Nashville SC unveils 2023 Leagues Cup schedule for games vs. Colorado Rapids, Toluca
In July, Nashville SC will host the Colorado Rapids and Toluca FC at Geodis Park during the 2023 Leagues Cup group stage.
The revamped, World Cup-style tournament pitting Major League Soccer and Mexico's Liga MX clubs comes to Nashville on July 23, when Nashville hosts the Rapids. On July 27, Nashville will face Toluca in Central Region Group 4. MLS and Liga MX regular-season play will stop temporarily for the tournament.
Kickoff times have not yet been announced. Both games will be broadcasted on MLS Season Pass in Apple TV.
Leagues Cup tickets at Geodis Park go on sale to the general public on March 30 at 10 a.m. However, on March 13, Nashville SC season ticket members can claim seats to the games via a club email. Season ticket members will have until March 22 to opt of of their Leagues Cup tickets.
Here's what we know about Nashville's 2023 Leagues Cup quest:
How to watch
Nashville's first two games will air on MLS Season Pass. But MLS says there will be "select games" on FOX Sports. The total amount of games on FOX have not be revealed.
What is the Leagues Cup?
All 47 MLS and Liga MX teams will play in this retooled competition, exclusively between July 21 and Aug. 19.
There will be 77 games hosted in the U.S. and Canada. Every match will be decided by win in regulation or penalty shootout. A win earns three points, a penalty shootout win earns two points and a penalty shootout loss earns one point.
The 2023 champion, runner-up and third-place winner will qualify for the regions Concacaf Champions League.
The tournament debuted in July 2019, featuring just eight clubs. In MLS were the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. From Liga MX were Club America, Cruz Azul, UNAL Tigres and Club Tijuana.
How can Nashville SC advance
The top two teams from each group, based on points earned during round robin play, will advance to the knockout stage Round of 32.
The Round of 32 will be played between Aug. 2-4, the Round of 16 on Aug. 6-8, quarterfinals on Aug. 11-12, semifinals on Aug. 15 and the Leagues Cup final and Third Place game on Aug. 19.
2022 Leagues Cup Showcase
In September, Nashville participated in the 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase, beating Club America in a penalty shootout (3-3, 4-2 PKs).
For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC playing two Leagues Cup games at Geodis Park in July
