CONCACAF Champions Cup 2022, a tournament that brought the most successful teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX together to delight soccer fans throughout North America. So we have a tournament that honors talent, rivalries, and the thirst for continental glory. This is why here at justsports24, we take a closer look back over the matches that made this year’s tourney offering our selections for standout performances and moments to remember that had fans on its edge.
Tournament Overview
For teams from North America, the CONCACAF Champions Cup (now called the CONCACAF Champions League) has long been an important stage to strut their stuff. Its 2022 version saw for the first time ever 16 team participate, with a new edition featuring regulations of MLB and Liga MX games. The format, which featured a knockout stage culminating in the grand final meant that every match was important on the road to being crowned champions.
Round of 16 Highlights
Seattle Sounders vs. Club León (1st leg)
The result saw the Seattle Sounders claim history as they became their first ever MLS team to win a CONCACAF Champions Cup. Their trip had started in the Round of 16, where they faced Club León. The first leg took place in León, where the game ended 2-2 after what was a fiercely contested encounter between both teams. The second leg back at Lumen Field then saw the Sounders secure a 3-0 victory behind two goals from striker Raúl Ruidíaz.
G2 — NYCFC vs Comunicaciones
Comunicaciones vs New York City FC NYCFC 4-0 MON — The New York club was in control throughout the first leg as star Taty Castellanos scored two goals. Los Cremas were more eager in the return leg, but NYCFC secured their passage to the last eight with a 1-1 draw.
Atlas vs. FC Dallas
Atlas faced a fierce FC Dallas. The first leg ended 1-1 as the tie was poised for a thrilling conclusion. Dominating the exciting brand of football that Tijuana showed and focussing on a tactical display with strong home support, Atlas took advantage of their ground to secure three points in a 2-1 victory.
Quarter-Finals Excitement
LA Galaxy vs. León
Looking to follow suit, but against Gallitos next was the entrance of León in a skirmish with The LA Galaxy. Down after a 2-1 loss in the opener, they returned to scoring form with aplomb on Monday night at home as Javier Hernández bestrode center stage with two goals and an assist to make sure LA threw up their hottest half in Efrain Alvarez’s first pro soccer start.
Seattle Sounders vs. NYCFC
The Sounders and NYCFC were evenly matched leading into the quarter-finals, with both performances touted as some of the finest at Soccer for All. The opening leg ended with a squeaky 1-0 win for the Sounders courtesy of Jordan Morris late goal. NYCFC lost the return leg 2-1 but also advanced on aggregate score.
Semi-Final Showdowns
Seattle Sounders vs Atlas
The semi-final between Sounders Up and Atlas was a tactical battle. While the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, it was performances such as this that were responsible for keeping both teams level. Seattle won 2-1 in the return leg at home, with Alex Roldan scoring a late winning goal.
LA Galaxy vs. Club América
The LA Galaxy battled with Liga MX powerhouse Club América in a rivalry that spanned two leagues. The first leg had finished 1-1, meaning there was all to play for in LA. The Galaxy struck 3 times with the crowd at their back to stun Austin with, a final score 3-2.(QObject)Kevin Cabral scored what turned out to be the game-winner for LA.LA
The Final: A Historic Clash
Those viewing the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2022 final — a potential barnburner, with Del Bosque managing Seattle Sounders and Seattle playing hosts to LA Galaxy. The match was played on a neutral ground and started with both teams showcasing their attacking talents.
First Half
Seattle took the lead 23 minutes in as Cristian Roldan struck from outside of the box: LAFC equalized shortly after through Dejan Joveljić following a poor turnover in the back by Galaxy defenders. With the first half tied 1-1, it provided a perfect setup for an exciting second half of play.
Second Half
Both sides came close to scoring in the second half, but Seattle finally found the go-ahead goal from Yaimar Gómez with a thumping header in the 70th minute. Seattle regained its lead in the Gutierrez goal and held on against a furious Los Angeles attack, winning 2-1.
Key Takeaways
The CONCACAF Champions Cup 2022 was an indicator of how far the standard of soccer in North America has come. The roster collectively engaged in heated rivalries, thrilling comebacks, and consistent games.
MLS POWER:Seattle Sounders’ triumph illustrated the growing might of MLS sides in the region
The Best of North America: Raúl Ruidíaz, Chicharitov et al put on a show for fans showing the world that this continental-wide tournament means business when it comes to footballing talent.
Fan Engagement We could feel the energy: Fans live and die with their club on both sides of hte border in MLS, while Liga MX fans are known for their overly passionate support.
Conclusion
Not only did the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2022 deliver top-class action to our screens, it also helped grow its popularity across North America. Clubs are only pouring more resources into player acquisitions and youth development, which means the future should be brighter than ever for soccer in the region. We at Justsports24 look forward to the next episode in this fascinating narrative, that would see treats of new rivalries and heroes through-out North American soccer.
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