CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2002
Encyclopedia
The 2002 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 37th edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF
region (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. It featured a league format with 16 clubs. As part of the expansion, the quarterfinal stage for the current Champions Cup was moved to the first months of the 2002. Those clubs that had already qualified for the quarterfinal stage of the 2001 CONCACAF Champions' Cup were moved directly into the new league format.
To facilitate the shift to the new cycle of qualifying rounds in the latter half of one year and the league stage in the first half of the following, the decision was taken to use the current competition as the transition period and fold those clubs already qualified into the league format.
In addition, the winner and runner-up of the 2001 CONCACAF Giants Cup
(Club América and D.C. United) was also merged into the first edition to provide both of those clubs the opportunity to compete for a spot in the 2003 FIFA Club World Championship, as they would have done under the previous competition system. This was convenient, as one of the qualifying MLS teams, Miami Fusion F.C., was folded after the 2001 season despite winning the MLS Supporters' Shield
that year.
Club Comunicaciones,Tauro FC and Alajuelense, were elected as the top Central American non-qualifiers for the 2001 CONCACAF Champions Cup and finally the 2001 MLS Cup champions San Jose Earthquakes and the Mexican 2001 Invierno season champions Pachuca.
Originally, 4 groups of 4 teams each, to be drawn in December or January, were planned, but at the end of November, CONCACAF changed plans once again and decided to play the tournament in a two-legs knock-out format, without a group stage.
Because of this,the tournament's name was changed from CONCACAF Champions League back to CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The two finalists were supposed to qualify for the cancelled 2003 FIFA World Club Championship.
C.F. Pachuca won the tournament, their first in club history, against Monarcas Morelia in the final.
Morelia - 2000 Invierno champion
Pachuca - 2001 Invierno champion
Santos Laguna
- 2001 Verano champion
Club América
- 2001 Giants Cup
champion
Kansas City Wizards
- 2000 MLS Cup
champion and 2000 MLS Supporters' Shield winner
Chicago Fire - 2000 MLS Cup
runner-up
San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 MLS Cup
champion
D.C. United
- 2001 Giants Cup
runner-up
Municipal
- 2001 Torneo UNCAF champion
Saprissa - 2001 Torneo UNCAF runner-up
Olimpia - 2001 Torneo UNCAF third place
Comunicaciones - 2001 Torneo UNCAF fourth place
Tauro
- 2001 Torneo UNCAF semifinal qualifier
Alajuelense - 2001 Torneo UNCAF semifinal qualifier
Defence Force - 2001 CFU Club Championship
finalist
W Connection
- 2001 CFU Club Championship
finalist
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CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
region (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. It featured a league format with 16 clubs. As part of the expansion, the quarterfinal stage for the current Champions Cup was moved to the first months of the 2002. Those clubs that had already qualified for the quarterfinal stage of the 2001 CONCACAF Champions' Cup were moved directly into the new league format.
To facilitate the shift to the new cycle of qualifying rounds in the latter half of one year and the league stage in the first half of the following, the decision was taken to use the current competition as the transition period and fold those clubs already qualified into the league format.
In addition, the winner and runner-up of the 2001 CONCACAF Giants Cup
CONCACAF Giants Cup
The CONCACAF Giants Cup was an international football club competition held in 2001 to replace CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup. The cup was for CONCACAF teams with the highest attendance in their national league, and was won by Mexico's Club América...
(Club América and D.C. United) was also merged into the first edition to provide both of those clubs the opportunity to compete for a spot in the 2003 FIFA Club World Championship, as they would have done under the previous competition system. This was convenient, as one of the qualifying MLS teams, Miami Fusion F.C., was folded after the 2001 season despite winning the MLS Supporters' Shield
MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
that year.
Club Comunicaciones,Tauro FC and Alajuelense, were elected as the top Central American non-qualifiers for the 2001 CONCACAF Champions Cup and finally the 2001 MLS Cup champions San Jose Earthquakes and the Mexican 2001 Invierno season champions Pachuca.
Originally, 4 groups of 4 teams each, to be drawn in December or January, were planned, but at the end of November, CONCACAF changed plans once again and decided to play the tournament in a two-legs knock-out format, without a group stage.
Because of this,the tournament's name was changed from CONCACAF Champions League back to CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The two finalists were supposed to qualify for the cancelled 2003 FIFA World Club Championship.
C.F. Pachuca won the tournament, their first in club history, against Monarcas Morelia in the final.
North American zone
Morelia - 2000 Invierno champion Pachuca - 2001 Invierno champion Santos LagunaSantos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise...
- 2001 Verano champion
Club AméricaClub América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
- 2001 Giants Cup
CONCACAF Giants Cup
The CONCACAF Giants Cup was an international football club competition held in 2001 to replace CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup. The cup was for CONCACAF teams with the highest attendance in their national league, and was won by Mexico's Club América...
champion
Kansas City WizardsKansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
- 2000 MLS Cup
MLS Cup 2000
The 2000 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. The game was played on October 15, 2000, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. between the Kansas City Wizards and the Chicago Fire. Kansas City took advantage of an early breakdown by Chicago to net the game's only goal...
champion and 2000 MLS Supporters' Shield winner
Chicago Fire - 2000 MLS CupMLS Cup 2000
The 2000 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. The game was played on October 15, 2000, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. between the Kansas City Wizards and the Chicago Fire. Kansas City took advantage of an early breakdown by Chicago to net the game's only goal...
runner-up
San Jose EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
- 2001 MLS Cup
MLS Cup 2001
The 2001 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. The game was played on October 21, 2001, at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The San Jose Earthquakes won their first title, defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 in overtime...
champion
D.C. UnitedD.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
- 2001 Giants Cup
CONCACAF Giants Cup
The CONCACAF Giants Cup was an international football club competition held in 2001 to replace CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup. The cup was for CONCACAF teams with the highest attendance in their national league, and was won by Mexico's Club América...
runner-up
Central American zone
MunicipalCSD Municipal
Club Social y Deportivo Municipal, also known as Municipal or Los Rojos , are a Guatemalan professional football club based in Guatemala City...
- 2001 Torneo UNCAF champion
Saprissa - 2001 Torneo UNCAF runner-up Olimpia - 2001 Torneo UNCAF third place Comunicaciones - 2001 Torneo UNCAF fourth place TauroTauro F.C.
Tauro Fútbol Club is a professional football club located in Panama City, Panama that plays in Liga Panameña de Fútbol, the top Panamanian football league. Tauro has won seven Liga Profesional de Fútbol Championships since 1988, the highest total of any team. The club has also finished second seven...
- 2001 Torneo UNCAF semifinal qualifier
Alajuelense - 2001 Torneo UNCAF semifinal qualifierCaribbean zone
Defence Force - 2001 CFU Club ChampionshipCFU Club Championship 2001
The 2001 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship was an international club football competition held in the Caribbean to determine the region's qualifiers to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The 2001 edition included group play, because CONCACAF expanded the 2002 Champions' Cup to 16 teams...
finalist
W ConnectionW Connection
Vibe CT 105 Williams Connection is a football club from Trinidad and Tobago, which currently plays in the Pro League. The club plays its home games in Manny Ramjohn Stadium...
- 2001 CFU Club Championship
CFU Club Championship 2001
The 2001 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship was an international club football competition held in the Caribbean to determine the region's qualifiers to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The 2001 edition included group play, because CONCACAF expanded the 2002 Champions' Cup to 16 teams...
finalist
Bracket
First round
First leg and Second leg matches were played between February 3, 2002 and March 27, 2002.|}
- Advancing clubs: LD AlajuelenseLD AlajuelenseLiga Deportiva Alajuelense , is a Costa Rican football club, currently playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica. It was founded on June 18, 1919. The team is located in Alajuela's downtown and they play their local games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.Alajuelense was the first Costa... ComunicacionesComunicacionesClub Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones is a Guatemalan football club located in Guatemala City.The club is currently playing in the highest Guatemalan league, the Liga Nacional. Their home venue is the Estadio Cementos Progreso in the nation's capital. Nicknamed Cremas , they are the second-most... C.F. Pachuca San Jose EarthquakesSan Jose EarthquakesThe San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada.... Monarcas Morelia Chicago Fire Santos LagunaSantos LagunaClub Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise... Kansas City WizardsKansas City WizardsSporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
Quarterfinals
First leg and Second leg matches were played between April 14, 2002 and April 24, 2002.|}
- Advancing clubs: LD AlajuelenseLD AlajuelenseLiga Deportiva Alajuelense , is a Costa Rican football club, currently playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica. It was founded on June 18, 1919. The team is located in Alajuela's downtown and they play their local games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.Alajuelense was the first Costa... C.F. Pachuca Monarcas Morelia Kansas City WizardsKansas City WizardsSporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
Semifinals
First leg and Second leg matches were played between August 7, 2002 and August 28, 2002.|}
- Advancing clubs: PachucaPachucaPachuca, formally Pachuca de Soto is the capital of the Mexican state of Hidalgo. It is located in the south-central part of the state. Pachuca de Soto is also the name of the municipality of which the city serves as municipal seat... Monarcas Morelia
Final
- Played in one leg at request of the clubs.
Champions
| CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2002 Winners |
|---|
 |
| C.F. Pachuca First Title |
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Fernandes Alex Fernandes Alexsandro Fernandes Xavier , often known simply as Alex, is a Mexican football striker. He currently plays for CF Monterrey in the Primera División de México.-Career:... |
Monarcas Morelia |
4 |
 Juan ArangoJuan Arango Juan Fernando Arango Sáenz is a Venezuelan footballer who plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany, as an attacking midfielder.... |
C.F. Pachuca |
4 | |
| 3 |  Dema Kovalenko |
Chicago Fire |
3 |
| Milton Núñez Milton Núñez Milton Omar Núñez García is a Honduran soccer player who currently plays as a striker playing for CSD Comunicaciones in Guatemala's top division.-Club career:... |
Comunicaciones |
3 | |
| Eduardo Lillingston Eduardo Lillingston Eduardo Fabián Lillingston García is a Mexican footballer player who plays for Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México.-Club:... |
Santos Laguna |
3 | |
| 6 | Pedro Jiménez | Santos Laguna |
2 |
| Sandro Alfaro |
LD Alajuelense LD Alajuelense Liga Deportiva Alajuelense , is a Costa Rican football club, currently playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica. It was founded on June 18, 1919. The team is located in Alajuela's downtown and they play their local games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.Alajuelense was the first Costa... |
2 | |
| Erick Jimenez | LD Alajuelense LD Alajuelense Liga Deportiva Alajuelense , is a Costa Rican football club, currently playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica. It was founded on June 18, 1919. The team is located in Alajuela's downtown and they play their local games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.Alajuelense was the first Costa... |
2 | |
| Chris Brown |
Kansas City Wizards Kansas City Wizards Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada... |
2 | |
| Wilmer Lopez Wilmer López Wilmer López Arguedas is a retired Costa Rican footballer. He played for LD Alajuelense and is one of the club's biggest idols of all time.-Club career:... |
LD Alajuelense LD Alajuelense Liga Deportiva Alajuelense , is a Costa Rican football club, currently playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica. It was founded on June 18, 1919. The team is located in Alajuela's downtown and they play their local games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.Alajuelense was the first Costa... |
2 | |
| Franz Torres | Monarcas Morelia |
2 | |
| Antonio Gonzalez | Monarcas Morelia |
2 | |
 Andres ChitivaAndrés Chitiva Andrés Chitiva Espinoza is a Colombian football player who actually plays for CF Pachuca on the Primera División Mexicana. He is a pacy left winger who possesses great speed, dribbling skills and crossing ability.... |
C.F. Pachuca |
2 | |
| Sergio Santana Sergio Santana Sergio Alejandro Santana Piedra is a Mexican footballer. He currently plays for Rayados de Monterrey.-Career:... |
C.F. Pachuca |
2 | |
 Walter Silvani |
C.F. Pachuca |
2 | |
| 22 | Various | 1 |