2025 CONCACAF Champions cup Semi-Finals 1st Leg Review

Reviewing the First Leg Action of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Semis

We have reached the big round before we get the two finalists for this season's CONCACAF Champions Cup Final. One side has an all-Liga MX Semis, while the other has an all-MLS Semis with one club from the USA and the other from Canada.

But what we had was a lot of excitement, fun, and heart-pounding action as these four clubs gave it their all. Cruz Azul, Tigres, Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps came out swinging and showed what they were worth.

TIGRES (MEX) 1:1 CRUZ AZUL (MEX)

Tigres is no stranger to this competition, as they have won it in the 2020 season under Tuca Ferretti, but those days are long gone. After going through their turmoil, they would face Cruz Azul at the Universitario.

No goals in the first half, but all the action came in the second half. Cruz Azul got the opening goal and the important away goal when Angel Sepulveda found Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi in front, and he smashed it in.

But Tigres found a way to level the match late in the 84th minute to get back into the tie. Juan Francisco Brunetta dribbled the ball down the middle of the park and made a nice pass to Jose Sanchez Purata for the equalizer.

The return leg will be on Thursday, May 1st at Cruz Azul's stadium at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (CAN) 2:0 INTER MIAMI (USA)

BC Place was packed for their opening leg match-up against Lionel Messi and his friends in Inter Miami. This was going to be the tone setter, before the match moves next week to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

But the opening goal came in the 24th minute when the Whitecaps were buzzing around inside the Miami area. Pedro Vite controlled the ball along the far side at the top of the area.

He floated the ball with a chip pass, that got plenty of height and Brian White made the attacking run. He leaped in the air, put his head on the ball, and opened the scoring.

All match long it was a strategic match from both head coaches. Both sides were attacking and just couldn't make that final moment happen, but late in the second half, the Whitecaps finally got that second goal.

In the 85th minute, Jayden Nelson ran toward the near side of the pitch and got the ball. He took a one time pass across the Miami area, Brian White dummied the ball and allowed Sebastian Berhalter to smash it top shelf for the two goal lead.

It was a magical night in Vancouver, but now the Whitecaps need to finish the job down in South Florida, knowing Messi, he will find a way to make magic at home to get the victory and someone will face either Cruz Azul or Tigres in the Final.