2023 CONCACAF Champions League

[narduch]

This will be the final tournament under the current format.

So far the following teams have been confirmed:

Canada: Vancouver Whitecaps

Mexico: Atlas, Pumas, Leon, Pachuca

Haiti: Violette

[narduch]

Also of note, Sacramento Republic of USL Championship are 1 win away from being the 1st ever USL team in Champions League.

They will face Orlando in the US Open Cup final on September 7.

[Kent]

On 7/28/2022 at 12:10 PM, narduch said:

Also of note, Sacramento Republic of USL Championship are 1 win away from being the 1st ever USL team in Champions League.

They will face Orlando in the US Open Cup final on September 7.

Great story. I think that's 3 MLS teams now they have eliminated. Looks like it was a packed stadium for the game, which means 11k fans, which apparently is what they have usually gotten since they started in 2014. I have to say I'm a bit jealous. I wish we had some CPL teams with that level of fan support, and a CPL team making it to the V Cup final (2020 doesn't count, since that was essentially awarded to the CPL).

[narduch]

Orlando City became the 1st American team to clinch a spot after winning the US Open Cup last week.

 

[narduch]

The 6 Concacaf League qualified teams were decided this week:

[narduch]

The draw is November 7 

 

[nfitz]

On 7/28/2022 at 12:10 PM, narduch said:

Also of note, Sacramento Republic of USL Championship are 1 win away from being the 1st ever USL team in Champions League.

There were two USL teams in the 2008-09 Champions Leagues; Montreal Impact and the Puerto Rico Islanders. I'm not sure if there were any others (though Puerto Rico Islanders appeared again after they left USL).

Edited October 20, 2022 by nfitz

[narduch]

LAFC and Philadelphia have clinched their places by winning their Conferences in MLS.

The last US spot could be decided today if Montreal beats NYCFC.

The winner of Austin v Dallas would grab the final spot

[Watchmen]

Whitecaps draw Real Espana in the first round.  I'll take that, though the away trip is going to be tough.

 

[Kent]

Avoiding Tigres, Alajualense and Olimpia is all you can ask really. Hopefully VWFC can have a good run. It's been a while since a Canadian team has had a good run in CCL. We haven't had a semi finalist since TFC made the final in 2018.

[narduch]

Their side of the bracket only has 1 Mexican team.

Although they could potentially face LAFC in the next round 

[Kingston]

I'm happy we didn't draw the one Mexican team in the first round again.

[BearcatSA]

 

[narduch]

Lol

[Cblake]

3 hours ago, BearcatSA said:

 

Flip legs or back to Swanguard for the match? 

[SthMelbRed]

41 minutes ago, Cblake said:

Flip legs or back to Swanguard for the match? 

UBC more likely?

[BearcatSA]

How about...Langley?!!!

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by BearcatSA

[Kingston]

7 hours ago, BearcatSA said:

How about...Langley?!!!

 

Could be a good test of the market just in case anyone was interested in putting a soccer team there. 

[Metro]

Is Empire Stadium still an option?  I really liked the scenes the club created there when they played their first MLS season.

[narduch]

56 minutes ago, Metro said:

Is Empire Stadium still an option?  I really liked the scenes the club created there when they played their first MLS season.

Going to be hilarious when they have to move the game to BMO Field 

[Cblake]

9 hours ago, narduch said:

Going to be hilarious when they have to move the game to BMO Field 

Yeah, you could very well be right. LOL Would CONCACAF even approve the other facilities in the Van area. Have to remember it has to be broadcast friendly keeping VAR considerations in mind. It is why TFC ended up playing at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa with Orlando City's stadium unavailable and two other area stadiums were deemed not good enough. Could get interesting. 

[SthMelbRed]

2 hours ago, Cblake said:

Yeah, you could very well be right. LOL Would CONCACAF even approve the other facilities in the Van area. Have to remember it has to be broadcast friendly keeping VAR considerations in mind. It is why TFC ended up playing at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa with Orlando City's stadium unavailable and two other area stadiums were deemed not good enough. Could get interesting. 

Swangard has hosted many international events, including several games at the 2007 U20 World Cup. I'm sure it'd be fine for CCL match, if that's where they proposed to play the match. 

[narduch]

4 hours ago, SthMelbRed said:

Swangard has hosted many international events, including several games at the 2007 U20 World Cup. I'm sure it'd be fine for CCL match, if that's where they proposed to play the match. 

Can they do VAR at Swanguard?

[Unnamed Trialist]

They'll just reschedule. Concacaf club competitions always reschedule, it is fairly habitual and should not be an issue.

[Unnamed Trialist]

On 11/17/2022 at 9:54 PM, BearcatSA said:

 

They've flipped the order. First leg at home on 9 March, away leg the 15th.

They sacrifice home advantage 2nd leg, so Whitecaps.

Full schedule was announced today.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Unnamed Trialist