The Champions Cup history: 80's & 90's | OneFootball

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

The 1980s showcased dramatic twists, the rise of Caribbean excellence, and unforgettable moments that cemented the Champions Cup as the ultimate test of club supremacy in the region.

The 1990s were marked by competitive diversity, the rise of Costa Rican clubs, and the continued global aspirations of Concacaf teams, setting the stage for a modern era of regional dominance and international ambition.

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

The 1980s: A Decade of Change and Caribbean Brilliance

The incredible streak of 12 different champions from the 1970s ended in 1981 when SV Transvaal of Suriname claimed its second Concacaf Champions Cup title, adding to its triumph in 1973. This made Transvaal the first Caribbean team to achieve multiple titles — a feat matched four years later by Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force after defeating CD Olimpia of Honduras in a two-legged final.

Robinhood’s Unlucky Legacy

SV Robinhood reached its fourth and fifth finals in 1982 and 1983, solidifying an unfortunate record as the only team in the tournament’s history to lose five finals. Mexican clubs Pumas UNAM and Atlante dashed Robinhood's dreams, and while the Surinamese side made several attempts to reclaim glory in the 1990s, it never came as close again. After 1994, Robinhood endured a 25-year absence from Concacaf’s premier club competition, finally returning in 2019.

The Caribbean’s Golden Era

The mid-1980s marked a golden period for Caribbean clubs, with consecutive Champions’ Cup titles in 1984 and 1985. Violette of Haiti became the second Haitian champion in 1984, while Defence Force of Trinidad and Tobago secured their second title the following year. In the 1985 final, Defence Force defeated Olimpia, with Andrés Kenneth scoring twice in the first leg to lead his team to victory.

Alajuelense Ends Caribbean Dominance

In 1986, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense ended the Caribbean reign by becoming Costa Rica’s first champion. LDA triumphed with a commanding 6-2 aggregate win over SV Transvaal, highlighted by the brilliance of Juan Cayasso, who famously scored Costa Rica’s first-ever World Cup goal.

Olimpia’s Heroic Triumph

Before Mexico embarked on a streak of four consecutive titles, CD Olimpia claimed the Champions Cup in 1988 with a remarkable campaign. The Honduran side overcame Cruz Azul, defending champions Alajuelense, and Defence Force in the final. Olimpia won both legs of the final in Tegucigalpa, with Juan Flores shining as he scored in both matches. That edition also saw a record-tying scoreline as Cruz Azul demolished Verdes FC 12-2.

A Rivalry Takes Shape

The decade ended with a fierce rivalry between Pumas UNAM and Club América for the title of Concacaf's most successful club. Both teams secured two championships during the 1980s, finishing the decade tied at three titles apiece alongside fellow Mexico City side Cruz Azul. However, the 1990s would see Cruz Azul reclaim its dominance, setting the stage for a new chapter in Concacaf Champions’ Cup history.

The 1990s: Resurgent Mexican Dominance and Historic Costa Rican Triumphs

A Mexican Revival

The 1990s began with a return to Mexican dominance in the Concacaf Champions Cup, as Mexican clubs secured four consecutive titles, mirroring their streak from 1968 to 1971.

Puebla claimed their first and only championship in 1991 by defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Police FC in the final. The 1991 edition saw 67 matches and 200 goals, a record that stood until the introduction of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League format in 2008-09.

Club América earned their fourth title the following year, winning the first-ever single-leg final on neutral ground. A Hugo Sánchez goal against Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in Santa Ana, California, sealed América's victory.

Costa Rican Brilliance

Costa Rican clubs momentarily broke Mexico's dominance, achieving three consecutive titles between 1993 and 1995 — a feat unmatched by any other nation except Mexico.

Deportivo Saprissa secured their first two titles in 1993 and 1995 through thrilling finals. The 1993 championship was particularly dramatic. Saprissa needed a convincing win over SV Robinhood and for Club León to falter against Municipal. Both results materialized, giving El Monstruo Morado the crown.

CS Cartaginés won the 1994 edition with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atlante in the final. Marco Tulio Hidalgo's penalty 20 minutes before the end sealed the win.

Cruz Azul Makes History

Cruz Azul dominated the latter half of the decade, claiming back-to-back titles in 1996 and 1997 to become the tournament’s first five-time champion.

In 1996, La Maquina delivered an 11-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders, with Carlos Hermosillo and Julio Cesar Yegros each scoring hat-tricks. In 1997, the club won the highest-scoring single-leg final in history, defeating LA Galaxy 5-3.

A U.S. Breakthrough

D.C. United made history as the first U.S. club to win the Concacaf Champions Cup on August 16, 1998, at RFK Stadium. Eddie Pope’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Deportivo Toluca in the final.

Necaxa’s Global Stage

The decade concluded with Necaxa’s second title, the first coming in 1975 as Atlético Español. Necaxa became the first Concacaf representative at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2000, where the club achieved a third-place finish after a penalty shootout victory over Real Madrid in Brazil.