Liga MX vs MLS in the CONCACAF Champions Cup: the story so far
Liga MX has historically dominated, but in recent years MLS teams have narrowed the gap in the Champions Cup.
The rivalry between Liga MX and Major League Soccer clubs grows stronger every year. The two leagues now share more and more official stages to face off, yet one competition - the CONCACAF Champions Cup - has always delivered some of the most memorable clashes between both sides of the continent.
Mexico vs MLS: Champions Cup records compared
The tournament was founded in 1962 with the goal of bringing together the top clubs from across North America. When it comes to trophies, there’s simply no comparison between Mexico and the U.S. Mexican teams have lifted the cup 39 times - including an astonishing 16‑year dynasty from 2006 to 2021 - while American clubs have been crowned champions only three times.
Although the competition has gone through several format changes over the decades, every era has produced its share of unforgettable knockout battles. Since 2008, there have been 79 knockout series between the leagues, with Liga MX winning 58 and MLS taking 21.
How the Champions Cup dynamic is changing
While the overall history tilts heavily toward Mexico, the head‑to‑head balance has tightened dramatically since 2018: 23 wins for Liga MX sides and 20 for MLS. The shift stems from the removal of the group stage in favor of straight-to-knockout play, combined with massive investment in the American game. The impact is clear: MLS’ success rate in knockout series against Mexican clubs jumped from a meager 10% (2008-2017) to a respectable 35.5% over the past seven years.
New chapters being written
This week, the rivalry adds three more high‑stakes showdowns in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Club América heads to a notoriously tough venue as they visit Philadelphia Union, while Toluca faces tournament debutant San Diego FC in a matchup that promises fireworks. Finally, Tigres travel to take on FC Cincinnati, aiming to impose their pedigree in one of the most hostile environments in American soccer.
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