MIAMI, Florida – The 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League returns next week with four teams vying for top club honors in the Concacaf region.
Two clubs who know a thing or two about lifting the trophy will meet in the semifinals, with Liga MX sides Cruz Azul (2013-14 champions) and Monterrey (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2019 champions) set to tangle.
Cruz Azul’s path to the semifinal stage can be summed up by a single word: goals.
La Maquina have been very impressive in front of goal, particularly at home where they have scored nine of their 12 goals.
They started the tournament against Arcahaie of Haiti in the Round of 16, but were limited to a 0-0 draw in the first leg. However, the tables turned in the second leg with a 8-0 scoreline in which eight different players got on the scoreboard.
In the quarterfinal round, Cruz Azul faced off against a Toronto FC side that had eliminated 2020 Liga MX Apertura champions Club Leon in the previous round. But thanks to three goals from Brayan Angulo, a brace in the first leg and a goal in the second leg, Cruz Azul won both legs 3-1 and 1-0 for a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Monterrey also found their scoring stride in the first two rounds. Rayados came up against an improving Atletico Pantoja side in the Round of 16 and emerged with a 6-1 aggregate victory thanks to a 3-0 win in the Dominican Republic and a 3-1 triumph at home, thanks in part to two goals from Vincent Janssen.
The quarterfinals saw Monterrey locked in a battle with MLS Cup champions the Columbus Crew led by former Tigres man Lucas Zelarayan.
It was a breathless first leg between the two sides, with Columbus seemingly set to claim a 2-1 victory on a late Zelarayan goal, only for Alfonso Alvarado to find a crucial 2-2 equalizer in the final seconds of added time.
That was just the momentum Monterrey needed for the return leg, as a Maximiliano Meza first half brace paved the way for a 3-0 home win and a 5-2 victory on aggregate.
