NYCFC knows more information about the 2025 Leagues Cup | OneFootball

On Tuesday, New York City FC and the rest of the 18 Major League Soccer teams that will participate in the Leagues Cup found out who they will play in the first round. As one will recall, the Pigeons found out about two weeks ago that they will be back in the U.S. Open Cup while also competing in the Leagues Cup during the 2025 season.

While the U.S. Open Cup is the same, with the exception that not every American MLS side will be in the tournament again, the Leagues Cup has changed. Only the top nine teams from each MLS conference will play in the newer tournament. The only exception is San Diego FC, for the Vancouver Whitecaps are already playing in two tournaments, which is the maximum MLS teams are allowed to play.

Since 18 MLS and 18 Liga MX sides are playing in the Leagues Cup, the first round, known as Phase One, has changed. Each team will play three matches against teams in the opposite league. They will then compete to earn the most points in their own league, for the top four sides will move on into the knockout rounds.

NYCFC knows who they will play in the Leagues Cup

Now, NYCFC has found out more information about their Leagues Cup journey in 2025. This includes the three teams they will face in Phase One and where they will play.

The Pigeons will begin the Leagues Cup at Sports Illustrated Stadium, formerly Red Bull Arena, on Tuesday, July 29. The first opponent is Club Puebla, who finished the Apertura in 15th place and sits in 14th in the Clausura. The Liga MX side has struggled over the last year and a half.

They will remain in New Jersey for the second match when they face Club León. NYCFC will play this fixture on Friday, August 1. The game will probably have a high turnout, especially for fans of the opposition, since Colombian star James Rodríguez now plays for León. It is also a Friday night match in the middle of the summer. Fans of the Boys in Blue do not tend to travel to Sports Illustrated Stadium since it is their rival's home. However, this might be a match to show up in full force.

Finally, Phase One will thankfully conclude at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, August 5. NYCFC will end the round with what might be their toughest battle against Deportivo Toluca F.C., who finished the recent Apertura in second place. The Bronx team will face a few familiar faces in former MLS players Frankie Amaya and Héctor Herrera.

Since Toluca has hosting privileges, it is possible NYCFC fans will have fewer tickets available when they face off at Yankee Stadium. More information about ticketing will be released later on.

NYCFC will aim to improve on their run of last year's Leagues Cup when they begin the tournament. It will be difficult to get out of the first round since only four teams from each league will move on. Still, they made the quarterfinals last season; perhaps they can do it again.