History repeated itself once again in the Concachampions 2026, as Liga MX once again confirmed that it absolutely dominates Major League Soccer (MLS). The elimination of Los Angeles FC at the hands of Toluca ensured that the continental champion will once again be a Mexican club.
The result came as no surprise to many fans. For more than two decades, Liga MX teams have imposed conditions in the region’s most important club tournament. Although MLS has grown economically, signed international stars and improved its infrastructure, the sporting results still show a clear superiority of Mexican soccer. Toluca managed to eliminate LAFC in a series that made clear the competitive weight of Mexican clubs in decisive instances. With this, MLS once again failed to win the continental trophy, something that has happened constantly since the beginning of the 21st century.
Liga MX maintains its historical hegemony
Since 2000, only four editions of the tournament have not ended with a Mexican champion.
The dominance has been so widespread that Liga MX clubs have won virtually every major final in the modern era of the Concachampions.
For many years, the LA Galaxy were the only MLS team capable of lifting the continental title in this century, after winning it in 2000.
After that, it took more than two decades for another U.S. club to repeat the feat.
It was not until 2022 that Seattle Sounders defeated Pumas to become the second MLS champion in the modern era.
However, even with that historic win, the gap is still huge.
Mexican teams continue to make a difference
MLS clubs have reached several finals in recent years, but most have ended in defeat to Mexican teams.
Among the U.S. runners-up were:
Real Salt Lake (2011)
Montreal Impact (2015)
Toronto FC (2018)
Los Angeles FC (2020 and 2023)
Columbus Crew (2024)
Vancouver Whitecaps (2025)
All of them ended up losing against Liga MX representatives.
In addition, teams such as Pachuca and Monterrey have become true regional powers.
Pachuca has six Concachampionship titles this century, while Monterrey has five.
América and Cruz Azul continue to be the winningest clubs in the overall history of the tournament.
The result did not surprise many fans
QuéOnnda.com
MLS continues to grow, but has yet to catch up with Mexico
For many Hispanic fans in the United States, especially those who follow both Liga MX and MLS, the debate over which league is superior still seems to have a clear answer.
Although MLS has increased its competitive level and attracts more and more international talent, Mexican clubs continue to show more experience.
As well as stronger squads and a stronger soccer culture in international competitions.
Even Costa Rica maintains an important history in the tournament.
In total, Costa Rican clubs have won more Concacaf championships than MLS.
Saprissa, for example, defeated Pumas in the 2005 final, one of the few recent occasions in which a Mexican club lost the title (Filed under: Liga MX dominates Concachampions).
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