The premier tournament in Central America, North America, and the Caribbean opened with a round of 16 matchups.
Mexican clubs in the CONCACAF Champions League saw their long-standing dominance waver, echoing the recent run in which Pumas were toppled by the Seattle Sounders in the 2022 edition, breaking a 16-year streak of Mexican champions in the competition.
The continental event returned in 2023, with Atlas, Leon, Pachuca, and Tigres representing Mexican football as they aimed to reclaim regional supremacy.
The coverage here provides a complete overview of the CONCACAF Champions League 2023 for fans in North America and beyond.
WHEN DOES IT START?
The Champions begin with the round of 16 across the week beginning Tuesday, March 7, 2023 and concluding on Thursday, March 9, 2023, with the participating teams confirmed for each leg.
CLASSIFIED TEAMS
These clubs have secured their places in the tournament:
- Atlas (Mexico) | Opening Champion 2021
- Club León (Mexico) | Runner-up of Apertura 2021
- Pachuca (Mexico) | Finalist 2022
- Tigres UANL (Mexico) | Sub-champion of Clausura 2022
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS 2023 DRAW
In November 2022, the round of 16 draw placed the confirmed teams into two pots, organizing the potential matchups and pathways to the later rounds.
POTS
- Pot 1: Atlas, Pachuca, León, Los Angeles FC, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Austin FC.
- Pot 2: Alajuelense, FC Alajuelense, Violet AC, Olimpia, Motagua, Real España, Tigres UANL, and Club León.
ROUND OF 16
First legs of the round of 16 were played on consecutive days:
Tuesday, March 7
Violette AC (HAI) 3-0 Austin FC (USA)
Alianza FC (SLV) 0-0 Philadelphia Union (USA)
Tigres UANL (MEX) 0-0 Orlando City SC (USA)
Wednesday, March 8
Tauro FC (PAN) 0-1 Club León (MEX)
CD Olimpia (HON) 4-1 Atlas FC (MEX)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (CAN) 5-0 CD Spain (HON)
Thursday, March 9
Motagua (HON) 0-0 Pachuca (MEX)
LD Alajuelense (CRC) 0-3 Los Angeles FC (USA)
Second legs followed the week of March 14–16, yielding compelling results across North America and the Caribbean.
Tuesday, March 14
Austin FC (USA) 2-0 Violette AC (HAI)
Philadelphia Union (USA) 4-0 Alianza FC (SLV)
Atlas FC (MEX) 4-0 CD Olimpia (HON)
Wednesday, March 15
RCD España (HON) 3-2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (CAN)
Orlando City SC (USA) 1-1 Tigres UANL (MEX)
Los Angeles FC (USA) 1-2 LD Alajuelense (CRC)
Thursday, March 16
Club León (MEX) vs Tauro FC (PAN) at 7pm
Pachuca (MEX) vs Motagua (HON) at 9pm
QUARTERFINALS
First legs of the quarterfinals were scheduled with some fixtures to be confirmed:
Violet AC (HAI) vs TBA
Philadelphia Union (USA) vs Atlas (MEX)
Tigres (MEX) vs TBA
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (CAN) vs LAFC (USA)
Second legs in the quarterfinals also listed as TBA, with other matchups to be announced as the bracket progresses.
SEMI-FINALS
First legs of the semi-finals were to be announced, followed by second legs to complete the tie entries as teams push toward the final.
FINAL STAGE
The concluding phase of the tournament was to be confirmed, with dates and venues to be finalized as the competition wound toward its decisive matches.
KEYS
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- 52% Real Betty
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Source: Goal