Mexican soccer will once again see a ‘Campeon de Campeones’ (Champion of Champions) crowned on Monday night. Although it has become a ‘money-grab’ preseason friendly match in the United States, this trophy was once very prestigious. And there is still plenty of prestige leftover to make this an interesting and enjoyable event.
Apertura 2014 champions Club America face off against the recently crowned Clausura 2015 champion Santos Laguna in Frisco, Texas on Monday night. Club America will be looking for its sixth Campeon de Campeones title while Santos Laguna are playing for its first.
The tournament dates back to 1942 when soccer became professional in Mexico. Back then the league champion would face the Mexico Cup champion to determine the Campeon de Campeones. If a single team won both league and cup then a ‘Campeonisimo’ trophy was awarded automatically.
Only five teams have been able to win ‘Campeonisimo’ honors: Club Leon (1949), Cruz Azul (1969), Chivas Guadalajara (1970), Puebla (1990) and Necaxa (1995).
The tournament has seen numerous hiatuses. But since the creation of short tournament seasons in 1996 the Campeon de Campeones has become a preseason friendly even in the United States. From 2002 through 2006 the Apertura and Clausura champions battled for the trophy, in 2012 the Liga MX champion faced the Ascenso MX champion, in 2013 the Liga MX champion faced the Copa MX champion and now in 2015 we return to Apertura champion vs Clausura champion.
Club America has won the tournament on five occasions leaving it tied as the second most successful club in this competition, tied with Club Leon (5) and behind Chivas Guadalajara (7).
Santos Lagun will be looking for its first Campeon de Campeones title in its second participation. It previously played in the 2012 edition as Liga MX champion losing out to Ascenso MX champion Club Leon.
SUPERCOPA MX, OPENING ACT
Fans at Frisco, Texas will not only enjoy the Campeon de Campeones match between Club America and Santos Laguna on Monday night. It will also have as an added bonus the SuperCopa MX match as the opening act of the double-header event.
The SuperCopa MX pits the Apertura Copa MX champion against Clausura Copa MX champion. The winner is awarded the ‘Mexico 3’ slot in the next Copa Libertadores. This will be the second edition of competition.
Last year Apertura 2013 Copa MX champions Monarcas Morelia defeated Clausura 2014 Copa MX champion Tigres UANL for the ‘Mexico 3’ ticket in the 2015 Copa Libertadores – Tigres still managed to qualify to the Copa Libertadores finishing in second place of the league table and now participating in the semifinal round.
This season the Apertura 2014 Copa MX champion Santos was suppose to take on Clausura 2015 champions Puebla FC. But since Santos will be participating in the Campeon de Campeones and is now ineligible for the Libertadores ticket because it is now qualified to the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL); it can not participate in the SuperCopa MX.
Previous SuperCopa MX champion Monarcas Morelia has been asked to step in instead. Puebla FC automatically is awarded the ‘Mexico 3’ slot in the 2016 Copa Libertadores. The other two participants will be determined by the league table in the upcoming Apertura 2015 season; excluding Club America, Tigres UANL, Santos Laguna and Club Queretaro who are participating in CCL.
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