ORLANDO, Florida – This Friday, CF Montréal will kick off its 2024 Leagues Cup campaign as the Club makes its way to central Florida to face Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium at 8pm (MLS Season Pass, BPM Sports, TSN 690).
This will be the second edition of the summer tournament as all 47 first division clubs in Canada, Mexico and the United States will compete in the World Cup-style tournament.
In the 2023 inaugural tournament, CF Montréal finished third in its group with two points, defeating Pumas UNAM 2-2 (4-2) on penalties before losing 1-0 to D.C. United
Among the most experienced Bleu-blanc-noir players in Leagues Cup matches is striker Josef Martínez, who played seven games, including six starts, during Inter Miami CF's winning run to the trophy in 2023. Martínez scored three goals and three assists in the competition.
The 2024 Leagues Cup will qualify three clubs for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, where the winner will represent the region at the next FIFA Club World Cup.
This will be Montreal's third meeting with Orlando in 2024. In the MLS regular season this year, Montreal has a 0-0-2 record against the Lions, playing out two draws of 0-0 in Florida and 2-2 in this spring at Stade Saputo.
Last year, Orlando topped its Leagues Cup group (South 2) with five points, above Houston and Santos Laguna. However, Oscar Pareja's club fell 3-1 in the Round of 32 in the Florida derby against Miami.
Like in 2023, regulation wins will count as three points and no draws will be permitted in the tournament. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, each team will receive one point. A penalty shootout will then crown the winner, who will receive an additional point.
Leagues Cup 2024 Groups
EAST
- East 1: FC Cincinnati, New York City FC, Querétaro
- East 2: Orlando City SC, Atlético San Luis, CF Montréal
- East 3: Tigres UANL, Club Puebla, Inter Miami CF
- East 4: Philadelphia Union, Charlotte FC, Cruz Azul
- East 5: New England Revolution, Nashville SC, Mazatlán FC
- East 6: CF Pachuca, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC
- East 7: Atlanta United, Santos Laguna, D.C. United
WEST
- West 1: CF Monterrey, Pumas UNAM, Austin FC
- West 2: CD Guadalajara, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy
- West 3: St. Louis CITY SC, FC Dallas, FC Juárez
- West 4: Toluca, Sporting Kansas City, Chicago Fire FC
- West 5: Club Léon, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids
- West 6: Seattle Sounders FC, Minnesota United FC, Necaxa
- West 7: Los Angeles FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Tijuana
- West 8: Houston Dynamo FC, Real Salt Lake, Atlas
