SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 04: The trophy is seen before 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Final Leg 2 between the Seattle Sounders and Pumas at Lumen Field on May 04, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Concacaf Champions League Tournament Begins With Round of 16 Play on FS1, FS2 and FOX Soccer Plus
16 Clubs Compete for Concacaf’s Top Prize in Region’s Premiere Knock-Out Tournament
Five Major League Soccer Teams Look to Keep Crown Following Last Year’s History-Making Final
LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, America’s home for the world’s top international soccer tournaments, today presents plans for the 15th edition of the Concacaf Champions League (CCL) with Round of 16 matches airing on FS1, FS2 and FOX Soccer Plus. The 2023 CCL features 16 participating top-flight clubs, including five teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and four teams from Liga MX, competing to win the region’s most prestigious club competition.
The CCL Round of 16 opens play on Tuesday, March 7, with back-to-back matches featuring MLS participants on FS1. Austin FC takes on Violette AC starting at 6:00 PM ET, followed by Alianza FC vs. Philadelphia Union at 8:00 PM ET. The final match of the evening begins at 10:00 PM ET on FS2 with Tigres UANL vs. Orlando City SC.
On Wednesday, March 8, Vancouver Whitecaps FC take on Real CD España starting at 9:56 PM ET on FOX Soccer Plus, while reigning MLS Cup Champions LAFC make their 2023 CCL debut vs. LD Alajuelense on Thursday, March 9, at 9:56 PM ET on FS2.
The winner of the tournament qualifies for the annual FIFA Club World Cup™, where they’ll face the top teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and South America. Last year, the Seattle Sounders made history when they became the first ever MLS club to win the CCL in front of a record-breaking home crowd.
FOX SOCCER BROADCASTERS
Distinguished play-by-play announcer John Strong and match analyst Stu Holden return as FOX Sports’ lead announce team for CCL matches on FS1. The Strong-Holden pairing will call the Union’s opening match vs. Alianza FC, while renowned play-by-play announcer Keith Costigan joins FOX Sports’ lead studio analyst Alexi Lalas on the call for Austin FC’s opening match vs. Violette AC.
On Thursday, March 16, back-to-back matches on FS1 feature veteran play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera pairing with former U.S. National Team star Cobi Jones on the call for Club Leon vs. Tauro FC at 8:00 PM ET, while former England National Team defender Warren Barton joins Costigan in calling CF Pachuca vs. FC Motagua at 10:00 PM ET.
Click here to view the 2023 CCL Round of 16 broadcast schedule.
