MIAMI, Florida – The latest edition of the Concacaf Club Rankings is out, and the results of games throughout the region’s top domestic leagues, plus the Concacaf Central American Cup and Concacaf Caribbean Cup, have made for many interesting storylines.
The Confederation launched a revamped rankings system earlier this year, with clubs gaining points for results in official domestic league matches, regional cup matches and Concacaf Champions Cup play.
The Concacaf Club Rankings will determine draw seedings for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Further detail explaining the rankings and how clubs earn points can be found here: Concacaf launches new ranking system for region’s clubs and leagues
Club America gain ground on Monterrey for top spot
Five-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners Monterrey remain atop the rankings, but Mexican giants and seven-time Concacaf champions Club America are not far behind, drawing to within a point of Rayados. America have been scoriching hot since the last month’s rankings came out, with five victories and one draw in that six-match span, while outscoring opponents 14-3.
Top 10 remains the same
There was no change in the Top 10 clubs in the Concacaf Club Rankings, as Liga MX made up the majority with eight of the top 10 teams. After the top-two of Monterrey and Club America, it was Tigres, Club Leon and Toluca completing the top five.
The Philadelphia Union are the first MLS team to appear in the Rankings, staying in sixth-place for another month. Liga MX sides Chivas and Pachuca are next, followed by the other MLS side in the top 10, Nashville SC, in ninth position. Rounding out the Top 10 is Liga MX side Atlas.
As noted last month, an interesting fact about the Concacaf Club Rankings Top 10 is that eight of the 10 clubs are already qualified for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup: Monterrey, Club America, Tigres, Toluca, Philadelphia Union, Chivas, Pachuca and Nashville SC.
Herediano, Independiente make moves in Central America
After advancing to the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup semifinals and claiming berths in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, Herediano of Costa Rica and Panamanian side Independiente are two of the new teams to the Central American Top 5 at fourth and fifth, respectively. Herediano and Independiente replaced the teams they eliminated in the quarterfinals, Comunicaciones of Guatemala and Honduran side Motagua.
There was also a change within the Central American Top 5, as Central American Cup semifinalists Alajuelense nudged past fellow Costa Rican side Saprissa for second place in the Central American Top 5. Honduran giants Olimpia remain the top ranked Central American club and are 43rd overall.
Cavalier, Moca among biggest risers in Caribbean
It proved to be a good month for Jamaican club Cavalier and Moca of the Dominican Republic in the Concacaf Club Rankings. Both clubs punched their tickets to the semifinals of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup and have been rewarded with moves upward in the Concacaf Club Rankings. Cavalier catapult up to third place in the Caribbean Top 5, while Moca are a newcomer in the Caribbean Top 5 coming in at fifth-place.
Real Esteli continue to skyrocket
Fans of Real Esteli will never forget their team’s performance this fall in the 2023 Central American Cup, as they won three games in the group stage to reach the quarterfinals and then advanced to the semifinals and qualified for the 2024 Champions Cup by eliminating Costa Rican giants Saprissa in the quarterfinals. The Concacaf Club Rankings has taken note as well, with the Nicaraguan club skyrocketing up 10 spots since last month’s Rankings to 89th overall. Real Esteli have jumped a whopping 25 spots since the Concacaf Club Rankings was launched in July.
Real Esteli provide biggest upset again
For the second straight month, Real Esteli provided the biggest upset in the Concacaf Club Rankings, as their 3-2 aggregate victory over Saprissa in the Central American Cup quarterfinals saw then-99th ranked Nicaraguans upend the 45th-ranked Costa Ricans.
Panamanian league surpasses Canadian Premier League
There was also a significant moment in the leagues rankings, as for the first time one league moved ahead of another in the Concacaf League Rankings, with Panama surpassing Canada, thanks in large part to the performance of Independiente in the Central American Cup.
