MIAMI, Florida – Panama’s Club Atletico Independiente will be targeting another strong start in Concacaf Champions Cup play when they take on the New England Revolution in the first leg of their 2024 Champions Cup Round One series on Wednesday night at the Estadio Universidad Latina in Penonome, Panama.

CAI are making their second appearance in the Champions Cup and first since 2019 after qualifying as 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup semifinalists.

Five years ago, in their maiden Concacaf voyage, CAI had a tournament to remember, defeating 2018 finalists Toronto FC 4-0 in the first leg in Panama before winning the series 5-1 on aggregate.

CAI would ultimately fall 4-2 on aggregate to Sporting Kansas City in that year’s quarterfinals, but not before they registered a 2-1 first leg win, giving CAI two victories in two home Champions Cup matches.

CA Independiente take aim at MLS opposition again

Victor Avila and Hector Hurtado played key roles in helping CAI reach the Central American Cup final four and those two midfielders will be called on again to supply scoring chances against the Revolution.

New England are in their fifth Champions Cup thanks to finishing sixth in the 2023 MLS Supporters Shield standings and back in the Champions Cup for the first time since 2022.

Two years ago, the Revolution advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated to eventual finalists Pumas in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

Game Notes, Stats CAI vs New England
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New England boast a very strong squad, with MF Carles Gil orchestrating the attack. Gil played in two Champions Cup matches in 2022 and led the team in scoring in the 2023 MLS season with 11 goals, while contributing 15 assists.

Tomas Chancalay and Giacomo Vrioni are also two players to watch, with each scoring six goals last season in MLS.

Match Officials CA Independiente (PAN) vs New England Revolution (USA)

REF:         WALTER LOPEZ (Guatemala)

AR1:         KEYTZEL CORRALES (Nicaragua)

AR2:         RAYMUNDO FELIZ (Dominican Republic)

4TH:         MARIO ESCOBAR (Guatemala)

VAR:        OSCAR MACIAS (Mexico)

VAR1:      GUILLERMO PACHECO (Mexico)