I agree with this, although with the creation of the Ohio Health Performance Center on the grounds of Historical Crew Stadium, I think the "same level of investment" needs to be noted as "pre Haslam" and "post Haslam". After Lamar Hunt died his sons neglected Columbus and Precourt actively tried to kill the team completely. All aspects of the team and facilities has changed since Dee Haslam took over ownership.
If only it was accurate. 3rd best league record is not mid table. Nor is 2 MLS Cups. If Columbus win the final (knock on wood), they will be the first team to hold MLS Cup and the CONCACAF crown at the same time. 1998 DC won CONCACAF and won the 1999 MLS Cup, but the 1999 CONCACAF title was decided a month before, Necaxa over Alajuelense. LA won CONCACAF in 2000 but their first MLS win was 2002. Seattle won CONCACAF in 2022, but their mostcrecent MLS win was 2019.
Further, 2022 Columbus led the league in goals, goal difference, and possession, IIRC. That is not a mid table team.
So the long layoff for Pachuca...that hurts or helps them? I'm leaning towards hurts since they'll be out of the weekly game rhythm, but more rest is never a bad thing either.
They aren't resting, that's for sure. They're having friendlies. Not at the same intensity that a regular season/play offs will offer but they aren't sitting around waiting for the CCC final. Does it help or hurt? Don't know. But 3 weeks isn't that long if you stay active.
@Salmos is our Pachuca guy, id say it helps as they get a much needed break and let some of their guys rest.
I believe Leon had a similar rest last year, and they won. The biggest advantage is the game is at home, at altitude.
This is the 27th CONCACAF Champions Cup/League tournament MLS teams have entered. The previous 26 winners by country: Mexico: 21 USA: 3 Costa Rica: 2 54 Finalists by nation: Mexico: 38 USA: 8 Costa Rica: 5 Canada: 2 Honduras: 1
In the all-time winners list, the USA can leave El Salvador behind with a Columbus victory: Code: Countrywise list of winners Mexico 38 Costa Rica 6 El Salvador 3 USA 3 Guatemala 2 Haiti 2 Honduras 2 Surinam 2 Trinidad and Tobago 2
Apologies. I screwed up my list, big time. Thanks for the correction. 38: Mexico 6: Costa Rica 3: USA, El Salvador 2: Honduras, Suriname, Haiti, Guatamala, T&T
As an anecdote, another Moroccan (Soufiane Rahimi) was absolutely key in delivering the Asian Champions League to Al Ain of the UAE. Beating Ronaldo's Al Nassr and Neymar's Al Hilal in the process - and scoring two against Yokohama F. Marinos last night:
These are the 6️⃣ clubs with more #Concachampions Finals played 🏆@Tuzos 🔜 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/RKsaajEN02— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) May 25, 2024 Honoring a heritage of Champions 🏆#ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/WjYi6AhgXo— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) June 8, 2023 Will the Crew logo make it on there? Columbus come into this match with three consecutive road wins. Montreal, Chicago and Orlando. Pachuca have been idle but did play a friendly against Atlético Morelia (second division) last night. They won 12:0.
Actually, 4 consecutive road wins. 3 in a row in league, plus the win at Monterrey. The last road match they didn't win was a heavily rotated 0-0 draw at RSL the match after the draw at Tigres, which was won in PKs. 5-4-1 (WDL) on the road this year. The loss being a match they got an early red in Charlotte.
So the final is next Saturday opposite an entire slate of league games? way to make it so the CCL final doesn’t feel like a big deal.
Well, it was supposed to be on Sunday, but it got moved to Sat because of Mexican elections taking place on the 2nd.
Referee appointment: https://www.concacaf.com/champions-cup/news/2024-concacaf-champions-cup-referee-appointments-final/ Apparently about 200 Crew fans will make the trip.