Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals picture: First-leg results, second-leg schedule and what’s at stake

The first legs of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals are in the books, and the road to the semifinals is beginning to take shape across North America.

With decisive second legs just days away, several heavyweight clubs remain on course for a showdown, while others are staring at uphill battles to keep their hopes alive.

América’s task clear

After a scoreless draw against Nashville SC at GEODIS Park, Club América returns home knowing the margin for error is razor thin. The Liga MX giants must win at Mexico City’s Estadio Ciudad de México without conceding to advance.

If they get the job done, a semifinal clash could await against Toluca’s Red Devils, who took an early edge in their series with a win over the LA Galaxy.

However, there is still a twist in that storyline. Should América stumble, Nashville SC could instead punch its ticket and face Toluca in the next round.

LAFC in control, Cruz Azul in trouble

On the other side of the bracket, LAFC has put one foot firmly in the semifinals after a dominant win over Cruz Azul in Los Angeles.

Now, Cruz Azul faces a daunting task. The Mexican side must deliver a lopsided victory in the return leg at Estadio Cuauhtémoc and keep LAFC off the scoreboard to have any chance of advancing.

Tigres hold edge as Seattle faces steep climb

Tigres appears set for a semifinal meeting with LAFC, but there is still work to do.

Seattle Sounders must score at least three goals in the second leg to eliminate the Liga MX side, all while preventing Tigres from finding the net at Lumen Field. It is a tall order against one of the region’s most experienced clubs.

When are the second legs?

The decisive matches are right around the corner, with all four series set to conclude next week.

On Tuesday, April 14, Cruz Azul hosts LAFC at Estadio Cuauhtémoc, while Club América welcomes Nashville SC later that same day in Mexico City.

The following night, Wednesday, April 15, Toluca travels to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy, and Seattle hosts Tigres at Lumen Field with a semifinal spot on the line.

With narrow margins and high stakes across the board, the Concacaf Champions Cup is heading for a thrilling finish to the quarterfinal stage.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.