Union dreaming big against Mexico’s Club América in Concacaf Champions League semifinals
The semifinal winner advances to the Club World Cup to play alongside the winners of every continental club competition. An MLS team has never won in the Champions League era that dates back to 2008.
When the Union set out on their Concacaf Champions League voyage, manager Jim Curtin dared his team to dream.
Thursday’s clash with Club América of Mexico inside the Estadio Azteca is one of the biggest dreams you can have in the competition.
“Our players have worked hard to get here and I’ve asked them, dating back as early as we played Saprissa in this competition, to dream, eventually move on in this competition and play the champions of Europe,” Curtin said.
“That’s our goal. It sounds like a crazy dream, but we’re here now and have two very difficult games against a strong Club América team,” Curtin said.
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The CCL winner advances to the Club World Cup to play alongside the winners of every continental club competition. A Major League Soccer team has never won in the CCL era that dates to 2008.
In the last three years, seven Mexican sides advanced to the CCL semifinals compared to four from MLS. Only two of those MLS squads (Toronto FC in 2018 and Los Angeles FC in 2020) advanced past the final four.
In the first of two legs Thursday in Mexico City, the Union’s goal is not to win, but to produce a favorable result, and then to come home and play more open in the second leg on Sept. 15.
“It’s a great opponent, one we respect a great deal,” Curtin said. “We have to be organized in how we approach the game. If you make mistakes in Azteca against América, they punish you.”
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The Union have to bank on their experience, led by captain Alejandro Bedoya.
“It’s no secret we have a very young group,” Curtin said. “To have guys like Bedoya, who have played in big games on the international stage, it’s invaluable.”
The Union also need to avoid an early concession. They allowed six goals in the first 11 minutes of league games. If they avoid an early blunder and remain close on the scoreboard, the dream can stay alive for another month.
“This is what dreams are made out of. This is a big opportunity for every player, for our club, our league,” Curtin said. “This is it. Estadio Azteca is one of the most world-renowned venues. It’s a great opportunity for all of us to try and get a result for ourselves, the club and the fans.”