MIAMI, Florida – The latest edition of the Concacaf Club Rankings (CCR) is out, and the results of games throughout the region’s top domestic leagues, plus the Concacaf Central American Cup and Concacaf Caribbean Cup, have resulted in many changes.
The Confederation launched a revamped rankings system earlier this year, with clubs gaining points for results in official domestic league matches, regional cup matches and Concacaf Champions Cup play.
The CCR will determine draw seedings and pots for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Draw for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup will take place on December 13. The rankings used for the Champions Cup Draw will be published on December 11.
Further detail explaining the rankings and how clubs earn points can be found here: Concacaf launches new ranking system for region’s clubs and leagues
Club America overtake Monterrey for top spot
Mexican giants and five-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners Monterrey had been atop the rankings for months, but now the zenith belongs to another Concacaf and Mexican giant, seven-time regional winners Club America. Las Aguilas won all four Liga MX matches since the last Concacaf Club Rankings, including a 3-0 win at Monterrey, and sit firmly atop the league table with a 10-point advantage over Tigres.
LAFC, Orlando City move into Top 10
In addition to Club America moving past Monterrey, several other changes took place in the Top 10 with a pair of Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, Los Angeles FC and Orlando City SC, replacing Nashville SC and Liga MX side Toluca in ninth and 10th place, respectively.
Places three through eight remained the same from last month, with Tigres, Club Leon, Toluca, Philadelphia Union, Chivas and Pachuca staying put before the introductions of LAFC and Orlando City.
Even with the changes to the Top 10, eight of the 10 clubs are already qualified for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup: Club America, Monterrey, Tigres, Toluca, Philadelphia Union, Chivas, Pachuca and Orlando City.
Alajuelense keep rolling and Comunicaciones reclaim fifth spot in Central American Top 10
The top four teams in Central America remained the same, with Honduran giants Olimpia heading the list. Second is 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup finalists Alajuelense of Costa Rica, while following in third and fourth are Saprissa and Herediano, respectively.
However, Comunicaciones’ domestic results and a series win in the Central American Cup Play-In round, coupled with CAI’s falling to Real Esteli of Nicaragua in the Central American Cup semifinals, resulted in Comunicaciones returning to the Top 5. CAI fell to seventh, one spot behind another Guatemalan club, Municipal, while rounding out the top 10 was Antigua GFC of Guatemala and Honduran sides Motagua and Marathon.
Caribbean Cup finalists Cavalier, Robinhood in Top 10
2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup finalists Cavalier of Jamaica come in as the fourth-highest team in the Caribbean Top 10, with Violette (HAI), Cibao FC (DOM) and Mount Pleasant (JAM) ahead of Cavalier. Arcahaie of Haiti replace Moca of the Dominican Republic in the fifth slot, but right behind in sixth is the other Caribbean Cup finalist, Robinhood of Suriname, who surged nine points since last month. The rest of the Caribbean Top 10 is rounded out by Waterhouse (JAM), Defence Force (TRI), Arnett Gardens (JAM) and Moca.
Real Esteli register biggest upset win
For another month the biggest upset win belongs to Real Esteli. Ranked 89th in October’s CCR, the Nicaraguans took down 52nd ranked CA Independiente of Panama 3-2 on aggregate in the Central American Cup semifinals, a whopping 37 places separating the two clubs.
Real Esteli once again big movers up Rankings
It has been a dream autumn for the fans of Real Esteli. The Nicaraguan club have skyrocketed up the rankings, moving up another 16 places to 73rd from 89th last month after reaching the Final of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup. Real Esteli have climbed an incredible 46 spots since the CCR was launched in July.
Canadian Premier League moves back in front of Panamanian league
After seeing the Panamanian league pass the Canadian Premier League in the October rankings, the CPL recovered its place ahead of the Panamanian domestic league thanks in large part to CAI’s defeat in the Central American Cup semifinals.
