Concacaf Champions Cup 2025: How each MLS team qualified

Ten (10) MLS clubs will compete in Concacaf Champions Cup 2025, the 27-team continental tournament that awards a spot in the next FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

• Qualifying method: 2024 Leagues Cup third place

Colorado were 2024 Leagues Cup darlings, knocking off four LIGA MX sides en route to a third-place finish. The most notable victory came against Mexican giants Club América in the quarterfinals, winning a 9-8 shootout.

Although Colorado fell to LAFC in the semifinals, they responded in the Leagues Cup Third Place Match. Following a 2-2 draw, Zack Steffen, the goalkeeper of the tournament, made two saves in the penalty shootout to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3-1 and clinch Colorado's place in the CCC.

• Qualifying method: 2024 Leagues Cup champion

The Columbus Crew have had a momentous period under head coach Wilfried Nancy, winning two trophies while also reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup final and playing Campeones Cup.

One of the trophies hoisted by the Crew? Leagues Cup 2024, qualifying them for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. They defeated LAFC, 3-1, in the final, thanks to late goals from Cucho Hernández and Jacen Russell-Rowe.

As Leagues Cup winners, Columbus automatically earned a bye to the CCC Round of 16.

• Qualifying method: Supporters' Shield standings

FC Cincinnati reached the Concacaf Champions Cup after finishing fifth in the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings with 59 points.

Because the top four teams (Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, LAFC and LA Galaxy) had already qualified via alternative methods, the next three teams with the highest point totals received a spot in the CCC.

Cincy had a strong regular season which saw them finish third in the Eastern Conference, highlighted by the performances of stars Lucho Acosta (14g/19a) and Luca Orellano (10g/7a).

• Qualifying method: 2024 Supporters' Shield

No one in MLS earned more points than Inter Miami this season. Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez & Co. won the Supporters' Shield with an MLS single-season record of 74 points.

The Herons will retain the core of their roster heading into 2025, with the goal of bringing more trophies to South Florida. Suárez will return after extending his contract through the 2025 season, while FC Barcelona great Javier Mascherano takes over as head coach.

• Qualifying method: 2024 Leagues Cup runner-up

LAFC were a buzzsaw in the Leagues Cup 2024 knockout stages, setting up an MLS Cup 2023 rematch with the Columbus Crew in the final. While Denis Bouanga & Co. fell 3-1 at Columbus, the second-place finish ensured LAFC will compete in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.

The Black & Gold also won the 2024 US Open Cup, defeating Sporting Kansas City, 3-1, in the final. Since LAFC already qualified via the Leagues Cup pathway, Sporting KC secured the US Open Cup qualification spot.

• Qualifying method: MLS Cup presented by Audi champions

LA Galaxy reclaimed their place at the pinnacle of the MLS mountaintop by winning their league-record sixth MLS Cup presented by Audi on December 7, defeating the New York Red Bulls, 2-1, in front of a raucous home crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park.

• Qualifying method: Supporters' Shield standings

Real Salt Lake reached the Concacaf Champions Cup after finishing sixth in the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings with 59 points.

Because the top four teams (Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, LAFC and LA Galaxy) had already qualified via alternative methods, the next three teams with the highest point totals received a spot in the CCC.

RSL defied expectations in 2024, finishing the regular season third in the Western Conference. Cristian Arango paced the squad with 17g/12a, while MLS Young Player of the Year Diego Luna tallied 8g/12a in a breakout season.

• Qualifying method: Supporters' Shield standings

Seattle Sounders FC reached the Concacaf Champions Cup after finishing seventh in the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings with 57 points.

Because the top four teams (Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, LAFC and LA Galaxy) had already qualified via alternative methods, the next three teams with the highest point totals received a spot in the CCC.

The Sounders made an impressive run to the Western Conference Final, before falling to eventual MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy, 1-0. This season, Seattle were led by star striker Jordan Morris (13g/5a) and midfielder Albert Rusnák (10g/16a).

• Qualifying method: US Open Cup finalist

Sporting KC's run to the US Open Cup final earned them a place in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. SKC defeated lower-division sides Union Omaha (USL League One) and FC Tulsa (USL Championship) in the early stages, before downing FC Dallas to reach the semifinals. In the semis, Kansas City ended USL Championship side Indy Eleven's run with a 2-0 victory, before ultimately falling 3-1 to LAFC in the final.

By virtue of LAFC already qualifying for the Concacaf Champions Cup as the Leagues Cup runner-up, SKC took the automatic qualifying spot provided by the US Open Cup.

• Qualifying method: 2024 Canadian Championship champion

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have owned the Canadian Championship as of late and claimed their third consecutive title on Sept. 25, defeating rivals Toronto FC, 4-2 on penalties, in the final. Goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer played the hero, stopping a Federico Bernadeschi penalty kick in regular time, before making a critical save on Kosi Thompson in the shootout to propel the 'Caps to the cup and a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup.