How many times have Columbus Crew reached the Champions Cup semi-finals?

After beating Tigres in the quarter-finals, Columbus Crew have gone down in franchise history by reaching the last four of the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time. In the semi-finals, the 2023 MLS Cup winners will Monterrey - and will be out for revenge on the Mexicans.

Can Columbus emerge from Mexico-dominated final four?

As their pursuit of a first ever CONCACAF title continues, Columbus have become MLS’ last hope of success in the Champions Cup this term. They are the league’s only remaining team in the competition, which was last won by an MLS side in 2022, when Seattle Sounders defeated Pumas in the trophy decider.

This year’s other semi-final tie is an all-Liga MX affair, with Club América and Pachuca level at 1-1 after Tuesday’s first leg.

“We have a clear vision as a club of what we want to do and how we can achieve it, and we can continue to write our story and evoke emotions,” Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the Crew’s penalty shootout win over Tigres earlier this month.

“With humility, I’m very proud of what we have accomplished together during the past year, but most importantly, I am pleased with how we are focused on growing together and working to improve as a team and individuals.”

Columbus Crew’s record in the CONCACAF Champions Cup

Columbus made their debut in the tournament in 2003. The Ohioans reached the quarter-finals, before being dumped out thanks to a 6-0 first-leg defeat by Mexican club Morelia. The Crew went on to win the return leg, but a 2-0 victory in Columbus was not nearly enough to overhaul their huge deficit.

In the 2009/10 season, during the 16-year period in which the tournament was known as the Champions League, a Liga MX club once again ended Columbus’ dreams of continental glory. The Crew drew 2-2 with Toluca in the first leg of the quarter-finals, but bowed out after a 3-2 reverse in the second leg.

A year later, Columbus were again eliminated in the last eight, after losing 4-1 on aggregate to fellow MLS club Real Salt Lake, who later lost the final to Monterrey.

And it was Rayados who accounted for the Crew the the last time they featured in CONCACAF’s elite men’s club tournament, in 2021. Drawn together in the quarter-finals, the teams played out a 2-2 stalemate in Ohio, before Monterrey swept to a 3-0 victory in the return in Mexico.

Columbus Crew vs Monterrey: start time, how to watch

Columbus Crew and Monterrey meet at Lower.com Field today, Wednesday 24 April 2024, with kick-off in Ohio scheduled for 8:15pm ET/5:15pm PT. Viewers in the United States can watch the game on Fox Sports 1 and TUDN USA, and your streaming options include fuboTV, which offers new users a free trial.