Leagues Cup isn't yet a one-stop shop for European and South American club scouts, but it could be -- according to club sources -- around MLS .

The 2025 Leagues Cup kicked off last month, marking the third year of its second era since its original launch in 2019. Club sources around MLS widely told ESPN that this "mid-season tournament" in its current two-nation format supports smaller Mexican teams who don't normally play internationally, with a sprinkle of young MLS players who have burst onto the scene.

But sources said a new format this year, pinning MLS teams with their Mexican counterparts in the group stage and quarterfinals, does drive increased interest from those Mexican clubs.

"I will say that we definitely saw a big spike after playing against Tigres in the Champions C

See Full Page