Maybe you didn’t know it had gone anywhere or maybe you’re asking “What’s the Concacaf Champions Cup?” The governing body in North America, Central America and the Caribbean opted for a name change ahead of a revamped tournament.
By Jon Arnold
It’s the same name the continental club championship carried for many years, evoking memories of the glory days of club soccer in the Concacaf region, well before MLS existed or Liga MX clubs had started to exert their power.
What’s different besides the name?
This tournament is going to be big. Like, really big. There are 27 teams competing to be the club champion of the region and things will run from today until June 2.
After teams from outside North America played the Central American Cup and Caribbean Cup, and North American teams qualified through league play or cup competitions, the field is full of squads looking to nab Concacaf’s fourth and final place at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup – plus secure bragging rights and start the new format off right.
Isn’t Lionel Messi in this?
Yes, Inter Miami qualified to the tournament by virtue of winning the Leagues Cup, but that also grants Miami a first-round bye.
So, will Messi play in Suriname?
Sadly, no. Well, not unless Caribbean champion Robinhood (yes, you read that right) gets to the final and so does Inter Miami. While Tata Martino’s men qualifying for the CCC sent thoughts of Messi globetrotting dancing through the heads of international soccer lovers, the most likely first game for the Herons is a Leagues Cup final rematch against Nashville SC. Win that, and it could be a trip to northern Mexico to meet Monterrey – or a U.S. Open Cup semifinal rematch against FC Cincinnati.
Of course, anything could happen. Moca, of the Dominican Republic, could spring a surprise on Nashville in the opening round, which might see Messi turn up to the DR. Stranger things – like Austin FC’s loss to Violette of Haiti last year – have happened in the CCC.
Strange things happen, eh? Is there a dark horse to back?
While the CCL was ripe for weird first-round upsets, it was like the old bit about the Germans always winning at the end, except it was Mexican teams. Just once in the Concacaf Champions League era did a team from outside Liga MX lift the trophy, with the Seattle Sounders toppling Pumas to win the 2022 edition.
The change back to the historic name recalls a time when teams from Suriname, Guatemala or Haiti could lift the trophy, but that feels extremely difficult this time around. With a first-round bye and a number of strong acquisitions, including bringing former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell back in the summer, Liga Deportivo Alajuelense, known as “Liga” looks to have the best path to be a non-power team in the late stages.
Within those ‘power’ teams, Liga MX squad Toluca takes on Herediano in the first round for the right to play Suriname’s Robinhood. A semi-final run looks totally possible for the Red Devils, especially with Mexico attacker Alexis Vega back at the club.
And the matchups to root for?
It feels like all the region is looking at the Round of 16 when there could be a Clásico Nacional in Mexico pitting Club América against Chivas de Guadalajara.
Chivas has to weather a trip to frigid Hamilton, Ontario and get past Concacaf veterans Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League, while América must keep its head against Real Estelí of Nicaragua.
Clásicos are always intense and always to be celebrated. One with a quarter-final spot on the line as both clubs look to clinch the region’s final berth to the 2025 Club World Cup would be electric.
Beyond that there’s the rematch potential for Inter Miami against Nashville, Orlando City and the Tigres potentially meeting again after last year’s series and – if things get really wild – all three Costa Rican giants on the same half of the bracket. They’d have to get past tough opposition to get to the quarter-finals but Saprissa squaring off with Herediano in that round or Liga in the semifinals would be some of the biggest matches in Central America in quite some time.
Oh, and a past version of Philadelphia Union against Saprissa brought us one of the most Concacaf moments ever. We’ll see if this year’s Round One clash brings the same intensity.
This week has some of the power Mexican clubs flying all over the region. Tuesday night Monterrey is in Guatemala City while América is in Estelí, Nicaragua – a town of fewer than 200,000. Chivas and Tigres both are packing their coats to square off with Canadian Premier League opposition.
And that’s all before someone travels to Paramaribo, Suriname next round.
Whether it’s familiar faces in exotic locales, Lionel Messi popping up in places you didn’t ever think you’d see him or renewed rivalry between teams in MLS and Liga MX, the CCC should have something for everyone. Sit back and enjoy the big, expanded ride.
(Images from IMAGO)
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