Lloris, Brunetta, Paulinho headline Champions Cup Semifinals Best XI
A revision of the best performers from the Champions Cup Semifinals.
MIAMI – The Semifinals of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup concluded with the final two clubs set to face off in the Final.
There were many excellent individual performances, yet these 11 players stood out the most in their respective positions.
Goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris, Los Angeles FC - The French World Cup winner was one of the top performers despite Los Angeles FC missing out on the coveted Final. Lloris made two saves in the first leg, followed by a remarkable 11 saves in the second leg, for 13 total in the Semifinals.
Defenders
Bruno Méndez, Deportivo Toluca FC – Méndez was vital at the back for Toluca to advance to the Final. The defender played the full 180 minutes of the series against LAFC, contributing four tackles, three interceptions, and helping Los Diablos Rojos secure a valuable clean sheet in a 4-nil route in the second leg.
Everardo López, Deportivo Toluca FC – López was another key member of Toluca’s backline. He featured the full 180 minutes over both legs, tallying three tackles and three interceptions. On the other end, he scored a long-range thunderbolt in the second leg.
Rômulo, Tigres UANL – The Brazilian defender was a rock at the back as Tigres overcame Nashville SC without conceding goals, playing the full 90 minutes in both legs while contributing three tackles and an interception.
Midfielders
Matthew Corcoran, Nashville SC – The midfielder influenced play for Nashville on both ends of the field. Corcoran was precise in possession and completed a total 133 passes. Defensively, he recorded two tackles and two interceptions.
Marcel Ruíz, Deportivo Toluca FC – The Mexican international starred in midfield for Toluca, clocking in two dynamic performances as he made his presence felt both in defensive and attacking duties. Ruíz completed an impressive 165 passes, recorded two crosses, three tackles, and two interceptions.
Nicolás Castro, Deportivo Toluca FC – Castro was another top performer in Toluca’s midfield unit. He was active in attack with four shots on target. Defensively, he contributed a notable five assists and two interceptions.
Juan Brunetta, Tigres UANL – Brunetta came up big with the lone goal in the second leg for Tigres to clinch its series against Nashville, 2-nil on aggregate. The Argentine midfielder tallied one goal, two shots on target, and 13 crosses.
Forwards
Ángel Correa, Tigres UANL – The Argentine World Cup winner was one of the protagonists that helped Tigres to the Final. Correa played the complete 180 minutes of the series, bagging the winner in the 1-nil triumph in the first leg in Nashville. He also picked up the assist for the series-clinching goal in the second leg and contributed five crosses and two successful tackles.
Paulinho, Deportivo Toluca FC – Paulinho once again was clinical in front of goal as he picked up a brace in stoppage time of the second leg against LAFC to seal the series for Toluca. The Portuguese forward took his tally to eight goals in six appearances and is now the sole leader in the race for the Top Scorer Award.
Helinho, Deportivo Toluca FC – The Brazilian attacker made the right wing his own in the series against LAFC. Helinho scored the opener for Toluca en route to securing its comeback in the second leg and was an active presence in attack with a total five shots on target and five crosses.
