CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2023 CONCACAF Champions League final: another Liga MX vs MLS match-up
Tigres and León will meet in an all-Mexican semi-final in the CCL, with the winners meeting either Los Angeles FC or Philadelphia Union in the final.
Whatever happens, the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League will see a Liga MX club take on MLS opposition. Tigres and Club León will face off in an all-Mexican semi-final, while the tournament’s other last-four clash will pit Los Angeles FC against Philadelphia Union in a Stateside showdown.
It will be the third time in the last four years that the Champions League’s trophy decider has been a Mexico vs US affair.
Tigres, León earn thumping quarter-final wins
Tigres booked their semi-final berth with a 5-0 second-leg win over Hondurans Motagua on Thursday, André-Pierre Gignac netting a brace as Los Felinos completed a 6-0 aggregate triumph.
León also eased through the quarter-finals, their 5-0 first-leg victory proving more than enough to take them past Haitians Violette, despite Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat in the return leg.
With Tigres and León both also in the hunt for the Mexican league title, their CONCACAF Champions League match-up may additionally serve as a gauge of their championship chances in the Liga MX Clausura 2023 tournament.
LAFC and Union to reprise MLS Cup duel
Meanwhile, Carlos Vela and LAFC claimed a comprehensive win over Canadians Vancouver Whitecaps in the quarters, the Mexican scoring twice on Tuesday as the Black and Gold sealed a 6-0 aggregate victory.
Steve Cherundolo’s men will now prepare for a repeat of the 2022 MLS Cup final, after Philadelphia edged out Mexico’s Atlas in the last eight. Julián Carranza’s late goal in Guadalajara clinched a 2-2 second-leg draw that gave the Union a 3-2 aggregate win
In November’s MLS Cup final, LAFC beat Philadelphia on penalties to lift their first ever domestic title, following a dramatic 3-3 draw in Los Angeles. That showpiece event was the teams’ most recent meeting.
US to signal end of Mexican CCL dominance?
If one of LAFC and Philadelphia go on to be crowned kings of CONCACAF in the 2023 Champions League final, it will be the first time that MLS sides have won the continental tournament two years in a row. Before Seattle Sounders’ 2022 trophy triumph, the competition had been won by a Mexican team for 16 consecutive seasons.
CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals: full schedule
First legs: 25-27 April
- Pumas vs León
- Philadelphia Union vs Los Angeles FC
Second legs: 2-4 May
- León vs Pumas
- Los Angeles FC vs Philadelphia Union