MIAMI, Florida – This Friday at 7:00 PM ET, Concacaf will be airing a re-broadcast of the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal second leg between Atlanta United and Monterrey, followed by the 2016-17 SCCL quarterfinal second leg between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the New York Red Bulls. Both matches will be shown on Concacaf’s Facebook and YouTube pages, plus the Concacaf App.
When it comes to the SCCL, there is no team that knows how to get it done better than Monterrey. In five SCCL appearances, Monterrey have taken home the title in four editions, including a history-making span in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 when they won the tournament three years in a row.
Yet prior to their fourth Concacaf conquest in 2019, Monterrey had not been in the tournament since the 2016-17 edition, when they were unable to advance past the group stage.
It was no wonder that after such a long wait, Monterrey were plenty motivated to restore Rayados’ place atop the Concacaf region.
“Without a doubt the Champions League is a cup that is very prestigious and one that Rayados have always approached with a lot of responsibility, of wanting to win it, of wanting to represent your city, your country,” said Monterrey FW Rogelio Funes Mori in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com last April.
“There is no question that at the international level, Rayados have done things very well and have represented the country very well and that is the path to follow,” added Funes Mori.
Monterrey endured a difficult start in their SCCL return, as they edged Alianza of El Salvador 1-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16. However, Rayados found their stride in the first leg of their quarterfinal with Atlanta United, earning a 3-0 win on their way to a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Funes Mori and company were then able to flex their scoring muscles in the semifinals against Sporting Kansas City, pouring in five goals in each leg in a 10-2 win.
That set the stage for a spirited final with city rivals Tigres and a 2-1 aggregate win gave Monterrey their fourth SCCL crown in five attempts.
“Without a doubt the SCCL was one of the greatest achievements in my career here Rayados because of what it meant, its significance of being an international tournament and that it qualifies you for the Club World Cup and the fact that the club was able to defeat our long-time rival Tigres, so without a doubt it was one of the most important in my career,” said Funes Mori.
With their ticket punched already to the 2021 SCCL, one would not bet against Monterrey from making another return to the Concacaf mountaintop.
