With an extended format and teams making their debut in the competition, the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League is set to keep fans on the edge of their seats when the new edition of the tournament kicks off.
With the CONCACAF League over a couple of weeks ago, there are seventeen teams eager to make a lasting impression in the upcoming tournament. The competition will follow the same format as last year's edition, but there will be a three-month pause between the Quarterfinals and the semi-finals, so that all teams can update their squads during the summer and to give the winner a better chance of doing better in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Just as it has been in the most recent editions, four teams from the MLS and four more from the Liga MX will start the tournament as favorites. Mexican teams have dominated the tournament since 2006 and they will try to keep that streak going.
Here's the list of teams that will be playing in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.
Liga MX: América, Cruz Azul, León, Monterrey.
MLS: Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union(debut), Portland Timbers, Atlanta United.
Costa Rica: Alajuelense, Saprissa.
Honduras: Olimpia, Marathon.
Canada: Hamilton Forge OR Toronto FC.
Dominican Republic: Atlético Pantoja.
Haití: Arcahaie (debut).
Nicaragua: Real Estelí.
Before the draw, all teams were divided in two pots. Liga MX, MLS clubs, and the Canadian team were included in Pot 1, while the remaining teams were allocated in Pot 2. Here are the results of the draw, which will see the teams with an "A" next to them hosting the return leg in the Round of 16.
