The CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinals: A Tale of Destiny and Culture | OneFootball

The CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals are upon us, and we’re guaranteed an MLS vs. Liga MX final. We preview what to expect from the penultimate round, and give our prediction of who’ll advance to the final.

And then there were four. The 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup is set, with an all-MLS showdown on one side — Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps — and an all-Liga MX — Tigres and Cruz Azul — on the other.

All four teams arrive at the semifinals in a similar situation, having solid seasons in their respective leagues. This makes for one of the best groups of candidates to win the CCC in recent years.

Below is our preview of each series and our prediction for who makes the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps have been the surprise of the early MLS season, currently sitting in first place in the West with a 6-1-2 record in league play and a valiant CCC run featuring major upset wins over Saprissa, Monterrey, and Pumas UNAM.

The Whitecaps, despite internal turmoil as the club faces a potential sale and rumors of relocation, have turned adversity into motivation. A breakout season from United States men’s national team striker Brian White and the solid contributions of Jayden Nelson on the wing have powered their success.

Jesper Sørensen’s side has become difficult to break down, combining a potent attack with a stingy defense. Without question, the Whitecaps are the biggest surprise of the competition.

On the other hand, Inter Miami is exactly what we expect them to be — a team led by Lionel Messi and an attacking force that can be lethal when in rhythm. What Javier Mascherano’s side has notably improved is its defense and its ability to rely on performances from players outside the “Fantastic Four.”

Maximiliano Falcón has brought much-needed leadership at the back for the club, and combined with the exceptional play of Yannick Bright and Noah Allen, along with contributions from Fafà Picault, Miami has a balance that was missing last season.

This series will come down to culture. The Whitecaps have never experienced a stage like this, while Inter Miami features a squad with experience in the UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores, and the World Cup.

The gap in big-game experience will be massive, and CONCACAF will likely get its dream final: Inter Miami versus anyone.

Tigres vs. Cruz Azul

Vicente Sánchez has maintained a strong level of play at Cruz Azul, who are in the CCC semifinals for the first time since 2022. Led by Ángel Sepúlveda, Lorenzo Faravelli, and a well-organized defense, Cruz Azul dominated their series against Club América and have conceded just two goals in the tournament.

Tigres remains one of the most dominant sides in the region, though Guido Pizarro’s team no longer appears as invincible as it once did. Still, Tigres boast a core led by Nahuel Guzmán, Uriel Antuna, Fernando Gorriarán, and Nicolás Ibáñez.

This will be a tight series — as seen in last night’s 1-1 first leg draw — but look for Cruz Azul’s steady defense and cohesive team play to push La Máquina Cementera through to the CCC final.