What is it?
The CONCACAF Champions' Cup is an annual soccer tournament that pits the top club teams from leagues in North America, Central America and the Caribbean against one another. The region's longest running international club competition, the Champions' Cup allows teams to compete against clubs from other countries that they might otherwise never face. The winner of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup also receives entry into the FIFA Club World Cup, an annual tournament featuring the top club team from each region around the globe.
Who is involved?
CONCACAF region teams that win their respective league championship receive an automatic invitation to participate in the Champions' Cup. It is, however, possible to qualify via other accomplishments. D.C. United, for example, gained entry to the Champions' Cup this season by claiming the MLS Supporters' Shield for putting together the best MLS regular season record. The Black-and-Red will now play Honduran champions CD Olimpia in the quarterfinal round.
This year's tournament includes teams from Guatemala (Deportivo Marquense), Trindad (W Connection FC), Costa Rica (Puntarenas FC), Honduras (CD Olimpia), Mexico (Pachuca CF and CD Ghadalajara) and the U.S. (D.C. United and Houston Dynamo). Check out the full tournament bracket >
How is it structured?
The tournament is a home-and-home knockout format. A drawing is held to determine the match-ups, and two teams then meet each other twice over a two-week span, with one home game for each team. The team that finishes the two matches with the most total goals advances to the next round.
When does it take place?
For D.C. United, it begins this week! D.C. United open play this Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. They play in Honduras against Olimpia at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports Espanol and North Cone. The return leg will take place at RFK Stadium on March 1 at 7 p.m. ET.
Should United advance past Olimpia, the club will move on to the semifinal stage, which will be played March 13-15, with the return leg held on April 3-5. The 2007 Champions' Cup final will begin on April 17-19, with the second leg to be played on April 24-26.
For more information, check out the official CONCACAF Champions' Cup website here >
To purchase tickets to United's March 1 game vs. Olimpia, click here >
