MIAMI, Florida – One would be hard-pressed to find better players at their respective position in the Concacaf region than Club America FW Henry Martin and Monterrey DF Cesar Montes.

These two Mexico internationals are well-acquainted, having battled for many seasons in Liga MX, while also playing as Mexico teammates in last summer’s Bronze Medal-winning performance in the Tokyo Olympics.

Another piece of hardware is at stake for each player in this Thursday’s Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Final, but only one will be walking away with the top prize.

Martin is very familiar with the intricacies of the SCCL, having appeared in 10 SCCL matches in his career, with four goals, including a crucial score in Club America’s 2-0 semifinal second leg win at the Philadelphia Union.

The 28-year-old is a crucial link for Head Coach Santiago Solari in the Club America attack, with a sense of always being around the ball at the right time and an innate ability to connect with the rest of the forward line.

While injuries have limited his scoring output this fall in Liga MX, he poured in 16 goals across 34 matches in the 2020 Torneo Guard1anes and 2021 Torneo Guard1anes Clausura thanks to his speed, strength and power in the aerial game.

However, one thing that Martin has not yet done in his career is score against Monterrey as a member of Club America.

Thursday’s Final presents a new opportunity, but one big obstacle will be the towering Montes. A sure-fire starter for both club and country, the 24-year-old Montes is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Head Coach Javier Aguirre.

Montes has appeared in five games in the 2021 SCCL, three as a starter, and appeared in nine previous SCCL matches, including seven during Monterrey’s title-winning campaign in 2019.

A center back with a superb long-range passing acumen, Montes will be tested against the feisty Martin, in particular on aerial duels in which the taller Montes will aim to use his height advantage against Club America’s danger man.

Their duels on the ground could also prove pivotal, with Montes facing the challenge of trying to stymie Martin’s crafty runs and movement in the box.

With two esteemed Mexico internationals set to battle for Concacaf’s biggest club prize, Martin vs. Montes should make for a memorable duel.