The MLS duo and Liga MX powerhouse hope this year's Concacaf Champions Cup serves as a stepping stone to the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July.
- The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup begins on February 4.
- Inter Miami CF, CF Monterrey, and Seattle Sounders FC—FIFA Club World Cup 2025 participants—are competing in the tournament.
- All three clubs have reinforced their squads with both tournaments in mind.
With over four months remaining before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Inter Miami CF, CF Monterrey, and Seattle Sounders FC now have the opportunity to experience international competition ahead of the grand event.
Among the five Concacaf representatives at the Club World Cup, these three teams will use the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup—starting February 4—to prepare for the global stage in the United States.
Monterrey will aim for their sixth continental title, their last coming in 2021, which secured their place in this year's Club World Cup. Seattle won their first Concacaf title in 2022, earning their ticket to the tournament. Meanwhile, Inter Miami is chasing their first-ever Concacaf crown.
Here’s how these three teams are shaping up for the tournament.
Inter Miami
The reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winners—awarded to the team with the best regular-season record—are making their second appearance in the Champions Cup. With the 2025 MLS season set to begin in late February, Inter Miami won’t enter the Concacaf competition until February 18, when they face fellow MLS side Sporting Kansas City in the opening round.
Last year, high expectations surrounded Lionel Messi and company, but their journey ended abruptly in the quarter-finals against Monterrey. Later in the year, their MLS Cup campaign also ended in disappointment, with a shocking first-round playoff exit to Atlanta United.
Over the winter, significant changes took place in Miami, most notably the appointment of Javier Mascherano as head coach. Messi and Luis Suárez remain key figures in the squad, joined by experienced MLS forward Fafa Picault. However, the team lost some strength in midfield, with box-to-box player Diego Gómez moving to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Inter Miami boasts the attacking firepower to compete with any team in Concacaf, but defensive vulnerabilities led to their downfall last season. Mascherano’s main challenge will be solidifying the backline as the club aims for deep runs in both international competitions.
Monterrey
Monterrey is always active during the winter transfer window, but their biggest offseason story was a departure—striker Brandon Vázquez returned to MLS, leaving a gap at the No. 9 position.
Head coach Martín Demichelis brought in Nelson Deossa, who played a crucial role in Pachuca’s 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup victory and their FIFA Intercontinental Cup final appearance. Full-backs Luis Reyes (from Atlas) and Ricardo Chávez (from Atlético San Luis) also joined, while forward Alfonso Alvarado returned from his loan at Club León, another Club World Cup participant.
Monterrey's Liga MX campaign has been rocky. They started with two consecutive 1-1 draws against Puebla and Toluca. This was followed by a 3-2 home loss to Pachuca and a 3-3 draw against Atlas. They finally secured a victory on matchday five, defeating Necaxa 1-0.
The Concacaf Champions Cup could be the perfect opportunity for Monterrey to regain momentum. Their journey begins on February 5 against Canadian Premier League side Forge FC. A major positive for Monterrey is the form of playmaker Sergio Canales. The Spanish No. 10 has already scored twice and has been unlucky not to add more assists. Canales thrives in high-stakes matches and will be eager to lead Monterrey in this year’s international tournaments.
Seattle Sounders
Seattle remains a consistent force in MLS, thanks to the stability on their coaching staff. Head coach Brian Schmetzer is entering his ninth full season in charge, leading the Sounders to Concacaf glory in 2022. This will be their first Champions Cup appearance since winning the title three years ago, and they will start their 2025 campaign on February 19 against Antigua (Guatemala) in the first round.
Unlike many MLS teams that pursued international signings, Seattle focused on acquiring proven domestic talent. Their major winter additions came from FC Dallas—bringing in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ forward Jesús Ferreira and dangerous winger Paul Arriola.
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