Graham LeydoneMLS Cup is the third of three eMLS tournaments taking place as part of 2023 eMLS season. The current season is the biggest ever, featuring a $100,000 prize pool, and headlined by the eMLS Cup presented by Coca-Cola on March 12th.
eMLS Cup will be the third of three live-streamed tournaments that each occur over two days and comprise the eMLS season. The season concludes on March 11th and 12th with the eMLS Cup.
Each club will be represented by a professional FIFA player in all eMLS competitions, each seeking to be crowned the best FIFA 23 player in North America. Some clubs are retaining their FIFA player from last season, while other clubs are signing new players to their rosters. The full 2023 eMLS roster can be found here.
Last year's eMLS Cup winner Paulo Neto was the winner of Series One's and Two's $10,000 grand prize. Here we breakdown the 26 players chosen by their respective clubs to participate in eMLS Cup, as well as seeing the squads they've assembled to adhere to the competitions' MLS-based squad restrictions and requirements. You can view the squad requirements at the bottom of this article.
Squad Changes & eMLS Cup Preview
With 26 clubs taking part in the 2023 eMLS season, each club has strived to find the best North American talent to play in the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Playoffs and in FIFAe World Cup.
As mentioned previously, the squad requirements mean the teams will be MLS-themed, but each team has a few interesting differences which could prove decisive when the competition begins.
Paulo Neto - Atlanta United
Paulo Neto was the winner of eMLS Series 1 and 2, and is the defending champion after winning the competition for Atlanta United last year. He is looking to become the first participant to win the competition twice.
For eMLS Cup Paulo Neto has made only 2 changes, FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola in for Base Hero Ginola and Moments Thiago Martins for Path To Glory Degenek.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
xVerde - Austin FC
xVerde may not have progressed from the groups in Series Two, but he's an experienced eMLS player, looking to do Austin FC proud this season.
Austin's representative Xverde has made a number of changes for eMLS Cup with FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola in for FUT Centurions Neymar, FUT Fantasy Saliba and Stories Van Dijk a new look CB pairing for Degenek and Lucio and Winter Wildcards Chiellini to replace Yaya Toure.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Khaled Ali - Charlotte FC
Another competitor who didn't progress out of the groups in Series Two. In eMLS Cup Charlotte will be relying on Khaled Ali to do the club proud as they look to improve on their debut campaign.
Khaled Ali has gone with similar changes to their fellow pros, which includes Thiago Martins at CB, a common choice. It'll be interesting to see how running an identical team will fare.
Khaled has made only minor changes for eMLS Cup, as Path To Glory Nkunku replaces Yaya Toure, Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Cissé - FC Cincinnati
Cisse fell short in the group stages in Series Two, in eMLS Cup he'll draw on all his experience to try to rediscover his 2021 eMLS form for Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati man has gone with a different route for his team, opting for a rarely seen Moments Vela to be a key point of their attack.
Cisse has made a number of changes for eMLS Cup with Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Moments Vela, World Cup Yaya Toure and Stories Van Dijk is brought in.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
GODFATHER - Columbus Crew
Guastella, narrowly missed out on the knockouts in Series Two, Godfather will be hoping to find the form that took him to the finals for the 2020 MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew.
Godfather has made changes throughout the competition, relying on Prime Ronaldo, Dynamic Duo Carlos Coronel, Winter Wildcards Chiellini and TOTT Mbappe, making upgrades to Bale and Ginola when needed.
Guastella has made considerable changes for eMLS Cup Glory, with a brand new backline of FUT Fantasy Miller, Moments Thiago Martins, World Cup Lucio, Phenoms Hakimi.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
KingCJ0 - D.C. United
With reaching the Quarter Finals in Series Two, King will look to go further in the eMLS Cup. As a previous eMLS runner-up, can KingCJ0 go one better and lift the trophy for the first time for DC United?
KingCJ0 has stuck with a consistent squad throughout, making minor upgrades where required.
King has stuck with the majority of his Series Two team and only made minor adjustments for eMLS Cup, as they have brought in Moments Thiago Martins for Lucio and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola with Flashback Ramos for Degenek.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
AlanAvi - FC Dallas
AlanAvi has finished twice in the top 4, can he make himself the champion at last for FC Dallas?
Avila has remained consistent with their team with the ever-present Prime Ronaldo, Dynamic Duo Carlos Coronel and TOTT Mbappe featured.
Alan has made minor adjustments for eMLS Cup, as they also have brought in Moments Thiago Martins for Van Dijk, World Cup Lucio for Kimpembe, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola with Squad Foundations Jones and World Cup Al-Owairan a new look right side in their team.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
JordyReyes - Houston Dynamo FC
JordyReyes will be looking to improve on his 2021 eMLS campaign, Houston Dynamo certainly have high hopes after qualified for the eClub FIFA Series.
Dynamo's man has opted for a very similar line-up to many of his competitors this weekend. He'll be hoping his gameplay separates him from the rest of the field.
Jordy has also opted to stick with the majority of Series Two squad and make minor adjustments for eMLS Cup , as they also have brought in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola with Path To Glory Nkunku for Al-Owairan.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
MaXe - Sporting Kansas City
MaXe will look to bring the trophy home to Sporting KC in his third eMLS campaign.
Popov has consistently made changes throughout the competition, most notably in defence, with Moments Thiago Martins and Squad Foundations Jones brought in, what impact will they have for Maxe.
Maxe has made a number of changes for eMLS Cup success, as bring in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Squad Foundations Jones in for Yedlin, Path To Glory Nkunku for Yaya Toure.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
VillaMore3 - LA Galaxy
VillaMore3 made the knockouts in Series Two and looks to end their debut campaign for LA Galaxy on a high.
The rookie opts for another familiar line-up, but opting for a different formation going with 5 at the back, bringing Moments Thiago Martins to reinforce the defence. Understandably looking to be hard to breakdown.
Villa has opted for a different approach and changes for the eMLS Cup with Moments Thiago Martins brought in and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Phenoms Hakimi and End of an Era Bale to bulk the defence.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Pabs - Los Angeles Football Club
Pabs is an experienced eMLS player, looking to do LAFC proud in his third campaign.
Georgakopoulos has stuck with a settled squad throughout with the ever-present Prime Ronaldo, Dynamic Duo Carlos Coronel and TOTT Mbappe featured hoping to end this campaign on a high.
Pabs feels their squad will do the job, only making four adjustments for eMLS Cup, with Moments Thiago Martins for Lucio and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Flashback Ramos and TOTT Mbappe brought in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
IMCF DonBorrello - Inter Miami CF
IMCF DonBorrello made the knockouts in Series Two and is another in their debut campaign for Inter Miami FC.
Borello has a familiar team, Dynamic Duo Carlos Coronel looks particularly familiar having been selected by almost every contender. He might not have the most outstanding stats compared to someone like Courtois or Neuer, but at least the playing field will be level.
Don has stuck with the majority of his Series two team and with their adjustments mainly coming in defence for eMLS Cup, as bring in Moments Thiago Martins for Ramos, Squad Foundations Jones in for Yedlin, End of an Era Bale and World Cup Lucio in a revamped back 4 and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, with World Cup Al-Owairan in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Lamps - Minnesota United
Lamps finished in the top 4 last year, and was a Finalist in Series One and Two this year — can he make himself the champion for 2023 for Minnesota?
The Minnesota player has opted for a similar approach to their fellow pros, relying on Moments Thiago Martins over Degenek, both CBs proving popular in the competition.
Lamps feels their squad will do the job, only making four adjustments for eMLS Cup, as they also have brought Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Path To Glory Nkunku and Phenoms Hakimi brought in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Loux11 - CF Montréal
Loux11 will be looking to end his 2023 eMLS campaign on a high for Montreal.
Like many others, Largerie has a very familiar team, it'll be interesting to see whether Lucio will need to carry the lower-rated Thiago Martins in central defence.
Loux feels their squad will do the job and stuck with a similar approach to other pros, only making minor adjustments for eMLS Cup, bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, FUT Fantasy Miller and Phenoms Hakimi brought in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Joksan - Nashville SC
Joksan brings a wealth of experience and recent form in the EA Sports Cup and will be looking to bring the trophy home for Nashville.
Joksan has stuck with a settled squad only making two adjustments, bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek and upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
YoungggCarter - New England Revolution
YoungggCarter will be looking to end his 2023 eMLS campaign on a high for New England Revolution.
Theogene has stuck with TOTY Icon Van Der Sar as his GK, it's not something we've seen often here, but it certainly could pay off he manages some of the saves you'd expect from a Goalkeeper of his calibre.
Young has stuck with a settled squad and made minor upgrades bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Stories Van Dijk for Lucio and Moments Vela for Pato.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
doolsta - New York Red Bulls
The 2019 eMLS Champion, will be looking to be the first 2 time champion in the eMLS, this time for New York Red Bulls.
Doolsta has opted for the lesser-spotted FUT Fantasy Hero Capdevila at LB, with his World Cup Hero regarded one of the best cards this FIFA, an upgrade of this nature could prove key.
Doolsta has made considerable changes for eMLS Cup glory, bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, FUT Fantasy Hero Capdevila, FUT Fantasy Miller and Llorente finish off his defence, with Moments Mukhtar for Nkunku too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
NYC Gustavo - New York City FC
Gustavo is an experienced FUT player, looking to do NYCFC proud in his latest campaign and reach the knockouts.
With his Brazilian roots he's opted for as many as four from Brazil; Neymar, Ronaldo, Lucio and Carlos Coronel.
Gustavo has opted for minor changes with Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Squad Foundations Jones for Yedlin and Path To Glory Nkunku for Al-Owairan.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
RemiMartinn - Orlando City
RemiMartinn finished in the top 4 in the 2020 eMLS Campaign, can he make himself the champion at last for Orlando City?
Remi has felt changing his attack for the eMLS Cup is key to glory this time opting for Prime Ronaldo and FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola to lead the line.
Remi has opted for minor changes for eMLS Cup success, with Moments Thiago Martins for Kimpembe, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Ronaldinho, End of an Era Bale for Nouhou, World Cup Al-Owairan for Donovan and TOTY Icon Gullit for Yaya Toure.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
ThiagoCapo - Philadelphia Union,
Thiago is another debutant, with them got the potential to showcase what they can do for Philadelphia Union.
Thiago has been different in midfield opted for the rarely seen Winter Wildcards Okello, where others have gone Winter Wildcards Chiellini, which is a change to keep an eye on.
Thiago has brought in the rarely seen Winter Wildcards Okello, Moments Thiago Martins for Ramos, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Phenoms Hakimi for Jones, FUT Fantasy Miller at LB, with Prime Ronaldo brought back in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
CPTBruno - Portland Timbers
Bruno is another debutant, this time for Portland Timbers, eMLS will be an opportunity to showcase his talent.
Bruno has opted for a couple of rare additions in TOTY Benzema and TOTY Honourable Mentions Valverde, with both rarely seen, this could be key to eMLS Cup success.
Bruno has opted for a number of changes for eMLS Cup with Moments Thiago Martins for Kimpembe, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, a rare TOTY Benzema and TOTY Honourable Mentions Valverde are brought in with Path To Glory Nkunku too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
BENR - San Jose Earthquakes
BENR will be looking to end his 2023 eMLS campaign for San Jose Earthquakes on a high.
Another very familiar lineup, it'll be interesting to see if Jones can hold his own as an 82 Rated Right Back against the calibre of attacking players he'll be up against.
Ben has opted for minor changes mainly focusing on defence with Moments Thiago Martins for Lucio and Flashback Ramos for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
GAdamou10 - Seattle Sounders FC
The 2020 eMLS Champion, will be looking to be the first 2 time champion in the eMLS for Seattle Sounders.
GAdamou has stuck with familiarity as evidenced by the ever-present Prime Ronaldo, Dynamic Duo Carlos Coronel, TOTY Icon Gullit and TOTT Mbappe.
George has stuck with a mostly settled squad throughout and upgraded where needed making 2 changes for eMLS Cup with Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
NR7 - St. Louis City SC
Raseck may be new to the eMLS but brings a wealth of experience and will be looking to bring the trophy home for St Louis City.
Another familiar lineup from Raseck here, the omission of World Cup Lucio, could prove an interesting omission with Flashback Ramos in his place. That said he could well prove to be more effective.
Nicolas has made a number of changes for eMLS Cup, with bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Lucio, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, World Cup Al-Owairan for Yaya Toure, Flashback Ramos for Degenek.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Goal Machine - Toronto FC
The 2022 3rd place player, can he make himself the champion this time round for Toronto?
Goal Machine has opted for a familiar Right Back in Squad Foundations Jones, with Phenoms Hakimi and Squad Foundations Yedlin, 2 common RBs, could the rating and stats of Jones prove key.
Goal Machine, has stuck with mostly settled squad making a few changes to their team, with bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola, Squad Foundations Jones for Hakimi and Path To Glory Nkunku brought in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
Fiddle - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Fiddle returns to Vancouver Whitecaps after not being in the 2022 campaign, can they bring their 2020 Round Robin form to this campaign?
Thornsberry has also gone with familiarity as evidenced by the ever-present Prime Ronaldo, Dynamic Duo Carlos Coronel, TOTY Icon Gullit and TOTT Mbappe.
Fiddle has also stuck with a settled squad, with bringing in Moments Thiago Martins for Degenek, upgrading to FUT Fantasy Hero Ginola for Base Ginola and Path To Glory Nkunku brought in too.
eMLS Cup Team
eMLS League Series Two Team
eMLS League Series One Team
How does eMLS Cup Work?
The 2023 season concludes on March 11-12, with a last chance qualifier to determine the final spot in the eMLS Cup. The last chance qualifier will take place on March 11th. The eMLS Cup will be played on March 12th.
Squad restrictions for eMLS Cup are as follows:
Starting XI Restriction:
- Up to 2 ICON/TOTY players
- Up to 2 non-ICON players with an OVR rating of 90 or higher
- All other players must have an OVR rating of 89 or below
- 4 Current MLS players - MLS Card eligibility will be determined by FUT, if a player has an existing card from an MLS Team then they can be used.
The following conditions also apply:
- MLS Retired players cannot count toward your limit of 4
- 1 MLS Retired player must be used
- Goalie: Your Goalkeeper has no restrictions and CAN count towards the MLS limits
Substitute Restrictions
- Up to 7 non-ICON players with an OVR rating of up to 89
- 5 MLS players must be on the field at all times
How is the 2023 eMLS Winner Decided?
There are 2 eMLS League series. Series 1 kicks off on January 24-25, with remote qualifiers with the Group Stage on January 28th. The final series of bracket games will be played on January 29th, as previously mentioned.
Series 2 will continue on February 7th and 8th with remote qualifiers, then the Group Stage will be on February 11th, and the final series bracket matches will come on February 12.
The eMLS Cup season will conclude in Austin at SXSW, with the Last Chance Qualifier held on March 11th, which will determine the final “Cinderella” participant spot for the eMLS Cup on March 12.
How do I watch and follow along?
The entirety of the 2023 competitive eMLS season will be streamed online. Fans can watch eMLS Cup on March11th and March 12th on the official MLS Twitch and Twitter pages.
The full schedule for the eMLS Cup qualifying matches and final tournament can be found here.