Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals conclude this week in Concacaf

MIAMI — This week in Concacaf is headlined by the second leg matches of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals as two clubs will move forward in their chase for this year’s trophy and a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Pachuca hosts Club America on Tuesday at the Estadio Hidalgo in Hidalgo, Pachuca. The two Mexican clubs played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Alejandro Zendejas opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the tournament to move into second place in the Golden Boot race, two goals behind Pachuca striker Salomon Rondon. Andres Micolta tied the game prior to halftime in what marked the 1000th goal for Mexican clubs in the Champions Cup since the 2008-09 format change.

There must be a winner in the second leg of the Pachuca-America series, meaning a draw would force extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout. Pachuca has not lost a CCC match at home since 2001. Club America has not lost a semifinal of the tournament against a Mexican rival since 2003.

CF Monterrey hosts Columbus Crew on Wednesday at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon. The MLS champions defended their home field with a 2-1 victory in the first leg. Juan Camilo Hernandez and Jacen Russell Rowe scored for the Crew while Maximiliano Meza kept Rayados within one as the series now heads to Mexico.

Monterrey has advanced in the five semifinals they have played since the 2008-09 edition, going on to win the title every time, and has not lost a knockout round in the Champions Cup since 2005. The club holds a streak of 20 consecutive series victories and has won 11 of its last 12 CCC home encounters.

Columbus Crew is playing its first semifinals series in the Champions Cup and looks to advance to its first final. The MLS side visited Monterrey in the previous round, eliminating Tigres UANL on penalties.