MLS & Liga MX Teams Dominate 2023 CONCACAF End-of-Year Rankings

ALABAMA- As the year comes to an end, CONCACAF announced its annual end-of-year rankings for clubs among the region. Come as no surprise, Liga MX and MLS teams finished as the best teams across all North America, Central America, and the Caribbean as Club América took 1^st place after winning their 14^th Liga MX title earlier this month.

Out of the 10 best ranked teams, seven of them are Liga MX sides. Club América, Monterrey, Tigres and Club León make up the top four spots. Out of these teams, Monterrey was the only one not to win a trophy this year as Tigres and América lifted the Clausura and Apertura titles, respectively, and León won the club's first CONCACAF Champions League. Three MLS teams round up the top 10, with Philadelphia Union being the highest-ranked MLS team on the list coming in at 5^th.

Columbus Crew and LAFC, winners of the last two MLS Cups, ranked 9^th and 10^th, respectively. Although Inter Miami had a successful 2023 with the announcement of Lionel Messi and their triumph in this year's Leagues Cup, it wasn't enough for the South Florida team to crack into the top 20 (ranked 21st).

Honduran giant Club Olimpia (28th) is the highest ranked CONCACAF team outside of Liga MX and MLS.

1. Club América (1,257 Pts)

Club América capped off an incredible 2023 with the Apertura 2023 title. Across the entire year, no Liga MX team collected more points than the 'Azulcremas' in the regular season, finishing with a total of 74 points, including a 40-point regular season in their Apertura 2023 title-winning campaign.

2. CF Monterrey (1,243)

'Rayados' was perhaps the second-best team in Liga MX in 2023 after Club América. Monterrey topped the table during the Clausura 2023 collecting 40 points, a club record in a single tournament. 'Rayados' was also Liga MX's best representative in this year's Leagues Cup, as they were the only Mexican team to reach the Semifinals.

3. Tigres UANL (1,232 Pts)

Tigres reached both Liga MX finals played this year, winning their 8^thleague title against Chivas de Guadalajara during the Clausura 2023 and losing the Apertura 2023 title to Club América. Tigres also had a good continental performance this year by reaching the Semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, losing to eventual winners León.

4. Club León (1,219)

Thanks to their continental crown, León was able to participate in this year's FIFA Club World Cup, a competition in which they failed to leave a mark as they were eliminated in their opening match by AFC champions Urawa Red Diamonds.

5. Philadelphia Union (1,214)

For a 6^th consecutive season, Philadelphia Union qualified to the MLS Cup Playoffs and followed their successful league campaign with a couple of deep runs in cup competitions. The Union earned 3^rd place at the Leagues Cup this year, beating Monterrey in the 3^rd-place match. They also reached the Semifinals in the CONCACAF Champions League, being eliminated by LAFC.

6. Deportivo Toluca (1,212)

After a strong start to the year, Toluca turned into another inconsistent team in Liga MX. After finishing in the top 4 during the Clausura 2023, the 'Diablos' failed to qualify to the playoffs as they finished in 12^thplace during the Apertura 2023. The team's bad results prompted club hierarchy to part ways with head coach Ignacio Ambríz, who took Toluca to the Apertura 2022 final.

7. CF Pachuca (1,207)

Just like Toluca, Pachuca was a team of ups and downs this year. Ever since winning the Apertura 2022 title, Pachuca has been inconsistent, failing to qualify to the playoffs in the last tournament. Their Leagues Cup performance was also a little disappointing for the 'Tuzos', as they got eliminated in the Round of 32 by the Houston Dynamo on penalties.

8. CD Guadalajara (1,205)

A berth in the Clausura 2023 final was Chivas' highlight of the year. Unfortunately for Chivas' fans, their club fell to Tigres and extended their drought without a league title. Things did not get better for Chivas during the second half of the year, as a managerial change was inevitable at the end of the Apertura 2023 after a tough Quarterfinal elimination by the hands of Pumas UNAM.

9. Columbus Crew (1,203)

The Crew won its 3^rdMLS Cup title after a convincing win against then reigning champions LAFC. With the help of Colombian star 'Cucho' Hernández, Columbus was able to deliver another MLS Cup trophy to the state of Ohio while also earning a spot in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.

10. Los Angeles FC (1,203)

Even though they failed to win back-to-back MLS Cup titles, LAFC retained its place as one of the best MLS teams with another trip to the MLS Cup Final. It was a successful year for LAFC although they were unable to capitalize on their success with some silverware, losing a total of three finals in 2023. On top of their MLS Cup loss, LAFC also reached the CONCACAF Champions League final but lost the title to León. In the Campeones Cup, Tigres edged LAFC club on penalties.