Cruz Azul seeks seventh Champions Cup title, Whitecaps FC eyes first trophy | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup is set to close with an epic battle in the Final between Cruz Azul and Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 1 at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico.

Cruz Azul aims to win a record-tying seventh Concacaf Champions Cup. Vancouver Whitecaps FC is in the hunt for its first CCC trophy and seeks to become the first Canadian club to win the continental crown.

Ahead of the 2025 Final, we review the six conquests for La Máquina and the ‘Caps previous participations.

Cruz Azul’s Champions Cup titles

1969 – The first of many

Cruz Azul claimed the Champions Cup in the club’s first Final appearance in 1969. The Mexico City side faced Comunicaciones FC in the two-legged series, with the first leg resulting in a scoreless draw at Estadio Nacional Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.

The return fixture at Estadio Azteca also presented a tight encounter, with defender Juan Manuel Alejándrez breaking the deadlock in the 82’ to provide the historic title-winning goal.

1970 – First back-to-back winner

In 1970, Cruz Azul became the first back-to-back champion. The club was declared the winner of the competition after Deportivo Saprissa and SV Transvaal withdrew from the tournament.

1971 – First to win three in a row

Played in a group format, the 1971 edition saw Cruz Azul and LD Alajuelense compete in a playoff match to decide the champion after both teams tied for first place.

La Máquina claimed a 5-1 win to become the first to win three consecutive Champions Cup titles. Fernando Bustos scored the first goal for Cruz Azul, followed by braces from Eladio Vera and Octavio Muciño to seal the result.

1996 – Record-tying fourth crown

Cruz Azul lifted its fourth Champions Cup trophy by topping the group with an undefeated record of two wins and a draw.

Los Cementeros delivered an impressive 11-nil win over the Seattle Sounders in the team’s final match, with Carlos Hermosillo and Julio Cesar Yegros each scoring hat-tricks.

1997 – First five-time champion

Cruz Azul claimed the crown again in 1997 to become the tournament’s first five-time champion and second back-to-back winner.

Los Cementeros defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 5-3 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C., USA in the highest-scoring single-leg final in the tournament’s history. Goals from Benjamin Galindo, Johan Rodríguez, and Héctor Adomaitis, and a brace by Hermosillo led Cruz Azul to victory.

2013/14 – New record sixth title

La Máquina’s last title conquest featured a hard-fought series in the Final against fellow Liga MX side Club Deportivo Toluca. With a nil-nil draw at home in the first leg, the victor would be determined at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, Mexico in the return fixture.

The second leg resulted in a 1-1 draw, with Argentine striker Mariano Pavone scoring to help the club win a then-record sixth crown on away goals.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Champions Cup

2015/16 – Champions Cup debut

The 2015/16 edition presented the Whitecaps’ debut in the competition. The Canadians featured in Group F alongside the Seattle Sounders and CD Olimpia, finishing third with a win, a draw and two losses.

2016/17 – First Semifinals appearance

Whitecaps FC reached the Semifinals stage for the first time at the 2016/17 edition. The Canadians claimed the top spot in Group C, which also featured Sporing Kansas City and Central FC, with a perfect record of four wins.

The ‘Caps advanced 3-1 on aggregate against New York Red Bulls in the Quarterfinals. The Canadian club’s run concluded in the Semifinals falling 4-1 on aggregate against Tigres UANL.

2023 and 2024 – Early exits

In 2023, the team returned to the competition after six years. Whitecaps FC opened its campaign with a resounding 7-3 aggregate win over Real España in the Round of 16, before being eliminated by fellow MLS side Los Angeles FC in the Quarterfinals.

The Whitecaps exited in Round One during the 2024 edition, falling 4-1 on aggregate against Tigres UANL.

2025 – First Final appearance

The Canadian club’s journey to the Final began in Round One with a 3-2 comeback win on aggregate against Deportivo Saprissa. The team advanced 3-3 on away goals victory over CF Monterrey in the Round of 16 and the same result against Pumas UNAM in the Quarterfinals.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC advanced to its first CCC Final with a consecutive win against Inter Miami CF in the Semifinals, culminating in a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory.