León has returned the CONCACAF throne to Mexico. On Sunday night, at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, the team from the capital of Guanajuato defeated Los Angeles FC, led by Carlos Vela, by a single goal for an aggregate score of 3-1. With a solitary and fortunate goal from Lucas Di Yorio in the 19th minute, the Emerald team subdued the initial onslaught from the reigning champions of the MLS Cup, who were unable to convert their chances.
Liga MX dominates CONCACAF
Last year, another team from Mexico also reached the final. The Pumas faced the Seattle Sounders, and it was they who were crowned champions. Never in the history of the tournament had an MLS team defeated a Liga MX team in the final, and it was the first time in 15 years that a Mexican club did not become the champion.
Tonight, under the guidance of Nicolás Larcamón, they have once again asserted their authority and secured their first Concachampions trophy in their history. 30 years ago, in 1993, they reached the final stage of the tournament, which was played on a points basis in a round-robin format, and Saprissa emerged as the champions by defeating all their opponents.
This is title number 38 for Mexico in the CONCACAF Champions League, formerly the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, and León joins América, Cruz Azul, Pachuca, Monterrey, Pumas, Toluca, Chivas, Atlante, Necaxa, Atlético Español, Leones Negros de Guadalajara, Puebla, and Tigres as the national champions in this tournament.
The overal record in CONCACAF
Below is a list of all the teams to have won at least a single title, with Mexican club América leading the way.