The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Final is set to deliver an unforgettable clash between two giants of the region: Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul, Mexico’s storied powerhouse, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the underdog MLS side that has defied expectations at every turn. On the line? Not just the prestigious title of continental champion, but a ticket to the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and a coveted spot in the expanded 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. For Vancouver, this is a chance to etch their name in history as only the second MLS team to lift the trophy in the modern era. For Cruz Azul, it’s an opportunity to tie Club América’s record seven titles and reaffirm Liga MX’s dominance in this competition.

The stage is set at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City—Cruz Azul’s home ground and the very stadium where Vancouver pulled off a miraculous comeback against Pumas UNAM in the quarterfinals. But this time, the Whitecaps won’t just be facing a hostile crowd; they’ll be battling history itself. Mexican clubs have won 18 of the last 20 editions of this tournament, and Cruz Azul earned home-field advantage by finishing atop the knockout stage standings (12 points to Vancouver’s 10).

The Path to Glory: Two Teams, One Dream

Cruz Azul’s Ruthless March to the Final

The Liga MX titans have been near-flawless in their campaign, bulldozing opponents with a 15-3 aggregate scoreline across the knockout rounds. Their journey began with a 7-0 demolition of Haitian side Real Hope, followed by a commanding 4-1 aggregate win over Seattle Sounders FC. Then came the real tests:

• A gritty 2-1 quarterfinal victory over archrivals Club América, sealed by Ángel Sepúlveda’s late brace after a tense 0-0 first leg.
• A hard-fought 2-1 semifinal triumph over Tigres UANL, where Sepúlveda once again delivered—this time from the penalty spot—to send La Máquina through.

Cruz Azul’s success has been built on defensive solidity (led by Gonzalo Piovi and goalkeeper Kevin Mier) and the clinical finishing of Sepúlveda, who leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race with seven goals. With midfield maestro Mateusz Bogusz (tied for the competition lead in assists) pulling the strings, they are a well-oiled machine.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC: The Cinderella Story

No one saw this coming. The Whitecaps, once considered an afterthought in MLS, have shocked the continent with a historic run to their first-ever Concacaf Champions Cup Final. Their path has been nothing short of cinematic:

• A dramatic 3-2 aggregate comeback vs. Deportivo Saprissa, where Brian White’s brace overturned a first-leg deficit.
• A nail-biting away-goals triumph over CF Monterrey (3-3 agg..), with White, Ali Ahmed, and Ryan Gauld delivering crucial strikes.
• The miracle in Mexico City vs. Pumas UNAM (3-3 agg..), where Tristan Blackmon’s 93rd-minute header sent them through on away goals.
• A stunning 5-1 semifinal demolition of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF, including a 3-1 statement win in Florida.

This is a team that refuses to die. Brian White (5 goals in the tournament) has been a lethal force, while Pedro Vite (game-winner vs. Real Salt Lake) and Sebastian Berhalter (suspended for the final) have stepped up in critical moments. And with captain Ryan Gauld potentially returning from injury, Vancouver’s attack could be even sharper.

Key Battles: Who Will Decide the Final?

Cruz Azul’s Weapons: Vancouver Must Stop

• Ángel Sepúlveda – The tournament’s top scorer is a cold-blooded finisher. If he gets service, he will punish mistakes.
• Kevin Mier – The goalkeeper has been a wall, making crucial saves and organising Cruz Azul’s backline.
• Gonzalo Piovi – If fit, the defensive rock will be tasked with neutralising White and Gauld.

Vancouver’s X-Factors

• Brian White – The USMNT striker is in the form of his life. If he gets service, he will score.
• Tristan Blackmon – The hero against Pumas is also a defensive stalwart. His leadership will be vital.
• Ryan Gauld – If he plays, his creativity could unlock Cruz Azul’s defence.

The Stakes: More Than Just a Trophy

For Cruz Azul, this is about legacy. A seventh title would tie them with América as the most decorated club in Concacaf history. For Vancouver, it’s about making history—proving that an MLS team without global superstars can conquer the region.

And let’s be real: Vancouver is a marketing nightmare compared to Inter Miami. No Messi, no glitz—just grit, teamwork, and relentless belief…the PR team have to make the most of their lesser-known superstars to attract players to the games. Yet, they are doing all the hard yards on the pitch.

Prediction: Who Lifts the Cup?

Cruz Azul has the experience, home advantage, and firepower. But Vancouver has defied logic at every turn. If they can survive the Mexico City altitude and hostile crowd, they might pull off the most remarkable upset in Concacaf history.

One thing is sure: This final Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 will be unforgettable.

Will Cruz Azul cement their dynasty? Or will Vancouver Whitecaps FC shock the world? Tune in and witness history.

History in the Concacaf Champions Cup

Cruz Azul has a rich and successful history in this competition, formerly known as the Concacaf Champions’ Cup. They are one of the most successful clubs in the tournament’s history. This will be their ninth appearance in the final.

Cruz Azul has won the tournament six times previously:

• 1969: Their first international trophy was won in the fifth edition of the tournament. They defeated Comunicaciones in the final after advancing past Saprissa. The final second leg was played in Mexico City, where Cruz Azul won 1-0. This title was their fourth trophy in four months, marking the birth of “La Máquina”.
• 1970: They successfully defended their title, advancing past New York Greek American Atlas Astoria. In the final round, the other teams, Saprissa and Transvaal, retired from the tournament, giving Cruz Azul an automatic bicampeonato.
• 1971: Cruz Azul achieved a tricampeonato in a final round played entirely in Guatemala City. They finished tied on points with Alajuelense, forcing a playoff final which was played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on April 19, 1972. Cruz Azul won the playoff 5-1. Octavio Muciño was a key player, scoring nine goals in seven matches, a club record in the tournament until 2011.
• 1996: After 25 years, Cruz Azul won the title again. They eliminated Victoria and Alajuelense in earlier rounds. The champion was decided in a final phase in Guatemala City. Cruz Azul tied Necaxa, defeated Comunicaciones, and had an 11-0 victory over Seattle Sounders, which automatically declared them champions.
• 1997: Just a month after winning in 1996, the next edition began. Cruz Azul defeated Comunicaciones in the quarterfinals and fellow Mexican side Chivas in the semifinals in Washington, D.C.. The final was against the first MLS champion, Los Ángeles Galaxy, at the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on August 24, 1997. Cruz Azul came back from a 0-2 deficit to win 5-3, securing their fifth title and a bicampeonato.
• 2014: After losses in the 2009 and 2010 finals, Cruz Azul returned and won in a new format. They advanced from the group stage with a perfect record. In the quarterfinals and semifinals, they overcame first-leg deficits against Sporting Kansas City and Xolos, respectively, winning the return legs at Estadio Azul. The final was against fellow Mexican club Toluca. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Estadio Nemesio Díez secured Cruz Azul their sixth title on the away goal rule. This also marked the third title for coach Luis Fernando Tena with Cruz Azul, equaling Raúl Cárdenas’s record.

Cruz Azul holds several records in the tournament. They have the most wins in the tournament’s history, with 68 to date. Javier “Chuletita” Orozco is the historical top scorer of CONCACAF, scoring 25 goals, 24 of which were for Cruz Azul. Four of the top 10 historical scorers in the competition played for Cruz Azul. The club has had seven top goal scorers in the tournament, and Ángel Sepúlveda leads the current edition with seven goals. Cruz Azul is the only team to have won the tournament the first three times they participated. They have been crowned champions undefeated on four occasions, and could achieve this for a fifth time in the upcoming final.

A Historic Opportunity for Canadian Soccer

For Vancouver Whitecaps FC, this final represents a momentous opportunity not just for the club, but for Canadian soccer as a whole. They are vying to become the first Canadian club ever to lift the Concacaf Champions Cup trophy. This is the third time a Canadian team has reached the final, following CF Montréal in 2014/15 and Toronto FC in 2018, both of whom finished as runners-up. Standing in their way is Cruz Azul, a club from Mexico, a nation with a historically dominant record in this competition, boasting 39 titles over 63 years, including 18 of the last 20 editions. Cruz Azul themselves have won the tournament six times previously. The final is being held in Mexico City, adding another layer of challenge for the Canadian side. This quest for a historic first Canadian title takes on added significance as Canada is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico. With Vancouver itself being a host city for the World Cup, securing a continental title against a top Mexican club, in Mexico, would be a powerful statement about the growth and potential of Canadian soccer on the regional stage ahead of hosting the global tournament.