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Historically, Liga MX has dominated the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but this year’s semifinal round includes just two teams from Mexico’s first division and two teams from Major League Soccer.
We have three nations represented in the last four for the first time in five years, when Honduran club C.D. Olimpia made it this far.
MLS has had two other teams win this trophy – LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. Canadian sides CF Montreal and Toronto FC have made it to the final.
CONCACAF Champions Cup Odds: Semifinal Leg 1 Preview & Schedule
So who will navigate their way to the trophy this time? First, we have a two-leg semifinal tie to sort out. We have sports betting previews of the first leg, as well as some thoughts on the eventual winner.
Tigres UANL (+116) vs Cruz Azul (+244) (Draw +228)
When: Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 pm ET
Vancouver Whitecaps (+123) vs Inter Miami (+199) (Draw +248)
When: Thursday, April 24, 10:30 pm ET
^CONCACAF Champions Cup Odds provided by Xbet
Rundown of the Tournament: Favorites? Upsets? Surprises?
Tigres
They have the most experience in this tournament of the remaining four. They are also coming out of a reasonably successful Liga MX Clausura campaign, where they finished fourth and will advance to the playoffs. They’ve also dealt with the most recent change in leadership – it’s barely been a month since Guido Pizzaro was promoted from player to manager. Another veteran, André-Pierre Gignac, almost 40 years old, is the top scorer for Tigres in Liga MX with seven tallies. They also beat Cruz Azul in the Clausura campaign, 2-1. They’ve also beaten Miami recently (2-1, back in August 2024) and Vancouver, winning four of five showdowns over the last eight years. But are they the favorites? Actually, they would be a surprise to win if they can push through, based on the other teams.
Vancouver
Whitecaps lead the MLS standings as well as some key statistical categories. This is a team that focuses on possession. Getting by Inter Miami will be another gauntlet, but the Whitecaps are led by Brian White’s nine tallies in 14 goals in all competition this year, as well as defensive midfielder Andres Cubas, who is one of the few players in the world that has managed to keep Lionel Messi in check. But until they beat Inter Miami, they won’t be the favorite.
Cruz Azul
Mexican team has a strong chance to get this trophy. They won the Liga MX Apertura season before struggling in the early part of the Clausura. However, they finished with three wins in their last five contests and came in third ahead of the playoffs. Their offense has a lot of contributors – in a 17-match Clausura season, five different players had at least five goals. Angel Sepulveda led the way with nine. They’ve already stopped Seattle Sounders and the tournament favorites, Club America, in the quarterfinal. They’re a hot team right now – the hottest of the four.
On paper, Inter Miami are the favorites
They have four players who have won UEFA Champions League titles – Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Changing to Javier Mascherano as head coach has led to a bit of a drop in 2025 – they drew in MLS play against Toronto FC and Chicago Fire FC, and they barely beat the Columbus Crew. However, this is a team that has stayed focus in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. They are the favorites on paper, but I’m leaning toward Cruz Azul at this point.
Leg 2 Schedule
Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps
When: Wednesday, April 30, 8:00 pm ET
Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL
When: Thursday, May 1, 10:00 pm ET
^ ^Top Moments from the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals https://t.co/BQGqyyfbgP
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) April 18, 2025
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CONCACAF Champions Cup Odds, Semifinals Leg 1 Prediction
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