Columbus Crew's stunning rise to CONCACAF No.1 — what does it mean for MLS's future?

It was a historic milestone as the Columbus Crew earned the first-ever lock-down of the number one spot in the CONCACAF Club Rankings. It came just after their win in the Leagues Cup-a victory that made the MLS team undisputedly the strongest in the region. But what does this really mean for the team, the league, and soccer in North America? Let's break it down.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

What is the CONCACAF Club Rankings?

First, let me explain how the CONCACAF Club Rankings work. A ranking is not just about the performance of a team in one season. It's a ranking that takes into consideration club results from official competitions, including national league games and regional tournaments, including, of course, the CONCACAF Champions Cup. That means it's a ranking based on the consistency of clubs over these past years.

For Columbus Crew, the rise is an accident not so much. Apart from being a runner-up in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the team won the Leagues Cup to gain precious points and seal its leading position. For now, the Crew has 1,260 points, placing this side well ahead of Mexican powerhouses like Tigres UANL, Club América, and CF Pachuca.

The Significance of the Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup is an exciting tournament that features teams from MLS and Liga MX. For Columbus Crew, this is just the perfect stage to unleash their power. Their victory against LAFC in the finals was critical to gaining the top spot in the CONCACAF rankings.

That victory not only catapulted the Crew to No. 1 in the CCR but also put others on notice that MLS clubs are coming of age. With LAFC now at No. 6, and Inter Miami moving up to seventh, the assertion is safe that U.S. soccer is becoming a regional force to be taken seriously, right alongside the traditional Mexican clubs.

Rise of MLS into International Prominence

For years, MLS was considered a developing league, far behind in technical and tactical quality compared to the best European leagues, not to mention Liga MX. Results like those of Columbus Crew and Inter Miami show that MLS teams are getting competitive every day. The Leagues Cup title is a symbol of this uprising, and the first-place ranking of the Crew in CONCACAF only reiterates the positive momentum of soccer in the United States.

More importantly, Inter Miami moved up to seventh place partly due to Messi's arrival, showing that MLS is not just garnering big-name players but that it can also make the interest pay off on the field. It is no longer the only destination for older stars seeking a quiet sunset but maturing into a decent competition with clubs that have the capability of standing their ground against the best in Central and North America.

Mexican Challenge

Despite Columbus Crew dominance, Mexican soccer is still well-represented in the ranking, as Tigres UANL came in second place, while Club América took third; CF Pachuca ranked fourth, with CF Monterrey closing the top five. Mexico has been one of the powers of CONCACAF for quite some time now, and that battle between Mexican and MLS clubs is far from being over.

These teams, with their history of winning international titles, remain the biggest challenge to any MLS club in not only trying to reach the top of the rankings but to stay there for the long haul. But Columbus Crew's feat indicates that no longer does Mexico have the absolute monopoly on North American soccer supremacy.

What Does First Place Really Mean?

Leading CONCACAF rankings was supposed to be a symbolic milestone for Columbus Crew. It is not just a title to be proud of, but more of an obligation-a team is in the limelight and simultaneously under pressure to live up to expectations during future tournaments, like the CONCACAF Champions Cup or MLS Cup.

This ranking puts a target on the Crew's back, and it surely will be challenging to keep this position. For sure, other MLS clubs will be gunning for them, while the Liga MX will be looking forward to reclaiming the top spot through teams such as Tigres UANL and CF Pachuca. Meanwhile, emerging MLS clubs such as Inter Miami want to raise their relevance in jockeying positions for No.1. Now, the onus is on Columbus Crew to show consistency and, if possible, prove that dominance is sustainable long-term.

Growth of Colorado Rapids

Another high point is the rise of Colorado Rapids, who went up 17 places to lie at position 23. A third-place finish in the Leagues Cup was just the kind of thing needed to achieve that improvement. While they still have a way to go if they want to catch up to the leaders such as Columbus and Tigres, the Rapids have shown themselves capable of competing at a high level and taking a seat on the top table.

The rise of teams like the Rapids shows that MLS soccer is strengthening across the board. With more clubs competing in international tournaments, and rising through the rankings, MLS finally drew closer to an even balance of power with Liga MX.

Looking Ahead

In the future, Columbus Crew's staying power atop the CONCACAF rankings might just foretell changes across the North and Central American soccer landscape. MLS as a whole is getting stronger. Crew and Inter Miami lead the front lines of that charge. The balance of power is decidedly shifting within the confederation.

The next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup is going to be a proper litmus test for these teams, particularly for Columbus Crew, who will now have the albatross of being No.1 around them. What becomes of the team in the near future remains to be seen, but one thing is quite certain: the competition just gets thicker.