The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final is a battle between tradition and promise, pitting one of Mexico's most historic clubs against a Canadian club making history daily. On one side, Cruz Azul seeks its seventh tournament title, tying the all-time mark for the tournament. On the other side is Vancouver Whitecaps, which would be the first Canadian club to win that trophy and only the second MLS club to claim the modern-era version.
On the field, besides the trophy, qualification for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and 2029 Club World Cup are available. Global recognition, a prize fund, and a chance to face European and South American powerhouses add to what is already a highly sought-after title.
Cruz Azul brings weight, history, and championship trophies
Cruz Azul's path speaks for itself. They defeated Real Hope FA, Seattle Sounders, Club América, and Tigres UANL. They defeated their perennial rivals, endured pressures, weathered hostile conditions, and fought their way into the final through sheer dominance. They have six Champions Cup titles (1969, 1970, 1971, 1996, 1997, and 2013/14) and a team with a blend of experience and individuality this time.
Ángel Sepúlveda is a cut above. Seven goals, one a round minimum, and joint-second for shots on target in the tournament behind Lionel Messi. Wearing number 9, he’s the game-changer up front for Cruz Azul. Together with him, Mateusz Bogusz has three assists, level with Tigres’ Juan Brunetta for most assists.
There are three clean sheets and nine saves for stopper Kevin Mier. This is a team that knows how to endure but when and how to move forward. Interim manager Vicente Sánchez took charge when the team did in January and he enters the final in confident spirits. A competition winner before already, a player back in 2003 for Toluca, he now aims to win it for the first time as a manager.
It's bucking trends and starved for more
On the contrary, Vancouver Whitecaps. A club that a few years back had a vision to be a fringe player when it comes to continental affairs finds itself one match away from rewriting history. Statistics already shine brightly: 15 games undefeated across competitions, Western Conference leaders of Major League Soccer by 32 points, and consistent effort in Concacaf.
Whitecaps sent Deportivo Saprissa, CF Monterrey, Pumas UNAM, and Inter Miami packing. Four titans, three countries, one trend: This team won't back down. Away from home, the trend has been all the more impressive. They earned hard-fought ties at Monterrey (2-2 in Torreón), Pumas (2-2 in Mexico City), and a 3-1 win over Messi and crew from Florida.
Brian White is the team leader with five goals and a significant contributor up front. Clutch in nearly every round, he demonstrated a keen goal sense and ability to deliver when called upon. Sebastian Berhalter, who contributed three goals and two assists, played very well, but will be out for the final due to yellow card accumulation.
That leaves more responsibility on Andrés Cubas. The Paraguayan has impressive statistics to his credit: an assist, 11 tackles, four interceptions, and a fraction below 86% of passes successfully completed. Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has been consistent.
He has accumulated 18 saves over the tournament and has registered two clean sheets. Coach Jesper Sorensen took over in January and is pursuing a very first-ever foreign title.
The Danish manager has structured a tightly knit team, dealing admirably with rotation, intensity, and responsibility from a tactics viewpoint. The team is hard-pressing without ever being naive and very clinical when called for.