MIAMI – Leagues Cup champions and Concacaf Champions Cup runners-up, Columbus Crew, continue to be one of the region's strongest sides, coming in at number one in the latest Concacaf Club Rankings (CCR) update.
The Concacaf Club Rankings Index grades all clubs and leagues across the confederation. Teams gain points for results in official domestic league matches, regional cup matches, and Concacaf Champions Cup play.
Further details explaining the rankings and how clubs earn points can be found here: Concacaf launches new ranking system for region’s clubs and leagues.
Here are the top stories from the recent moves.
Leagues Cup winners Columbus Crew rises to number one
Columbus Crew (1,260), runners-up in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, has recovered first place in the CCR after winning the 2024 Leagues Cup against sixth-ranked LAFC (1,222).
Tigres UANL (1,233), Club America (1,232), CF Pachuca (1,227), and CF Monterrey (1,223) fill in the top five.
Inter Miami CF (1,215) is the only other MLS side in the top ten at seventh place. Cruz Azul (1,215), Deportivo Toluca (1,209), and CD Guadalajara (1,209) round out the ten highest-ranked teams.
The winner of the Leagues Cup third-place match, Colorado Rapids (1,179) had the second-best improvement, rising 17 spots to 23rd overall. Mazatlan FC (1,171) also benefited from a strong tournament by rising 12 spots to 27th overall.
Costa Rica clubs lead after Central American Cup group stage
Costa Rica clubs lead the list of highest-ranked teams from Central America, with Deportivo Saprissa (1,154) at 40th, LD Alajuelense (1,151) in 45th, and CS Herediano (1,141) in 49th overall. The three teams finished first in their respective groups in the Central American Cup, with the latter two undefeated in the group stage.
CD Olimpia (1,134) dropped to fourth among Central American clubs and 51st overall after missing the quarterfinals. Comunicaciones FC (1,112) rose to fifth in the Central American rankings upon qualification to the cup knockout stage.
The 2024 Concacaf Central American Cup quarterfinals begin on September 24 and conclude on October 3. The four losing teams will advance to the Play-In stage to decide the remaining two teams that will join the semifinalists in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Cibao and Cavalier on top of Caribbean ranking
Following their undefeated starts in the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, Cibao FC (1,054) and Cavalier FC (1,049) are the highest-ranked Caribbean clubs, 86th and 90th overall. Jamaican side Cavalier, 2-0-0 to lead Group A, jumped nine places for the most among Caribbean teams.
Mount Pleasant FA (1,047), SV Robinhood (1,042), and Moca FC (1,023) round out the top five in the region.
The 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup group stage resumes on September 17.
CD Águila makes big jump after advancing to Central American Cup Quarterfinals
CD Águila (1,077) was the most improved team in the latest rankings update, rising 21 spots to 68th overall. The Salvadoran side had an undefeated start to the Central American Cup with three wins and one draw and is tied for best defense with one goal allowed.
As winners of Group C, Águila secured a place in the quarterfinals. The club will meet 2023 runners-up Real Estelí FC for a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Managua win over Municipal in Central American Cup was the biggest upset
Managua FC (994) defeated CSD Municipal (1,108) in the biggest upset of the region when the two met on July 31 during the Central American Cup opening matchweek. At the time, the encounter marked the 146th overall team defeating the 52nd ranked side.
The result has lifted the Nicaraguan side to a double-digit jump to 133rd overall. Municipal dropped to 56th in the rankings.
