CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Why are América the away team in Champions Cup semi-final second leg?
Club América are to take on Pachuca in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals, in an all-Liga MX clash.
After both earning comprehensive aggregate wins in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Pachuca and Club América will meet in an all-Mexican semi-final.
Having thrashed Costa Ricans Herediano 5-0 in the opening leg of the last eight, Pachuca completed a 7-1 aggregate victory on Wednesday, Bryan González and Salomón Rondón netting for the five-time CONCACAF champions.
Meanwhile, América clinched a 9-2 aggregate triumph over New England Revolution, beating the MLS franchise 5-2 in the teams’ quarter-final return at the Estadio Azteca.
Five different players were on target for Las Águilas on Wednesday - Diego Valdés, Julián Quiñones, Henry Martín, Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez - as André Jardine’s men continued their pursuit of the eighth continental crown in the club’s history.
When do Pachuca and América meet in the semi-finals?
The semi-final first leg is to be played on 23/24/25 April, with Pachuca visiting América. Los Tuzos will then be at home for the second leg, which is scheduled for 30 April, or 1/2 May.
CONCACAF is yet to confirm the exact dates and kick-off times of the semi-finals.
Why are América away in the second leg?
According to CONCACAF’s Champions Cup rules, home advantage in the second leg of the competition’s two-legged quarter-final and semi-final ties goes to the club with the better record in games played since the conclusion of the first round.
Teams’ performances are ranked by awarding them three points for a win, and one point for a draw.
América picked up one point fewer than Pachuca across the last 16 and the quarter-finals, so it is Guillermo Almada’s team who get the theoretical benefit of playing the semi-final decider on home turf.
Pachuca earned 10 points by winning three games and drawing one, while América’s three wins and a defeat left them with nine points.
Who will América or Pachuca meet in the Champions Cup final?
The winners of the semi-final tie will progress to a Champions Cup final against Americans Columbus Crew or fellow Mexicans Monterrey. Columbus and Monterrey face off in the last four after eliminating Pumas and Inter Miami, respectively.
The final, which CONCACAF says is to be played over a single leg at a neutral venue, is to be held on 2 June.
The victors in the trophy decider will qualify for the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. As winners of the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, however, Monterrey have already booked their place at the 2025 tournament.
If Rayados secure their sixth CONCACAF title in June, the 2024 Champions Cup’s Club World Cup berth will go to the highest non-Mexican team in CONCACAF’s club rankings.