One of the great tournaments in North and Central American football was staged amidst remarkable tension as the 1992/93 CONCACAF Champions Cup took place. It was easily one of the most thrilling tournaments in terms of superb football, not to mention that some exciting clubs from Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean, and North America fought for said supremacy. This article will revisit the key games and moments of the 1992/93 CONCACAF Champions Cup, a significant tournament in framing what football would become across this part of the world.
The Early Round: CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993
In the CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993 early rounds, many matches matched regional teams against one another in an amazing clash. This tournament was considered more 50-50 than pedal-to-the-floor when Mexican sides were considered. In the early iterations Club América and Pumas UNAM (both Mexico) were strong forces, convincingly beating teams from Central America and the Caribbean.
After a Dominant 2-0 victory over Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense, Club América kicked off their Concacaf Champions League with authority. América ran away with this 4-0 romp at Estadio Azteca in the first leg. Zague — Luis Roberto Alves, the hero of the final with two goals that set him on his course in the tournament. Real España managed to score early, but América was dominant in a 2-0 victory before winning again by the same score with goals from Arley Rodríguez and Diego Navarrete (own goal); they finished with a comfortable set of six past Real on aggregate.
Pumas UNAM, meanwhile, entertained Suriname outfit Robinhood in a thrilling first-round contest. In the first leg, Pumas came home with a commanding 3-0 win and for all practical purposes controlled the match from beginning to end. David Patiño and Luis García, creators of the two goals with which Celaya fell on Robinhood. Robinhood scored in the third minute of the return leg, but Pumas ultimately settled for a 1-1 draw and advanced with a comprehensive 4-1 aggregate triumph.
Quarterfinals, Things Start To Get Interesting
The tournament had now progressed to the CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993 quarterfinals, with teams battling it out fiercely seeking a place in the semifinals. Club América Club América x Suprissa- With Saprissa is a household name in the region due to their regional success, and having so many stories of former players now playing at an international level. Both sides had opportunities in an eventful encounter to start the series, but none could be converted.
Olimpia 15/4-31 Pers volgende: Cruz Azul (M) Carlos Hermosillo continued his mid-season scoring spree, and Cruz Azul defeated Chivas 2-0 in the first leg at Estadio Azteca. Honduran club Olimpia made it interesting in the Liguilla playoffs, drawing Cruz Azul 1-1 in Mexico City where Joao Escober provided an equalizer a minute from time
Semifinals:- Clash for the final spot
Known as the final four, however, the semifinal series of some of the best clubs in CONCACAF history took place during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993 and pitted them against each other. An all-Mexican faceoff between Club América and Cruz Azul was seen by many as the tournament final to end them all. The excitement was palpable; both teams were dripping with talent, and a clash of the titans seemed inevitable.
The Campeonato is decided over two legs, and in the first game at Estadio Azteca Mexico City side Club América took full advantage of playing their home leg first by grinding out a 2-1 win. Once again, the standard for América was Luis Roberto Alves who not only scored the opener but he also assisted on their second. Yet hope was sparked for Cruz Azul in the dying minutes when Carlos Hermosillo scrambled home a vital away goal.
The return leg at Estadio Azul was even crazier. Cruz Azul, down a crucial away goal and needing to win on the night just to even the scoreline attacked from kickoff. Benjamín Galindo gave Monterrey hope and in the match, there would be no goals after that. As the game was heading to extra time, Antonio Carlos Santos scored a beautiful free-kick goal in minute 85 which sent Club América into the final thanks to an advantage of 2-3 on aggregate.
We were facing Comunicaciones of Guatemala in the other semifinal in CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993. Saprissa, who had a lousy performance in the quarterfinals against Olimpia, woke up and began to show why it was unbeaten during the tournament. They won the first leg, in San José 3-0 (two goals by Hernán Medford. The second leg in Guatemala was a closer match, but Comunicaciones held Saprissa to 1-1 and it still won the two-leg series 4-2.
Final: Club América vs. Saprissa
But the CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993 final between Club América and Saprissa was one of those occasions. Two dominant forces in the event, it was billed as a battle between incredible offenses — and fans could not wait to see who would walk away with an upset win.
In the 2010 edition, Estadio Ricardo Saprissa was used for Game 1. With the home support singing The Robinson Crusoe, a song written for Bury’s last time with an England international in their starting XI almost 18 years ago! Saprissa struck first through a Hernán Medford goal in the 30th minute. Nevertheless, Zague was able to level the score just before halftime with a strong header that surprised Trosclair. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, meaning the second leg would be played at an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level.
The final second leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993, Estadio Azteca capped an all-time classic. The home side came out playing in front of a support crowd heavily supporting Club América, and they controlled the possession early on creating several good opportunities. After 40 minutes Antonio Carlos Santos scored one of the long-distance goals in American history to give a lead. Saprissa, without being able to respond and with the defense America holding firm tightened by Alves’ second goal in minute 75. America won the match 2-0 and took home their fifth Champions Cup crown with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Top performers in CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993
The CONCACAF Champions Cup 1993 was a real showcase for quality players from the area. Undoubtedly one of the stars if not THE star but for whom, was Club America’s Luis Roberto Alves (Zague) who scored important goals game after game and towards taking his team to victory. Antonio Carlos Santos also had a brilliant season and one of their big chances in the semifinals when they were short-handed as well, showing up with times goals.
The best player of Saprissa was Hernán Medford, who scored crucial goals for the team in throughout the tournament. His speed and finishing were key for Saprissa to capture top honors, but his final performance proved he is one of the most talented youngsters in the region.
Conclusion
The CONCACAF Champions Cup 1992/93 was a tournament of great interest, drama and top-level football. Beginning with the first rounds through Club América and Saprissa’s thrilling final, this was CONCACAF in all of its glory. Meanwhile, Club América showed their superiority in the region with a strong win and continues to build on what is already an incredible longevity amongst CONCACAF’s elite.
For more detailed coverage of big football tournaments, player spotlights and expert opinions – just follow justsports2. Sports Junkie or Just a guy that loves sports: justsports24 is your number one source for all things Sports.
