One of those exciting events was the 1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup, played by some of the biggest footballing names in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The biennial club football tournament in the region lived up to its status as always with a lot of drama, history made, and memorable performances this edition. This article takes a closer look at the tournament’s key moments, how it transpired and why has this been such an important part of CONCACAF football lore.
1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup Format and Structure
The 1999 tournament saw 8 of the best teams across CONCACAF compete. This time it was a form of knock-out competition and all the games would take place at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada for different vibes to other rounds.
It featured the top teams in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the United States as well as new entrants from the Caribbean. The eight clubs played against in one-off encounters with the winner advancing, ultimately declaring a champion of CONCACAF.
The quarterfinal matches were as follows
Necaxa vs. DC United
Among the most anticipated contests was Necaxa, a club from Mexico considered one of that country’s best clubs ever to face United, which won its second straight MLS Cup last year. However, it was Necaxa who emerged as winners with a 3-1 victory over DC United and advanced to the semifinals.
Toluca vs. Chicago Fire
One of the other tilts on Friday evening saw Toluca square off against reigning U.S. Open Cup champion, Chicago Fire. It would be a fun one though, with the Mexican side coming out on top in an entertaining 5-3 victory over Chicago Fire to reach their first final four.
Alajuelense vs. Joe Public FC
One of Costa Rica’s best teams, Alajuelense deftly swept Joe Public FC from Trinidad and Tobago with a 2-0 win.
Saprissa vs. Comunicaciones
Score: Deportivo Saprissa 1-2 ComunicacionesGoals: SAP – Rolando Blackburn (3)COM — José Contreras (o.g. Saprissa was able to expand on their 1-0 win in the first leg and defeat Comunicaciones by that score, to assure themselves a spot in the semi-finals after all.
Semifinal Round
Semifinal: The semifinal round also promised high-stakes action, as two traditional-league Mexican powers would take on Costa Rican royalty to play the CCL Final.
Necaxa vs. Alajuelense
Necaxa followed their victory over RSL with a rout of Alajuelense. Outclassing them with more skilled tactics and experience, they won comfortably 2-0 to qualify for the final as one of tournament favorites.
Toluca vs. Saprissa
It was another intriguing clash between Toluca and Saprissa. The all-Mexican final included Necaxa as well, after Toluca –following its high-scoring quarterfinal victory— overcame Saprissa 2-1 in a tense match.
The Final: Necaxa vs. Toluca
A 1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup final would be the second for MLS sides, but it wasn’t to ever occur: on one hand, were Necaxa and Toluca in an all-Mexican battle that guaranteed that at least another team north of Mexico wouldn’t lift a cup. Each team was extremely talented, and it looked to be a close game between the two.
The visiting squad hoped to bounce back from a poor second half of the Apertura 2018 campaign, but fielding six new players saw them lay an early egg Saturday at Estadio Victoria where Necaxa got off on the right foot and limited Toluca’s scoring chances with good defensive discipline. Ecuadorian Necaxa star Alex Aguinaga was the orchestrator of play in the midfield for Los Rayos.
Necaxa needed a breakthrough and got Ensuèn Salvador Cabrera to take the lead. No podrá ser esta vez, Toluca no encuentra por dónde hacer daño a un Necaxa bien parado. Necaxa made the one-goal hold up to win 1-0 and capture their first CONCACAF Champions Cup.
1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup: finished in semi-finals
One of THE most amazing moments in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final was just three years ago, at this same venue and against a Costa Rican opponent. It signaled the last couple of seasons of a tournament that would evolve — first with less focus and opportunity when it rebranded as CONCACAF Champions League, then into something easier to ridicule if we’re honest.
This title which Necaxa knew how to achieve in 1999 was already a milestone achievement for the Mexican team. Helping to solidify their status as one of the most important teams in Mexico during that time, and enabling them to represent CONCACAF at the FIFA Club World Cup for a second year. They were disciplined in their play throughout the competition, especially in the final, A solid show of quality and tactical prowess.
Conclusion
CONCACAF Champions Cup 1999 The hexagonal soccer ball from the logo Date March — December 1999 Teams (Real Club soccer-history. The CONCACAF Champion Cups group stage games and quarterfinals were dominated by Mexican teams. It was a series with thrilling matches and standout individual performances, culminating in iecaxa’s victory that makes it one of the most memorable ever for fans and historians alike. This event confirmed that Mexican clubs were no longer pushovers while underscoring the competitive nature of rest-of-region participants – giving way to what would become the modern CONCACAF Champions League.
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