The inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup knockout stage is set, with the four remaining teams vying for a place in Saturday`s final. The semifinal matches feature two Liga MX Femenil teams, Club America and Tigres Femenil, against NWSL contenders Portland Thorns and Gotham FC, respectively, as the first-ever edition of the competition reaches its climax.
All knockout rounds are being held at Estadio Universitario (UNAL) in Monterrey, Mexico. The teams advancing from the semifinals will compete for the trophy. Club America recently finished as runners-up in the Liga MX Femenil Gran Final, narrowly losing 2-3 on aggregate. They are set to face Gotham FC, who are currently on a two-game losing streak in the NWSL regular season.
Tigres Femenil has had a break from competitive matches since their quarterfinal elimination on April 28. Their fifth-place finish in the Clausura season represents their worst-ever historical result, and injury concerns could limit playing time for key player Jacqueline Ovalle. They are up against a high-flying Portland Thorns squad, who are without Sophia Wilson (on maternity leave) but are considered the most in-form team returning to the tournament following the group stage matches held last October.
Concacaf W Champions Cup Schedule
Wednesday, May 21
All times Eastern
- Club America vs. Gotham FC, 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Tigres Femenil vs. Portland Thorns, 10:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
Saturday, May 24
- Third place match: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Champions Cup final: TBD vs. TBD, 10 p.m. (Paramount+)
Path to the Semifinals
The final four teams emerged as top finishers from their respective five-team round-robin group stages. In Group A, Tigres dominated, going undefeated with three wins and one draw to secure ten points in last year`s preliminary play. Gotham FC finished second in the group with eight points from two wins and two draws in their four matches.
In Group B, Club America and Portland Thorns both ended with nine points after four games. However, Club America secured the top spot in the group stage based on a superior goal differential (+11 compared to Portland`s +8).
Players to Watch
- Montserrat Saldívar, Club America:
- A versatile left wingback for Club America and Mexico`s U20 team, known for her extensive coverage on the field. Her role will be significant in the game. She played a vital part in the club`s run to the Gran Final, scoring eight goals during the season.
- Midge Purce, Gotham FC:
- Was largely unavailable during Gotham`s group stage matches last year but is back this season and hitting her stride. She has regained form over the last four weeks, making this a potential moment for a breakout performance from the attacker.
- Ana Dias, Tigres Femenil:
- The Portuguese forward was Tigres` top scorer in the group stage (four goals, two assists). With other Tigres attackers carrying injuries, manager Pedro Martinez starting her to capitalize on previous success could be a wise decision.
- Caiya Hanks, Portland Thorns FC:
- This rookie forward is experiencing a scoring breakthrough for the Thorns in the current NWSL season. She has contributed two goals and one assist during the team`s recent four-game undefeated streak.
Prediction: Club America vs. Gotham FC
Club America boasts considerable talent and is fresh off their Gran Final appearance. However, injuries impacted their Liga MX final run and could potentially affect their Concacaf title aspirations. On the other hand, Gotham FC is also struggling with recent form.
After a strong four-game run that included three wins and seven goals from forward Esther Gonzalez, both the team and the player have cooled off. Gotham enters the Concacaf semifinal winless in their last three matches, failing to score in any of them.
This match might begin cautiously before becoming more open. Squad depth could be the decisive factor, giving Gotham a slight edge. Prediction: Gotham 2, Club America 1
Prediction: Tigres Femenil vs. Portland Thorns
There are significant uncertainties surrounding Tigres Femenil and how they will perform against a strong Thorns side. While Tigres has a talented roster, manager Martinez will be relying on some players who haven`t seen competitive action in several weeks.
Conversely, Thorns manager Rob Gale has numerous options, including rookies who are excelling when given playing opportunities. Prediction: Portland Thorns 3, Tigres 1
