Concacaf Champions Cup Teams Prepare for Punchy Round of 16 Matches

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA – The stage is set for the round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup as clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX gear up for high-stakes matchups this week. After several thrilling encounters, the tournament’s bracket is nearly complete, with only one ticket left to be claimed.

All Liga MX teams have advanced, showcasing dominant performances. Notably, Tigres made a dramatic comeback against Real Estelí to secure their place in the next round. MLS clubs Cincinnati, LAFC, Inter Miami, and Seattle Sounders also made an impression, each clinching a spot in the octavos. However, Real Salt Lake faced elimination at the hands of Herediano.

Tomorrow, Vancouver Whitecaps will battle Saprissa for the final slot in the next round, raising anticipation among fans. The match is set to take place on February 27 at 9:00 PM MT (10:00 PM ET) at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.

On the earlier front of the tournament, Inter Miami had a remarkable showing against Sporting Kansas City, winning decisively with Lionel Messi leading the charge. Messi scored early in the match, connecting perfectly with a cross from Luis Suárez for an unstoppable volley. The team’s performance was described as secure and powerful, earning them passage to the next round.

Despite facing a tough challenge, Inter Miami displayed impressive teamwork. During an intense match, Messi, at one point, had to adjust by dropping deeper to help initiate plays when they struggled to penetrate the opponent’s defense.

Additionally, in second-half stoppage time, Messi set up Jordi Alba, who assisted Tadeo Allende for a critical goal. Moments later, Suárez scored, further demonstrating Miami’s offensive prowess.

Kansas City attempted a late-game resurgence, but Inter Miami held strong, thanks in large part to their solid backline led by Oscar Ustari. Although Kansas managed to score through a deflected shot from Memo Rodríguez, it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.

Messi remains an instrumental figure for Inter Miami; he played until the 70th minute before requesting a substitution, having orchestrated much of the game. Looking ahead, Inter Miami will face the Houston Dynamo in MLS play and then tackle Cavalier of Jamaica in the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, the other matchup between Vancouver Whitecaps and Saprissa promises to be equally engaging. Saprissa, having started their domestic season strongly, will look to carry that momentum against a Whitecaps team eager to assert itself in the tournament.

Saprissa currently stands fourth in Costa Rica’s league table after ten matches, adding to their confidence as they prepare to face the Whitecaps, who recently triumphed 4-1 over Minnesota United in their season opener.

The contest will be broadcast in the U.S. on FS2 and ViX, while fans in Mexico can catch it on Tubi. In Central America, ESPN and Disney+ will cover the game.

The anticipated clash between these two teams not only serves as a crucial step in their Champions Cup journey but also as a showcase for emerging talent across Concacaf.