Definition
The 2022 Campeones Cup was a one‑off association football match contested between the champion of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the champion of Liga MX’s Campeón de Campeones, held as part of the annual Campeones Cup series.
Overview
The match took place on 14 September 2022 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, United States. Seattle Sounders FC, winners of the 2021 MLS Cup, faced Club León, winners of the 2021 Campeón de Campeones (the Mexican competition between the Liga MX Apertura and Clausura champions). Seattle Sounders FC defeated Club León 3–0, securing the first Campeones Cup victory for an MLS club on home soil. The attendance was reported at approximately 34,000 spectators, and the match was broadcast in North America by ESPN (United States) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish‑language feed), with additional coverage in Mexico via Televisa Deportes.
Etymology/Origin
The term “Campeones Cup” combines the Spanish word campeones (champions) with the English word cup, reflecting the competition’s cross‑border nature between the United States‑based MLS and Mexico‑based Liga MX. The competition was inaugurated in 2018 to foster rivalry and cooperation between the two North American leagues.
Characteristics
- Format: Single match; if tied after 90 minutes, the winner is decided by a penalty shoot‑out (no extra time is played).
- Eligibility: The MLS representative is the most recent MLS Cup champion; the Liga MX representative is the most recent Campeón de Campeones winner.
- Venue: Hosted alternately by the MLS and Liga MX clubs; the 2022 edition was the first Campeones Cup held in Seattle.
- Regulations: Standard FIFA Laws of the Game apply; each team is permitted five substitutions across the match, with a maximum of three substitution windows plus halftime.
- Awards: The winning team receives a trophy featuring the Campeones Cup insignia; individual match awards (e.g., Man of the Match) are typically presented by the host broadcaster.
Related Topics
- Campeones Cup (general competition)
- Major League Soccer (MLS)
- Liga MX
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Club León
- MLS Cup
- Campeón de Campeones (Liga MX)
- North American soccer rivalries
Note: All factual details are drawn from publicly available match reports and official league communications.