CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2021 – THE ROAD TO CONTINENTAL GLORY
Tigres were the last CONCACAF Champions, and that put on them a magical journey that culminated with their celebrated match against Bayern Munich in the last Club World Cup. However, a weak performance in the Guard1anes 2020 has left the title of the premier continental competition in North America vacant.
A fresh start for this year revives the hopes in all participant clubs for continental glory. There will be 16 teams from 8 different countries, four of which will come from Liga MX. The representatives were selected in extraordinary fashion following the global pandemic. Monterrey and America, Champions and runners-up in the Apertura 2019, will be joined by Cruz Azul and Leon, who were first and second place when the Clausura 2020 got cancelled.
The MLS is sending the holders of their league and cup titles. Canada chose to postpone the final of the Canadian Championship due to logistical problems caused by the pandemic, and picked Toronto FC as the country’s representative. Teams from Central America and the Caribbean qualified through the 2020 CONCACAF League and the 2020 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship, the latter of which was also cancelled and is sending their best performer, not it’s champion.
The tournament will feature a single-leg final to be played in late October, which will be hosted by the highest performing club in the earlier rounds. This tournament will coincide with the 60th Anniversary of CONCACAF, and special celebrations could be set in place by the tournament organizers.
Cruz Azul will be the first Mexican team in scene, and will face debutant Arcahaie, from Haiti on April 6. Leon and America will follow the day after against Toronto and Olimpia from Honduras. Lastly, Monterrey will play against Atletico Pantoja from the Dominican Republic on April 8.
This is the full list of the teams looking to emulate the path that took Tigres to the world stages.
Canada: Toronto FC
Costa Rica: Deportivo Saprissa and LD Alajuelense
Dominican Republic: Club Atletico Pantoja
Haiti: Arcahaie FC
Honduras: CD Marathon and CD Olimpia
Mexico: Club America, Club Leon, Cruz Azul and CF Monterrey
Nicaragua: Real Esteli FC
USA: Atlanta United FC, Columbus Crew SC, Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers
