Long, Messi, Sepulveda headline CCC Round One Best XI | OneFootball

MIAMI – Round One of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup concluded on Thursday after 22 exciting matches.

There were many excellent individual performances over the course of the past four weeks, yet these 11 players stood out the most in their respective positions.

Goalkeeper

Dany Carvajal, CS Herediano – Carvajal was instrumental in both legs against Real Salt Lake, ultimately helping the Costa Rican side win 2-1 on aggregate. He totaled eight saves, while collecting a valuable clean sheet in the first leg.

Defenders

Luis Rey, CD Guadalajara – Rey led Guadalajara’s backline as the Mexican giants withstood a gritty Cibao FC. He played a crucial role with a late equalizer to take a 1-1 draw in the first leg and was precise in possession throughout the series, completing 96 percent of his passes in 180 minutes of action.

Aaron Long, Los Angeles FC – The U.S. international performed at a high level to help LAFC overcome a tough Colorado Rapids squad. Long contributed five steals and helped LAFC secure a vital clean sheet in the second leg to seal the comeback in the series, while also scoring the team’s goal in the first leg and completing an impressive 97 percent of his passes.

Tomás Avilés, Inter Miami CF – The young Argentine defender was a rock at the back as Inter Miami knocked out Sporting Kansas City, while also being superb on ball distribution and completing nearly 95 percent of his passes.

Midfielders

Mark Delgado, Los Angeles FC – Delgado’s goal in the 1-nil win against the Colorado Rapids in the second leg ultimately proved to be the series-winner for LAFC. The midfielder, who was an offseason reinforcement for the Los Angeles team ahead of the 2025, also contributed defensively with five steals.

Nelson Deossa, C.F. Monterrey – Deossa led Rayados’ midfield unit as Rayados moved onto the Round of 16. He scored the opening goal in the team’s 2-nil road win over Forge FC in the first leg, along with contributing defensively with six ball recoveries in the series.

Elías Aguilas, CS Herediano – Herediano’s captain was key to defeating Real Salt Lake. Aguilar scored one of the goals in the crucial 2-1 away win in the second leg, completing 92 percent of his passes in the series.

Forwards

Pedro de la Vega, Seattle Sounders FC – The dynamic Argentine winger scored in the first leg before bagging a brace in the return fixture against Antigua GFC, finishing as the Round One joint-top scorer with three goals. He was a constant threat in attack for Seattle and recorded a total six shots in the series.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF – The Argentine legend was one of Inter Miami’s stars as the South Florida side overcame a tough challenge against Sporting Kansas City. Messi was an active presence in attack, scoring in both fixtures and recording five shots.

Paul Arriola, Seattle Sounders FC – Arriola was part of Seattle’s stellar attack that sealed the team’s place in the Round of 16, notably getting his name onto the scoresheet in both fixtures against Antigua.

Ángel Sepulveda, Cruz Azul – Sepulveda ran the show in attack as Cruz Azul topped Real Hope, scoring three goals over the two legs to finish as the Round One joint-top scorer. The Mexican forward also concluded Round One as the player with the most goal-scoring chances with 11.