MIAMI, Florida – If there is anyone who made the most of his appearances in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, it is Damian Alvarez. As a member of Pachuca, Alvarez won the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2007 and 2008 and then was an SCCL champion with the Tuzos in 2009-10, while also finishing as runner-up twice with Tigres (2015-16, 2016-17).
Now retired, Alvarez will be in Miami this Monday for the 2023 SCCL Draw serving as a Draw Assistant, alongside former Costa Rica international Rodney Wallace, and current SCCL champion Nicolas Lodeiro of the Seattle Sounders, who will be attending as a Special Guest.
The opportunity to take part in such an important event is very exciting for the 43-year-old.
“It makes me proud to be taking part in this draw. I’ve never been in a draw, so it will be my first time. I’m very happy to have received this invitation from the organization because it is such an important event for all of us here in this Confederation,” said Alvarez in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com.
“I think it is going to be a very wonderful environment with those players. I’m going to take full advantage and give it my all because it’s my first experience in a draw and I’m grateful to be a specific part of this draw,” added Alvarez.
Between the Concacaf Champions Cup and the SCCL, Alvarez played in 40 matches and scored eight goals. In SCCL action alone, he had four goals in 24 games. One of Alvarez’s fondest memories was the 2009-10 edition with Pachuca. Alvarez played in eight games in that edition, scoring two goals to help the Tuzos win what was a heart-stopping tournament that was not decided until the final seconds.
“I remember most the finals that we won. Of the three that I played, perhaps the most dramatic one was the last one, the 2009-10 final against Cruz Azul. Winning it in the final minute was phenomenal. The sensation of feeling like everything was lost and then in the final seconds we managed to win it,” said Alvarez.
Two of Alvarez’s former clubs, Pachuca and Tigres, already squared off in an SCCL Final in 2016-17, with Pachuca capturing the title that season. You can count Alvarez as one who would love to see a second duel between the two.
“It happened once before. I always wish the best for the clubs where I played and if that final repeats itself, it would be great. With Tigres I fell short of winning it and going to a Club World Cup. I had already retired, but I think they are two teams that always aspire to play in it, compete in it and win it,” said Alvarez.
In addition to Pachuca and Tigres, Alvarez will also be keeping close watch on some of the teams from MLS, especially in light of Seattle becoming the first team from MLS to win the SCCL earlier this year.
“I think the MLS teams are strong. I got to play against a lot of them, also the Canadian ones, Vancouver, Toronto. I think it will be important to watch several teams because you can see that competition between the Mexican teams and the MLS teams. Those are teams to analyze. Obviously with someone like Carlos Vela in Los Angeles FC is a plus because of who he is as a player and what he seeks to win. I think all of the teams that participate in Concacaf have to want to win it, because it gives your prestige. It is a tournament that you need to have in your trophy cabinet,” said Alvarez.
No matter the team, Alvarez feels like there is a big responsibility of every club and player to represent themselves to the best of their ability in Concacaf competition. The SCCL is a tournament he relished playing and hopes the players in the upcoming edition feel the same way.
“You have to have it as a primary objective. Normally, you start the season playing in your domestic league and then in the middle of the year you start playing in Concacaf. Then you have to start balancing situations, the travel, the commitments, but for us playing 2-3 times a week, we loved it. I liked playing every game. It didn’t matter where or when, so I think that’s the proper approach a footballer should have to compete at an international level and know that this tournament can bring you a lot of prestige,” concluded Alvarez.
