Clásico de México highlights Champions Cup Wednesday’s slate

MIAMI — The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continues on Wednesday with three second leg matches in the Round of 16, including the second installment of the Mexican Clásico.

CF Monterrey will kick off the night hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with that series tied 1-1. Over in Mexico City, Club América seeks to overturn a 1-nil deficit against CD Guadalajara in the second leg of the Clásico de México. LA Galaxy will seek to come back from its own 1-nil leg one defeat against CS Herediano.

The winners on aggregate will advance to the quarterfinals. Away goals serve as the primary tiebreaker. If necessary, extra time and a penalty shootout will decide a winner.

CF Monterrey vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

CF Monterrey hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Estadio Corona in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg.

Roberto De la Rosa became the youngest Mexican-born player to score in Canada for CF Monterrey at 25 years, 2 months, and 1 day old, with his goal in the 25’ of the first leg. Belal Halbouni equalized in the 86' to level the series.

Canadian clubs have struggled in Mexico, going winless in their last nine visits, with eight straight defeats. No Canadian team has ever advanced when playing the second leg away in Mexico (0/11). Meanwhile, Monterrey has never lost to a Canadian club at home, winning both of its previous encounters.

The winner of this series will play LD Alajuelense or Pumas UNAM in the quarterfinals.

Club América vs. CD Guadalajara

Club América meets CD Guadalajara at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico.

Chivas won the first leg 1-nil on an own goal from América defender Sebastián Cáceres. The goal originated from a dangerous cross into the box by 20-year-old Mateo Chávez, forcing a save from goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón that rebounded off his teammate.

CD Guadalajara heads into the return leg looking to break a trend. In previous instances, they advanced after winning the first leg at home. However, when eliminated after hosting the first leg, it was always against a Mexican club (Pachuca in 2006/07 and América in 2024). Club América has won two of its last three second-leg matches at home against Liga MX clubs and aims to turn the tie around.

How has Guadalajara fared as a visitor?

In second-leg away matches in Mexico, Guadalajara remains unbeaten in its last two games (1D-1W). However, both instances resulted in elimination (CF Pachuca in the 2006/07 Final and CF América in the 2024 Round of 16).

How does América perform at home?

When closing out a two-legged series at home against a fellow Mexican club (excluding finals), América has two losses and one win. However, they still advanced in two of those three series (against Santos Laguna in the 2015/16 semifinals and Chivas in the 2024 Round of 16), with only one elimination (against Deportivo Toluca in the 2002/03 semifinals). The match also marked the first time América lost due to an own goal since the 2008/09 season.

The winner will play either Cruz Azul or Seattle Sounders FC in the quarterfinals.

LA Galaxy vs. CS Herediano

LA Galaxy hosts CS Herediano at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA. Herediano won 1-nil at home in the first leg.

Elías Aguilar made history for Herediano with his match-winning goal in the first leg. Aguilar reached five goals in the Champions Cup, becoming Herediano’s third all-time scorer in the tournament.

CS Herediano has won three of its last four series when playing the second leg away, staying unbeaten in those successful campaigns. LA Galaxy has been strong at home against Central American clubs, remaining unbeaten in their last three encounters (2-1-0). The Galaxy has advanced in two of the last three times they played the second leg at home against a Central American side.

The winner of this series will advance to play either Tigres UANL or FC Cincinnati in the quarterfinals.