TORONTO – With the first-ever Campeones Cup in the books, both Toronto FC and Tigres UANL see potential for the future of the competition.
The Mexican side lifted the trophy after a 3-1 win over the MLS representative at BMO Field on Wednesday night, staking a claim as inaugural champions.
“It has huge potential,” said TFC captain Michael Bradley post-match. “When you look around the world, these super cup-type games are great things. Add in the rivalry that exists in our region, between American or Canadian teams and Mexican teams, national teams, and this is a game that is going to continue to grow in a big way.”
Despite both having massive league fixtures on the weekend – Toronto are fighting for the playoff lives away to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday (5 pm ET | TSN2 - Full TV & Streaming Info) and Tigres have El Clasico Regio on Sunday – neither side took the match lightly.
“Both teams put out a strong team. That shows they're taking it seriously and they wanted to win,” remarked Toronto's Jonathan Osorio. “If both leagues go in with that mindset every year, it will only get way more important.”
Added Osorio: “It should become a tradition.”
Not everything was perfect. Pre-match, Tigres coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti disliked that it was a one-off and held in Toronto, forcing his side to travel. But post-match, through a translator, he noted that, “It was really good for the first one.”
“I don't know if the next one will be hosted in Canada, the U.S.A., or Mexico,” mused Ferretti. “But I'm sure it will be much better because Liga MX and MLS have people who have the capacity to organize something better for the next one.”
Timing will be key.
“Finding the right time of year to play,” highlighted TFC manager Greg Vanney. “But it's interesting to have the two champions playing each other. It's just a tough time of year for us right now.”
Edition One in the books and Tigres' Jurgen Damm is excited for it to evolve into something more: “I think what they are doing in bringing together Liga MX and MLS is very interesting.”
“Hopefully the project keeps growing because all of us would like to play against Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], [LA] Galaxy and all the stars there are in MLS. It’d be good to bring us together and make a tournament.”
Added TFC defender Nick Hagglund: “It's a great thing for both leagues: to put a little show on for the rest of the world to see. It's an event that over the years will have a lot of meaning.”
