And in Central America, defending champions Alajuelense held off a laudable effort from Comunicaciones to round out the semifinalists and determine the play-in matchups, with Saprissa vs. Comunicaciones and Motagua vs. Águila for the last available berths (2). To quickly recap, the remaining qualifiers besides the above are: 3 from the Caribbean Cup, 2 from the CanPL, 2 from the MLS regular season and the MLS Cup winner. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [MLS1 or USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [CENTAM, GUA1 or GUA2] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2, MLS3, MLS4 or MLS5] 16. Herediano [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2]
Well, now that you mention it We have an additional update from further up north: FORGE ARE CPL SHIELD WINNERS! 🟠#CanPL pic.twitter.com/FYBc67TvQY— TrueNorthFoot ⚽️🇨🇦 (@truenorthfoot) October 6, 2024 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [CENTAM, GUA1 or GUA2] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2, MLS3, MLS4 or MLS5] 16. Herediano [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2]
The MLS regular season will draw to a close on Saturday... and with my Orlando City no longer in the running, the last two Champions Cup berths available from the regular season will be disputed between Cincinnati, Seattle and Real Salt Lake.
Cincy decided not to leave anything to chance and punched their own ticket, winning at Philadelphia to guarantee a top-four MLS regular season finish among non-Leagues Cup-qualified teams. It's now a dead heat between RSL and Seattle for the last regular season berth, with the latter on the inside track thanks to their superior # of wins. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [CENTAM, GUA1 or GUA2] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
At the last, Seattle settled for a draw with archrivals Portland and RSL took advantage to confirm their long-awaited continental return! The last US berth will go to the MLS Cup winner, who will emerge from the following bracket: Locked in. 🔒The 2024 Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs are set. pic.twitter.com/wAqiTRTUR3— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2024 In the meanwhile, we turn our attention to the Central American play-ins and the Caribbean semifinals coming up over the next two weeks... as well as the Canadian Premier League playoffs, with the Final on Nov. 9 now set for a national broadcast 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [CENTAM, GUA1 or GUA2] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
Not gonna lie: this evening was the first time I've seen Saprissa play at home with anything close to their classic aura in the Central American Cup, and it was enough to overwhelm Comunicaciones 3-1 and (once again) enter the Champions Cup through the back door. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [CENTAM, GUA1 or GUA2] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3]
Hey, uh... Moca knew there was a game tonight, right? They got smoked in Jamaica (no pun intended) 7-0, while Motagua got a pair of away goals to ice their series against Águila and mark their return to the continental stage. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [CENTAM, GUA1 or GUA2] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB1 or JAM1] 23. Motagua [HON1]
Cibao doubled up on victories in their semifinal to mark their return to the continental stage (along with their iconic tree ), while Real Hope FA will take on Moca for the last berth from the Caribbean. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CENTAM or CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM, CRC1 or CRC2] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB or JAM1] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [CARIB or DOM1]
After a truly stunning comeback by Real Estelí (playing a man down!) last night, the Central American and Caribbean Cup championships are set, with three of the four finalists repeating from last year: LD Alajuelense (CRC) vs. Real Estelí (NCA) Cavalier (JAM) vs. Cibao FC (DOM) Meanwhile, up north, Forge lost their first match in the playoffs, and will now take on Atlético Ottawa in the semifinal tomorrow; should the regular season champs win, they will guarantee Cavalry's return to the Champions Cup as well. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [MLS1 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM or CRC1] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB or JAM1] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [CARIB or DOM1]
Yesterday, Forge ousted Ottawa en route to joining Cavalry in the CanPL Final; given that they also finished top 2 in the regular-season table, this outcome settles the league's representation in the next Champions Cup. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS1 or MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM or CRC1] 18. Forge [CPL1 or CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB or JAM1] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [CARIB or DOM1] 25. Cavalry [CPL1 or CPL2]
After so many turns as the bridesmaid since the league began, Cavalry finally got over the hump and won a league title! 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [MLS1 or LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [LC2 or LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM or CRC1] 18. Forge [CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB or JAM1] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [CARIB or DOM1] 25. Cavalry [CPL1]
Don't mind me, I'm just updating the list with the teams that have fallen out of the MLS playoffs... Speaking of which, the MLS Cup finalist out of the West (LA Galaxy or Seattle) will host the league championship, and either one winning the whole thing will bring the Sounders back to the continental stage. Meanwhile, Orlando City ( ) and the New York Red Bulls will chase the last Champions Cup ticket on their own merits. Over in the Caribbean, Real Hope FA took the first leg of the Third Place Match over Moca 1-0, with the series concluding next week. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM or CRC1] 18. Forge [CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB or JAM1] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [CARIB or DOM1] 25. Cavalry [CPL1]
Everything's wrapped up in the Caribbean... and it was a rough night for the Dominican hosts. Moca fell again to Real Hope FA in the 3rd-place match (no sign of the latter being able to play continental games at home in the near future ), while Cavalier punked Cibao with an away goal to go one better than last year and claim their regional title. The last qualifier will emerge from Saturday's MLS Cup Final... with Seattle standing to gain if LA Galaxy completes the race to seis. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [CENTAM or NCA] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM or CRC1] 18. Forge [CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [DOM1] 25. Cavalry [CPL1] 26. Real Hope FA [HAI1]
Estelí made it more of a contest than last year - if they had found an equalizer in injury time, they would've snuck their way to the Central American championship on away goals - but "Liga" successfully defended their title, and will join Cavalier in the Round of 16. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [NCA1] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or MLS3] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM] 18. Forge [CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS3 or MLS4] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS4 or MLS5] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [DOM1] 25. Cavalry [CPL1] 26. Real Hope FA [HAI1]
Aaaaaaaaand we're all done! The LA Galaxy got themselves a bye to the R16 by winning the league (according to everyone but FIFA ), passing along the hand-me-down in their pocket to Seattle. 2025 Champions Cup Qualifiers 1. Club América [MEX1] 2. Tigres UANL [MEX3] 3. CF Monterrey [MEX4] 4. Chivas [MEX5] 5. Pumas UNAM [MEX6] 6. Cruz Azul [MEX2] 7. Columbus Crew [LC1] 8. LAFC [LC2] 9. Colorado Rapids [LC3] 10. Sporting Kansas City [USOC] 11. Inter Miami [MLS2] 12. Vancouver Whitecaps [CAN] 13. Antigua GFC [GUA1] 14. Real Estelí [NCA1] 15. LA Galaxy [MLS1] 16. Herediano [CRC2] 17. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM] 18. Forge [CPL2] 19. FC Cincinnati [MLS3] 20. Real Salt Lake [MLS4] 21. Deportivo Saprissa [CRC3] 22. Cavalier [CARIB] 23. Motagua [HON1] 24. Cibao FC [DOM1] 25. Cavalry [CPL1] 26. Real Hope FA [HAI1] 27. Seattle Sounders [MLS5]