The Columbus Crew lifted the 2023 MLS Cup presented by Audi this past weekend, defeating Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) by a 2-1 scoreline. With that win, the Crew were automatically pushed through to the Round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. But before we get into who the Crew could be facing, let’s take a deeper look at the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The CONCACAF Champions Cup is similar to the UEFA Champions League, but without the Group Stage matches. It is a tournament featuring teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The winners of the MLS Cup, Liga MX, Leagues Cup, Central American Cup and Caribbean Cup will receive ‘Byes’ to the Round of 16. The remaining 22 teams will enter in Round One, and potted to determine their matchups.

A two-leg system, the matchups will feature a home-at-home series throughout until the Final. Columbus will enter in the Round of 16, with those matches being played March 5-7 for the first leg, and March 12-14 for the second leg. The Crew will face the winner of the Houston Dynamo vs St. Louis CITY SC matchup.

The last time Columbus were in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (formerly known as the CONCACAF Champions League) was in 2020. The Crew were then eliminated by Monterrey.

The MLS teams that will be represented in the CONCACAF Champions Cup are: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Houston Dynamo, St. Louis CITY SC, New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Inter Miami CF, Nashville SC, Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC.

Columbus will have a massively congested schedule for the 2024 season. Not only will they have  league play and CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Crew will also feature in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Club America, Liga MX powerhouse, have the most CONCACAF Champions Cup title with seven. Club Leon won their first this past season, defeating LAFC. The Seattle Sounders are the only MLS side to have won back in 2022.