'System should be clearer and fairer' - Antonio Mohamed slams Leagues Cup ahead of Toluca’s debut vs. Columbus Crew

Antonio Mohamed, head coach of reigning Liga MX champions Toluca, expressed sharp criticism of the current Leagues Cup format, calling it confusing, unfair, and lacking clarity. The Argentine manager labeled the system "a competitive oddity" that undermines the effort put in on the pitch.

"We’re competing for points against teams we don’t even play directly," he pointed out. "So there’s a real possibility of winning all your matches and still not qualifying. That doesn’t make sense."

The 2025 Leagues Cup has adopted a new structure that’s already raising eyebrows. This year’s edition brings together 18 clubs from Liga MX and another 18 from MLS, grouped into two national conferences. During the initial phase, each team plays three matches - but only against clubs from the opposite league.

One unique twist: there are no ties. If a match ends level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to penalties. The winner of the shootout earns two points; the loser walks away with one.

READ MORE:Revamped Leagues Cup to emphasize MLS vs Liga MX

But what’s truly sparked debate is the qualification system. Instead of a traditional knockout bracket or group winners advancing, each league will produce an overall table based on total points - and only the top four from each side will reach the quarterfinals.

That setup creates the possibility of a perfect team - one that wins all three matches - being eliminated due to goal differential or secondary tiebreakers.

Mohamed also highlighted the logistical strain faced by Mexican clubs, who must play all their matches in the U.S., unlike their MLS counterparts. He acknowledged the toll that travel takes on his squad.

"We spent all of Sunday traveling. Today we rest, tomorrow we train - and then play at night," he explained.

Some Liga MX players, he added, were held out of domestic action to stay fresh for the Leagues Cup debut. Still, Mohamed stressed that the circumstances aren’t equal.

"It’s obvious we don’t have the same conditions as the local teams," he said, noting that squad rotation will be key in balancing their domestic and international commitments.

"There are no excuses. We want to go far in this tournament, and we’re going to give it everything. But the system needs to be more transparent and fair," Mohamed concluded.

Toluca will face Columbus Crew, CF Montréal, and NYCFC in the group stage of the Leagues Cup.