With both Leg 2s of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals set for this week, we are now closer to knowing who will host the one-match final in early June.
The host will be determined by who finishes with the best overall results (based on 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw) from their last six tournament matches leading up to the final.
Here's how those standings currently stand entering next week's second legs:
Team | Points | Goal differential | Goals scored |
|---|---|---|---|
Cruz Azul | 9 | +4 | 7 |
Tigres UANL | 9 | +3 | 8 |
Inter Miami | 9 | +3 | 7 |
Vancouver Whitecaps | 7 | +2 | 8 |
The winner of the second leg between Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL will have an edge in securing hosting rights, but all four semifinalists still have a chance.
Here's how each team could end up hosting, with scenarios only given through the first three tiebreaks of points, goal differential and goals scored. (The remaining tiebreaks, in order, are away goals, total wins, away wins, and then drawing lots.)
Cruz Azul
Will host with ...
- A win and Vancouver advancing
- A win by the same margin as Miami's win if Miami advances
- A 0-0 draw and Vancouver advancing with a draw or loss
- A 0-0 draw and Vancouver winning by one goal
Tigres UANL
Will host with ...
- A win and Vancouver advancing
- A win by the same margin as a Miami win, while scoring as many or more goals than Miami
- A draw and Vancouver advancing despite a draw or loss
- A draw, a Vancouver win, and outscoring Vancouver in Leg 2
Inter Miami
Will host with ...
- A three-goal win and any Cruz Azul-Tigres UANL draw
- A three-goal win and a Tigres win by one or two goals
- A three-goal win and a Cruz Azul win by one goal
- Other wins where Miami is also able to overtake Cruz Azul or Tigres on goal-difference, or pull even on goal-difference and ahead on goals-scored
Vancouver Whitecaps
Will host with ...
- A win by at least two goals and any Cruz Azul-Tigres draw
- A one-goal win and a 1-1 Cruz Azul-Tigres draw, with Tigres advancing on penalties
Again, this is not an all-inclusive list of scenarios. Even so, it gives some guide for the stakes to every goal scored next Wednesday and Thursday.