CONCACAF
Liga MX dominates MLS in Concacaf introduces dynamic new ranking system
CF Monterrey, Club América and Los Angeles FC take the top three spots in the newly released classification across the region.
Concacaf, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has ushered in a new era of club and league assessment with the launch of what they are calling an ‘innovative new ranking system’. This approach will have far-reaching implications, particularly in determining draw seedings for official Concacaf club competitions, beginning with the highly anticipated 2023 Central American and Caribbean Cups, and the expanded Concacaf Champions League set for the following year.
The introduction of dynamic rankings marks a significant step forward, with regular updates incorporating results from international club competitions, domestic leagues, and cup matches. And fans can keep a close eye on what’s what via the Concacaf.com website.
New Concacaf club ranking system: an explainer
The foundation of the new ranking system is based on the performances of men’s clubs in the region since 2017 across a range of official international and domestic club competitions. Notable tournaments include the prestigious Concacaf Champions League, the Concacaf Regional Cups (such as the Leagues Cup, Central American Cup, and Caribbean Cup), domestic first-division professional leagues, Member Association Cups (which qualify for Concacaf competitions), and the FIFA Club World Cup. You can check out a video explanation on YouTube.
The rankings evolve continuously, with ongoing performances in the current 2023 season and subsequent years shaping the club standings. To maintain a fair balance, the weightage assigned to each competition carefully considers the significance of international matches, awarding greater ranking points compared to domestic league and cup encounters.
Calculating the ranking points involves a sophisticated formula that enables clubs to anticipate the potential impact of each match outcome. Victories, draws, or defeats contribute to the gains or losses in ranking points, with the magnitude determined by the relative rankings of the teams involved. Additionally, the home-field advantage serves as an additional factor in the rankings formula, adding an intriguing dimension to the assessments.
Liga MX strong against MLS
A noteworthy observation is the dominance of Liga MX clubs in the classification. As the rankings stand, seven out of the top ten teams hail from Liga MX, showcasing the league’s strength within the region. The MLS has also made a strong presence, with three teams securing their spots in the top ten.
The comprehensive Concacaf club ranking, showcasing the relative strengths of the clubs, is available for all to explore on the official Concacaf website.
Concacaf’s new league ranking
In parallel to the individual club ranking, Concacaf is also unveiling the league ranking index, providing an assessment of the overall strength of domestic professional leagues. This evaluation focuses exclusively on the performances of league clubs in international competitions.
The league ranking solely considers international matches, with greater weightage given to matches from the illustrious Concacaf Champions League, awarding twice the points compared to the Concacaf Regional Cups.