To win the Concacaf Champions Cup is never easy, and Sunday’s matchup between Cruz Azul and Vancouver Whitecaps FC doesn’t have a clear favorite, given both teams’ form.
There is pressure on Cruz Azul as the hosts, albeit at Pumas’ Estadio Olímpico Universitario. After falling out of the Clausura playoffs on May 18 and only advancing to the Round of 16 in the 2024 Leagues Cup, the Liga MX side will hope to wrap up their 2024-25 campaign with a trophy.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps head to Mexico City without any pressure.
While they sit atop the MLS Western Conference on 29 points in 15 games, and have beaten Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF and Liga MX sides Pumas and CF Monterrey on their way to Sunday, the matchup still feels like a miracle run for the Canadian side.
As for history in the tournament, Cruz Azul have far more, with six Concacaf Champions Cup titles, compared to the Whitecaps, whose trophy cabinet is relatively barren, having only four Canadian Championship titles since joining MLS in 2011.
Regardless, both teams will believe they can win the title on Sunday night, bringing not only glory to their club, but bragging rights to their respective league in the ever-lasting battle between MLS and Liga MX.
takes a look at three key storylines.
