A three-month wait for the semi-finals in the CONCACAF Champions League is over, as the first games in this stage of the competition will be played this week. As it has been usual in past iterations of the tournament, only MLS and Liga MX clubs will be fighting for a spot in the title clash.
All three Liga MX clubs will prove to be stiff competition to win the crown, something all of them have achieved in the past. The most successful team in the competition, América, has taken the title home seven times. Meanwhile, no MLS team has been able to claim the crown since the tournament was revamped in 2006, and the Philadelphia Union will try to end that drought for the North American league.
Without further ado, here is how the games will be played in chronological order.
Monterrey vs Cruz Azul
Los Rayados get to this stage of the tournament after beating Atlético Pantoja in the Round of 16 with a 6-1 aggregate. Then, the team from the north side of Mexico claimed a 5-2 win over the Columbus Crew after two legs. For this game, recent signing Erick Aguirre will not be available after picking up an injury in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with Mexico.
On the other hand, Cruz Azul enter this stage after claiming an emphatic 8-0 win over Arcahaie in the Round of 16. Their next opponent in the competition was Toronto FC, who they defeated with a 4-1 aggregate. The current Liga MX champions could field Sebastián Jurado, Luis Romo, and Roberto Alvarado, three players who won bronze medals with Mexico last week.
This will be the second time in which Monterrey and Cruz Azul play a semi-final tie in this competition. The first one saw Monterrey claim a 3-2 win after two legs in the 2010-11 edition, which ended with Los Rayados claiming the title and the ticket to play the FIFA Club World Cup.
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América vs Philadelphia Union
Las Águilas make it to this game with much to demonstrate, as they have been considered favorites to win but they are yet to be as dominant as expected. Their first tie ended in a 2-2 aggregate against Olimpia, which they won thanks to the away goals rule. Their next clash saw them beat Portland Timbers with a 4-2 aggregate.
On the other hand, Philadelphia Union will face their first-ever Mexican rival in the tournament. The U had previously taken on Saprissa in the Round of 16, a team they defeated with a 5-0 aggregate. The team from the city of brotherly love defeated Atlanta United 4-1 after both legs to book their spot in the semis.
This will be the first time in which these teams face each other, but it will not be the first time for América facing an MLS side. The team in yellow and blue has played ten games against MLS-based opposition, with four wins for them and only two matches ending in defeat.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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