Team aims for second Campeones Cup and prepares for Club America in Liga MX

Cucho Hernandez could hardly take his eyes off the Campeones Cup trophy when he saw it in person on Tuesday, a day before the Crew's game against Liga MX's Club America.

The Campeones Cup is a one-match competition between the previous season's MLS Cup winner and the Campeón de Campeones of Liga MX, which means “Champion of Champions” in Spanish. The champion versus champion format is similar to the Community Shield in England, which pits the champion of the English Premier League against the winner of the FA Cup tournament.

First played in 2018, the Campeones Cup doesn't have the history or weeks of preparation like the other trophies the Crew have competed for this season, but there is still excitement around the club about the match.

“Internally, we realize this is a big deal,” said Crew general manager Issa Tall. “Campeones seems to be new to this league, but most of us who follow world football know about the Community Shield. And in France, there is the Champions Trophy, as they call it, which is similar to what we have in the Campeones Cup.”

After winning the 2020 MLS Cup, the Crew competed for the 2021 Campeones Cup, defeating CF Cruz Azul 2-0 for the title at Lower.com Field. Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe is one of three players still with the Crew who were on the roster for the inaugural Campeones Cup.

“It was obviously a great game,” Nagbe said. “We were allowed to host this game here as well, so I expect our fans to come out like they did, but I also expect their (Club America) fans to be here to support their team. So definitely a bigger game and a good atmosphere.”

The Crew will face a different opponent in this year's Campeones Cup, Club America, a team Columbus has played before at Lower.com Field.

In the 2023 Leagues Cup, Crew and Club America met in the final group match between both clubs. Hours before the match, Columbus announced the transfer of Designated Player Lucas Zelarayan to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.

Zelarayan's departure, followed two days later by the signing of striker Diego Rossi, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Crew under coach Wilfried Nancy.

Starting with a 4-1 win over Club America in the Leagues Cup tournament, the Crew played this game without key players who helped the club win the 2023 MLS Cup title and are still on the roster, such as Rossi and defender Rudy Camacho.

“We have a competitive team,” Nancy said. “I'm really happy with my team. Last year is last year. This year is a new year. So it will be a good game against a good team. I like playing against them because it's a good tactical battle and there's a good intensity too.”

With their recent Leagues Cup title, the Crew have a chance to win a third trophy in less than a year. They also have a chance to become the first MLS club to win a second Campeones Cup and are already the first to play in the game multiple times.

Hernandez considers the Campeones Cup to be the “most beautiful trophy” the Crew has played for this season, and admitted that his entire focus is on the Campeones Cup and the Cup because he wants to continue making history with Columbus.

“Honestly, I didn't think we would win so many trophies,” Hernandez said. “We have a chance to win another trophy. It's crazy when you think about it. But everything is a process, a long process, and we deserve it. We deserve to be here.”

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