Columbus Crew rises to the top in Concacaf Club Rankings

MIAMI – The latest edition of the Concacaf Club Rankings (CCR) features a new number one team as U.S. club Columbus Crew debuts in the top spot.

Fellow Champions Cup finalists Pachuca rose to second overall while Club America and Monterrey, who previously commanded the top two spots, round out the top four.

The Confederation launched a revamped rankings system earlier this year. Clubs gain points for results in official domestic league matches, regional cup matches, and Concacaf Champions Cup play.

Further details explaining the rankings and how clubs earn points can be found here: Concacaf launches new ranking system for region’s clubs and leagues.

Columbus jumps to the top after reaching Champions Cup Final

Columbus Crew (1,254) rose to the top spot in the rankings after overtaking CF Monterrey, 5-2 on aggregate, in their semifinal series of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Monterrey occupied the top spot in the CCR since March and were defeated in the first and second leg by the Crew. Columbus defeated then-fourth ranked Tigres UANL in the quarterfinals as part of its current six-match unbeaten streak in the Champions Cup.

The Crew jumped into the top ten last December after crowning themselves champions of MLS. From ninth place, the club has risen to eighth, sixth, fifth and now first place in the rankings.

The Crew had the biggest upset after defeating #1 Monterrey

Columbus Crew’s victory over former number one Monterrey completes the latest upset in a direct face-off between ranked clubs.

The MLS champions took a 2-1 win over the five-time CCC winners in the first leg in Columbus. In the second leg, the Crew continued their momentum with a 3-1 win at Rayados.

The Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals saw another top-five matchup between former second place Club America and third place CF Pachuca. Pachuca (1,248) won the series 3-2 on aggregate to defeat its Liga MX counterpart and earn the second overall spot in the rankings.

Club America (1,239) and Monterrey (1,235) had a stranglehold over the top two spots this year, but both have dropped to third and fourth place respectively following the latest results.

Saprissa takes the top spot in Central American Clubs ranking

The highest-ranked Central American club is now #43 Deportivo Saprissa (1,152) of Costa Rica. #45 CD Olimpia (1,148) of Honduras fell to second place.

Costa Rican clubs #49 Herediano (1,139) and #51 LD Alajuelense (1,134) are next in the rankings with #52 CSD Municipal (1,119) of Guatemala rounding out the top five.

Minnesota United FC leads biggest movers

MLS side Minnesota United FC (1,179) had the biggest jump with 13 points, rising to #20 overall, following three consecutive victories in league play.

The next highest improvements came from Guatemalan side Deportivo Mixco (1,071), up nine points to #72, Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1,174), up eight points to #24, Costa Rica side Sporting FC (1,075), up seven points to #69, and U.S. club Real Salt Lake (1,190), up six points to #15.

MLS shorten gap with Liga MX by 86 points

Liga MX (9,867) continues to hold first place in league rankings but MLS (9,708) has cut the gap down from 245 points last month to 159, in part to the success of Columbus Crew over Monterrey in the Champions Cup semifinals.

Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras (9,292), Primera División de Costa Rica (9,274), and Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala (9,126) round out the top five.

Columbus Crew Official Release via Concacaf