FC Dallas wraps up group play on Tuesday night in the 2023 Leagues Cup as they host Liga MX side Club Necaxa.

Nico Estevez’s side is coming off a disappointing result in the opener last Friday against Charlotte FC, where they tied 2-2 in regulation before losing 4-1 in the penalty shootout.

FC Dallas will need a win tonight in order to advance to the knockout round.

FC Dallas Notes:

Key player for FC Dallas: Jesus Ferreira - If there was a time for him to step up and carry this team to an important victory, it would be tonight.

Must win: Going into tonight’s match, Charlotte FC is in first place in the group with 2 points, while Dallas is in second with 1 (Necaxa hasn't played yet). If FC Dallas defeats Necaxa, the club would automatically advance with 4 points, regardless of the result between Charlotte and Necaxa later this week1. A loss would end the tournament for FC Dallas.

History against Necaxa: The last meeting between the two clubs was all the way back in 1998. Yeah, MLS 1.0 days, folks. Hell, that may even be more like MLS 0.5 days. But nonetheless, it was in the Concacaf Cup Winners Cup. Necaxa cut the then Dallas Burn’s campaign in that tournament short by downing them 4-1 at the Cotton Bowl.


FC Dallas expect unique challenge against Necaxa

Drew Epperley • Jul 24, 2023

For years, Major League Soccer teams would face a tough challenge when they squared off against Liga MX sides in the Concacaf Champions League tournament. Games would be played in February or March, sometimes weeks before the start of the MLS regular season. Liga MX sides would be well into their seasons at that point, giving them a leg up on the competition

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Nico Estevez stresses need for patience on recently injured players returning

Drew Epperley • Jul 23, 2023

After all the dust settled on the first night of the Leagues Cup for FC Dallas, the one area that some fans quickly saw was how head coach Nico Estevez opted not to bring in some key players off his bench in the draw with Charlotte FC. For weeks, FC Dallas has been wrecked with injuries that have caused Estevez to go d…

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Disciplinary Report

Suspended: none
Suspended after next yellow: none

Availability Report

Out: Tarik Scott (ACL/MCL - season-ending injury), Jesus Jimenez
Questionable: none
On Loan: Colin Smith, Isaiah Parker
International duty: none


Necaxa Notes:

Key player for Necaxa: Facundo Batisa

We discussed one of Necaxa’s main attackers in our preview, which you can read here:

Behind Enemy Lines: Scouting Necaxa 🔎

Drew Epperley • Jul 24, 2023

We all know how the Leagues Cup started on Friday night for FC Dallas. It was a draw that ended up in a shootout loss to Charlotte FC. Now FC Dallas turns their sights to Liga MX side Necaxa in a game that FC Dallas has to pick up three points if they want to advance to the knockout round of this tournament.

Read full story →


Disciplinary Report

Suspended: none
Suspended after next yellow: none

Availability Report
Out: n/a
Questionable: none
International duty: none


Leagues Cup notes

Just a reminder: There are no ties in the Leagues Cup. If a game is tied in the Group Stage after 90 minutes, both teams earn 1 point as they normally would but then compete in a penalty shootout for an additional point. Wins still count for the usual 3 points.

Tiebreakers: As we get closer to wrapping up the group stage, here is a look at the tiebreaker scenarios:

1. Head-to-head match result between tied teams.
2. Better Goal Differential
3. Most Goals Scored
4. Fewest Goals Conceded
5. Clubs Fair Play Table
6. Winner will be chosen by a draw organized by the Organizing Committee


How to watch

📅 Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2023
⚽️ Kickoff: 8:30 PM
🏟 Venue: Toyota Stadium
📺 Streaming: MLS Season Pass
💬 Gameday Social: #FCDvNEX
☀️ Weather: 96, hot


  1. Technically FC Dallas could advance with a draw tonight and a win in the shootout. That would put FCD at 3 points and would require Charlotte not to lose to Necaxa.