Cruz Azul’s Ángel Sepúlveda: Champions Cup trophy “would mean everything” | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Final could deliver the Top Scorer Award for Ángel Sepúvelda and a record-tying seven trophies for Cruz Azul when it hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 1 at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico.

Sepúvelda has been one of the main men for Los Cementeros in the 2025 edition. The Mexican striker is eyeing both his first title with Cruz Azul and first international title at the club level.

“It would mean everything,” Sepúvelda told Concacaf.com. “From the day I took on this challenge of coming to Cruz Azul, I took it on with great excitement, with a desire to transcend, to make my name known.

“I'd been playing for many years, and I was missing this: for a major team to give me that opportunity to show what I'm made of,” highlighted the 34-year-old forward.

Sepúlveda has been in scorching form to help Cruz Azul return to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. With seven goals and two assists in seven appearances, Sepúlveda is the leader in goal contributions and the Top Scorer Award race.

"Individual awards are important because, in the end, it means you did well throughout the tournament,” said Sepúlveda. “But the most important thing is winning the cup. That's what we have in mind, what the team wants. Obviously, if it comes with something else added on, it's going to be more enjoyable."

His goals have been instrumental, with several in heroic fashion, to propel the Mexico City side through each round. Among them was a late series-winner in the Quarterfinals second leg against cross-city rivals Club América and the lone goal to win the series against Tigres UANL in the Semifinals.

Despite the opportunity to add individual accolades to his trophy cabinet, the focus for the forward is gearing up for a tough encounter on Sunday.

“They're a very dynamic team,” Sepúlveda said of Whitecaps FC. “They've earned respect by eliminating some very important teams. They weren't considered the favorite in each round, and well, they eliminated everyone.

“We're going to play in the final,” Sepúlveda continued. “We must play our best to get that title.”

Sepulveda also pointed at his team’s resilience as one of its best qualities. As he recollected his favorite memories in the journey to the final, Sepúlveda recalled La Máquina’s ability to persevere in key moments.

“I think there are several highlights, but the second leg in the quarterfinals was the hardest to challenge to surpass,” said Sepúlveda. “They [América] had tied the score at 1-1, and the away goal would have eliminated us.

“When we conceded the goal, we didn't go crazy,” Sepúlveda reminisced. “The team knew we were going to score, we knew we had everything needed. We got going, the team worked hard and, thank God, we were able to achieve it.”