(photo: Cruz Azul, cfcruzazul.com)
To be honest, If you told me at the start of the season that the Whitecaps would be in the Concacaf Champions Cup final, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are. And now, standing in the way is Cruz Azul — the final boss. If you’ve played Football Manager or FC25, you probably already know about Cruz Azul. They’re one of those teams you never want to face in the final and if you have no idea, I got you covered.
These guys aren’t new to this stage. Cruz Azul is one of the most successful clubs in Mexican football. People call them La Máquina — The Machine. They’ve already won the Concacaf title six times. They know how to win, and they’ve done it again and again.
They just knocked out Tigres in the semifinals with a 1–0 win with a late penalty. I watched the game review, solid at the back, clinical when it counts. That win got them a spot in the final against us. The game’s happening June 1 in Mexico City at Estadio Olímpico. Their usual homeground Estadio Azteca is under renovations for the World Cup. I guess it may not matter too much as it’s still their home turf, and if you have seen Mexican Liga MX, you know their fans will show up loud.
They’ve also been in good form in Liga MX. Sitting near the top of the table and heading into the playoffs with confidence. Their squad is deep, experienced and full of players who’ve been in high level games before. It’s not an easy task for the ‘caps.
(photo: Whitecaps FC, www.whitecapsfc.com)
The Whitecaps have had one of the best runs in club history. We’ve taken down Saprissa, Monterrey, and Inter Miami. Nobody expected us to make it this far, and maybe that’s our biggest strength. We play like we’ve got nothing to lose.
This is the biggest match we’ve ever played. If we win, it’s not just a trophy. It’s a ticket to the 2025 Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. That’s next-level big boys stuff.
Cruz Azul might be the favourites in South America and they might be the machine. But we’re the underdogs and we have a strong will to win. We’ve been proving people wrong all season and it’s just one more to prove at CONCACAF. Together We Dare. right?
I will be more than happy covering the title winning match of the ‘Caps in Mexico City on June 1, just needing someone to get me the air tickets and one media pass please? *wink