Pachuca vs. Columbus Crew: Concacaf Champions Cup Final Preview

Last Updated on May 28, 2024 7:17 pm by Erwin Noguera

The two most effective teams reached the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup, looking to define the new champion in a single match. At home, Pachuca will face the current king of MLS, Columbus Crew.

To reach this stage, the Tuzos defeated Club América, the big favorite, with a 3-1 aggregate score. 

The Crew demonstrated its hierarchy by defeating Monterrey in both matches, 2-1 in the United States and 3-1 on Mexican soil. 

Thanks to the Mexican team’s better performance in the tournament, they will meet at the Estadio Hidalgo next Saturday.

When and Where?

Saturday, June 1, 9:15 pm ET at the Estadio Hidalgo

Moneyline odds: 

Pachuca 1.68 

Columbus Crew 4.66

Draw Offs: 

4.15 

Where can I watch it? 

FOX Sports and TUDN 

Why Bet on Pachuca?

Pachuca is one of the most powerful clubs in the history of the Concacaf Champions Cup, and this year, they have been able to revalidate that status by qualifying for the final of the most important tournament of this confederation. 

To reach this stage, the club had to eliminate Club América, which was probably a great candidate for most experts. In the Azteca stadium, they tied 1-1, and in the second leg, the Tuzos won 2-1 with goals by Miguel Rodríguez and the Colombian Nelson Deossa. 

Philadelphia Union, Herediano, and the Águilas were the victims of Pachuca, who had won all their home games. What’s more, they have scored 11 goals at home. 

It is clear that the campaign now allows them to define the 2024 edition of the tournament in front of their fans, and this is a plus that they should take advantage of, especially, due to the level of striker Salomón Rondón. 

The Venezuelan has 17 goals and three assists in 27 games, being the player with the best numbers within the club that has lifted the Concacaf Champions Cup five times, the last of them in 2017. In addition, they have never lost a final, although this will be the first time they faced a U.S. opponent as previously played against Mexicans (4) and Costa Ricans (1). 

For now, Pachuca has all its players available for this match. 

Why Bet on Columbus Crew?

The pressure of representing the United States as champion was not a problem for Columbus Crew, and they are in their first Concacaf Champions Cup final, with the possibility of returning the ultimate glory to MLS. In the previous round, they had to fight hard against Monterrey but pulled through the series with a 5-2 aggregate score. They won 2-1 at home and 3-1 on Mexican soil. 

And it is precisely the Liga MX clubs that are working well for the American king since, one round earlier, they have taken out Tigres, another historic team in this tournament. Furthermore, in their two matches on Mexican soil, they didn’t lose, drawing once and then beating the Rayados. 

When talking about their star players, we must highlight the role of Colombian striker Juan Camilo “El Cucho” Hernández, who brings his European experience to this club and has already won the MLS championship. He has two goals in this tournament, although he has missed the last few games due to a back problem. Evan Bush has also been out with an arm injury. 

Columbus Crew dreams of joining DC United, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Seattle Sounders as U.S. CONCACAF champions, but it will be a tough task as the Mexicans have won 17 of the last 18 editions. It is precisely the Sounders who spoiled the party in 2022. 

Final Betting Analysis: Pachuca vs. Columbus Crew

This will be the sixth final between Mexicans and Americans, and the Spanish-speakers have won four. In addition, if we add the Canadians Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, who are part of the MLS, there are eight finals between these two leagues, with six titles for Liga MX.

The numbers at Gambyl Exchange have Pachuca as the favorite. Their Moneyline shows 1.68, Columbus Crew has 4.66, and the draw is at 4.15.

For Pachuca and Columbus Crew, this will be an unprecedented match, as they have never faced each other, not even in a friendly.

Undoubtedly, this will be a very tough final, especially, because Columbus Crew already knows what it is like to go to Mexico and win. However, this time, Pachuca will be guided by its goal scorer, Salomón Rondón, to shout champion in the most important tournament at club level in North and Central America. We’ll go for a 3-2.

Go for a win for Pachuca. If you bet $100 at 1.68, you will gain $68 for a total payout of $168. 

Pachuca vs. Columbus Crew Betting Pick: Pachuca