, 2018 (2018-01-06) León (1) Mexico 4–2Canada Toronto FC (1)León, Guanajuato
Stadium: Estadio León
January 6, 2018 (2018-01-06) Guadalajara (1) Mexico 0–0 Mexico UANL (1) Zapopan, Jalisco
Stadium: Estadio Chivas

Second legs

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January 23, 2018 (2018-01-23) Toronto FC (1) Canada0–2
(2–6 agg.)
Mexico León (1) Toronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
January 23, 2018 (2018-01-23) UANL (1) Mexico 3–0
(3–0 agg.)
Mexico Guadalajara (1)San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Stadium: Estadio Universitario

Finals

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The finals are played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home, and the team that scores more goals on aggregate winning the tournament.

First leg

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February 18, 2018 (2018-02-18) León (1) Mexico0–1 Mexico UANL (1) León, Guanajuato
Stadium: Estadio León

Second leg

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February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25) UANL (1) Mexico 1–0
(2–0 agg.)
Mexico León (1)San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León
Stadium: Estadio Universitario