The Champions Cup history: 2000-2024 | OneFootball

MIAMI – The Concacaf Champions Cup celebrates its 60th edition in 2025 as 27 clubs vie to become the region's next champion.

The 2000s highlighted a fascinating shift in power, with Costa Rican clubs achieving historic milestones before Mexico reasserted its dominance. The emergence of a new tournament format promised a fresh chapter for the Concacaf club competition.

The 2010s saw Mexican clubs dominate the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (SCCL) with an unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive titles. This era was marked by historic achievements, legendary players, and milestone moments that underscored the region's competitive evolution.

The 2020s maintained the intensity and prestige of the Concacaf Champions League (CCL), with Mexican clubs asserting dominance by winning three of the four titles. At the same time, Major League Soccer (MLS) celebrated a landmark triumph through the Seattle Sounders.

As a new edition of the tournament approaches, we look back on the competition's history in the last of a three-part series.

The 2000s: Shifting Dynamics and Mexican Dominance

MLS Breakthrough

In 2000, the LA Galaxy claimed their first Concacaf Champions Cup title in a dramatic final against CD Olimpia of Honduras. A comeback led by Ezra Hendrickson’s brace and a goal from Cobi Jones secured a 3-2 victory, making the Galaxy the only MLS club to win the title by overturning a deficit in the final.

Interestingly, the 1999 and 2000 editions were the shortest in tournament history, featuring only eight matches each.

A Pause and Pachuca’s Emergence

The 2001 tournament was canceled, but in 2002, CF Pachuca of Mexico began its ascent by claiming the first of its six titles. The following season, in 2003, Deportivo Toluca secured its second championship, narrowly defeating Monarcas Morelia in the final with a 5-4 aggregate score.

Costa Rican Glory

The Mexican dominance momentarily paused when Costa Rican clubs retook center stage with back-to-back championships.

LD Alajuelense claimed a 5-1 aggregate victory over Deportivo Saprissa in the first-ever Costa Rican Clásico contested in a Champions Cup final. Alejandro "Matador" Alpízar’s two goals in the second leg made him the only Costa Rican player to score a brace in a two-legged final.

Deportivo Saprissa secured its third title in 2005 by defeating Mexico’s Pumas UNAM 3-2 on aggregate. This triumph established Saprissa as the most successful Central American club in the tournament’s history, surpassing Olimpia and Alajuelense (each with two titles). Saprissa also became the first Central American club to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, finishing third in 2005 after a 3-2 victory over Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.

Renewed Mexican Dominance

Mexican clubs reasserted control from 2006 onward by winning five consecutive titles to end the decade. Club América won its fifth title in 2006 to tie Cruz Azul the all-time record.

CF Pachuca emerged as the standout team, winning three championships, including back-to-back titles, in 2007, 2008 and 2009–10.

Atlante FC, winners in 2008/09, also added to Mexico’s haul as the tournament transitioned into the Concacaf Champions League format.

The decade ended with the 2009/10 edition, which set a record for matches played (78) and goals scored (242), making it the most prolific tournament in history at that time.

The 2010s: A Decade of Mexican Supremacy

Monterrey's Golden Era

CF Monterrey emerged as the decade's standout team, claiming four titles, including an unmatched three consecutive championships in 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13. Legendary coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich matched Raúl Cárdenas’ 1970s record of winning three straight titles, cementing his place in CCL history.

Club América and Cruz Azul fight for the all-time lead

Cruz Azul claimed its sixth title, setting a new record, winning the 2013/14 edition on away goals against Toluca.

Club América followed by winning back-to-back championships in 2014/15 and 2015/16, solidifying their place as the tournament's most successful team with seven titles, including a record four undefeated campaigns.

CF Pachuca returned to the mountaintop in 2016/17 to add to its illustrious history in the final edition that featured a group stage. Hirving Lozano starred as the top player of the tournament and would go on to be named the 2018 Concacaf Men’s Player of the Year.

CD Guadalajara ended a 56-year title drought, defeating Toronto FC 4-2 in a penalty shootout to become the only club with multiple finals decided by penalties. The trophy added to a prosperous period under coach Matías Almeyda.

Monterrey added a fourth title to their trophy case in 2019 in a final that featured victory over crosstown rivals Tigres UANL. Nicolás Sánchez won the tournament’s Golden Ball and struck in both legs of the championship series, while Marcelo Barovero took the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper in the campaign.

Tigres UANL captured its first title in 2020 under coach Ricardo Ferretti, who equaled the most finals managed with five, a record previously held by Ronald Kolf of SV Robinhood. The club would finish second at the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup, falling 1-nil to Bayern Munich in the final.

2020s: Continued Mexican Dominance and MLS Milestones

Rayados earn fifth crown in 11 seasons

CF Monterrey secured its fifth title in 2021, defeating Club América 1-0 in the final. The match marked América’s record-breaking eighth final appearance, although Monterrey ended América's streak of seven undefeated finals.

Seattle Sounders: MLS Breakthrough

Seattle Sounders FC ended a 16-year streak of Mexican dominance by winning the 2022 edition against Pumas UNAM with an emphatic 5-2 aggregate score. The conquest marked the third title for an MLS club after DC United (1998) and LA Galaxy (2000), as Brian Schmetzer became the first American coach to win the title with a club from his hometown.

León and Pachuca prevail against MLS champions

Club León entered the champions' circle in 2023, becoming the 14th Mexican team to lift the trophy. La Fiera defeated reigning MLS Cup champions and MLS Supporters’ Shield winners Los Angeles FC 3-1 on aggregate, winning the second leg in the United States — a feat previously accomplished only by Monterrey in 2011 against Real Salt Lake.

CF Pachuca, in 2024, claimed their sixth championship, tying Cruz Azul for the second-most titles in history. They won the final 3-0 victory over the defending MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, to maintain a perfect mark in six finals at Estadio Hidalgo. Pachuca also became the fourth team to win the title on home soil and the 21st team to win undefeated. Los Tuzos won the FIFA Derby of the Americas and the FIFA Challenger Cup before finishing runners-up to Real Madrid at the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final.