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Crew aims for second Campeones Cup, prepares for Liga MX’s Club America

Vaseline September 25, 2024

Cucho Hernandez could hardly take his eyes off the Campeones Cup trophy when he saw it with his own eyes on Tuesday, the day before the Crew’s match against Club America in the Liga MX.

The Campeones Cup is a one-match competition between the previous season’s MLS Cup champions and Liga MX’s Campeón de Campeones, which translates as Champion of Champions in Spanish. The champion vs champion format is similar to the Community Shield in England, with the champions of the English Premier League taking on the winner of the FA Cup tournament.

First played in 2018, the Campeones Cup lacks the history and weeks of build-up that the other trophies the Crew have played for this season have, but there is still tension surrounding the club despite this.

“Internally we realize it’s a big deal,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said. “Campeones seems new in this competition, but for most of us who follow world football, we know the Community Shield. And in France they have the Champions Trophy, they call it, which is similar to what we have in Campeones Cup.”

After winning the 2020 MLS Cup, the Crew competed in the 2021 Campeones Cup, defeating CF Cruz Azul 2-0 for the title at Lower.com Field. Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe is one of three players remaining with the Crew who were on the roster for the inaugural Campeones Cup.

“It was obviously a great game,” Nagbe said. “I got to host that game here as well. So I expect our fans to step up like they did, but I also expect their (Club America) fans to be here to support their team. So definitely a bigger game and a good environment.”

The Crew will face a different opponent in this year’s Campeones Cup: Club America, a team Columbus has played against before at Lower.com Field.

In the 2023 Leagues Cup, the Crew and Club America met in the last group stage match for both clubs. A few hours before the match, Columbus announced the transfer of designated player Lucas Zelarayan to Al Fateh of the Saudi Pro League.

Zelarayan’s departure, followed by the arrival of striker Diego Rossi two days later, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Crew under coach Wilfried Nancy.

The Crew opened with a 4-1 win over Club America in the Leagues Cup tournament, but played that match without key players who helped the club win the 2023 MLS Cup title and who are still in the squad, such as Rossi and defender Rudy Camacho.

“We have a competitive team,” Nancy said. “I’m very happy with the team I have. Last year is last year. This year is a new year. So it’s going to be a good match against a good team. I like playing against them because it’s a good tactical battle, and also a good intensity.”

With a recent Leagues Cup title, the Crew have a chance to win a third trophy in less than a year. They also have a chance to become the first MLS club to win a second Campeones Cup and are already the first to have competed in the competition multiple times.

Besides considering the Campeones Cup trophy as the “most beautiful trophy” the Crew has played for this season, Hernandez admitted that he is fully focused on the Campeones Cup and its trophy to continue making history with Columbus.

“Honestly, I didn’t think we would have so many trophies,” Hernandez said. “We have the chance to win another cup. It’s crazy, when you think about it. But everything is a process, a long process, and we deserve it. We deserve to be here.”

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