Major League Soccer

CONCACAF Champions League 2021: the MLS teams that qualified for the tournament

By Mauricio Saenz

The most important club tournament of North America has four MLS clubs that will try to end the Mexican streak. A review of the teams that will represent MLS at continental level.

The most important club tournament of North America has four MLS clubs that will try to end the Mexican streak. A review of the teams that will represent MLS at continental level.

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After Los Angeles FC defeat versus Tigres on the last CONCACAF Champions League final, MLS teams are waiting for the new edition to start. After 15 years of Mexican teams lifting the continental trophy, these four American teams wanting to end that drought once for all.

-Columbus Crew: the Ohio team is there due to being the champion of the last MLS Cup, won a few weeks ago defeating Seattle Sounders. They dominated America, and relying on Lucas Zelarayan and Gyasi Zardes, now they are going for the whole continent.

-Philadelphia Union: the Jim Curtin side earned its spot at the tournament by winning the MLS Supporters' Shield. After being the best of the whole regular season, they will feature in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time ever.

-Portland Timbers: when the activity returned after COVID-19 lockdown, Portland Timbers won the MLS is Back Tournament and got the ticket to the tournament, defeating Orlando City in the final. The captain Diego Valeri will want to win something internationally after eight years with the Timbers. 

-Atlanta United: the success of 2019 in US Open Cup gave them the spot for CONCACAF Champions League. After making it to the quarterfinals and after the appointment of Gabriel Heinze as the new manager, the United might have a good shot for the title this time.

Details of CONCACAF Champions League 2021

The tournament still has not a confirmed starting date, but it is said that it will start on February. Also, VAR will be introduced this season. This could be one of the last editions with 16 teams, because there are concrete plans of expanding the competition from 2023 and avoid a MLS-Liga MX merge.


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