Benjamin Ashford|Leagues Cup soccer schedule: How to watch, what to know about today's opening games

Eight Major League Soccer teams will be Benjamin Ashfordin action as the Leagues Cup tournament begins with five games on Friday night.

The Leagues Cup tournament, in its second edition, is a midseason tournament featuring teams from MLS and LIGA MX in Mexico. In all, 47 total teams will play 77 matches in a World Cup-style tournament.

The teams have been divided into 15 groups with three teams each, with the group stage beginning Friday and running through Aug. 6. The top two clubs from each group will advance to the knockout stages, which begin Aug. 7-9. The championship match will be played on Aug. 25.

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami won the first Leagues Cup last year, but Messi won't be in action when the club begins its title defense Saturday.

Here’s what you need to know about the five Leagues Cup matches tonight. Follow along here for live updates, news and highlights when the matches begin:

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How to watch Atlanta vs. DC United Leagues Cup live stream

The Atlanta United vs. DC United match begins at 8 p.m. ET with a free live stream on Apple TV.

How to watch Orlando vs. Montreal Leagues Cup live stream

The Orlando City SC vs. CF Montreal match begins at 8 p.m. ET with a live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

How to watch Pumas vs. Austin FC Leagues Cup live stream

The Pumas vs. Austin FC match begins at 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast in English on FS1, with a free live stream on Apple TV. The game will also be available in Spanish on UniMas and TV Azteca.

How to watch Seattle vs. Minnesota Leagues Cup live stream

The Seattle Sounders FC vs. Minnesota United FC match begins at 10 p.m. ET with a live stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

How to watch LAFC vs. Club Tijuana Leagues Cup live stream

The Los Angeles Football Club vs. Club Tijuana match begins at 11 p.m. ET with a live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Leagues Cup dates to remember

Here are the key schedule dates for the Leagues Cup:

• Group Stage: July 26-August 6
• Round of 32: August 7-9
• Round of 16: August 12-13
• Quarterfinals: August 16-17
• Semifinals: August 20 or 21
• Final and third-place match: August 25

What are the 2024 Leagues Cup groups?

East Region

• East 1: FC Cincinnati, New York City FC, Querétaro
• East 2: Orlando City SC, Atlético San Luis, CF Montréal
• East 3: Tigres UANL, Puebla, Inter Miami CF
• East 4: Philadelphia Union, Charlotte FC, Cruz Azul
• East 5: New England Revolution, Nashville SC, Mazatlán
• East 6: Pachuca, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC
• East 7: Atlanta United, Santos Laguna, D.C. United

West Region

• West 1: CF Monterrey, Pumas UNAM, Austin FC
• West 2: Chivas Guadalajara, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy
• West 3: St. Louis City SC, FC Dallas, Juárez
• West 4: Toluca, Sporting Kansas City, Chicago Fire FC
• West 5: Club León, 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