The Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, has never had a Canadian player, but that could change on Tuesday night when LAFC meet Tigres in the 2020 SCCL Final.
With a win by the MLS side, MF Mark-Anthony Kaye and DF Dejan Jakovic would become the first Canadian players to lift the trophy.
As Canadian football continues to grow across the Concacaf terrain and beyond, Kaye is motivated to join 2019/20 UEFA Champions League winner Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich in helping put his country’s football on the map with a continental title.
“Obviously it would mean a lot to be the first Canadians to win this tournament. I spoke to Dejan a couple days ago and said that to him, not knowing if that stat was true or not, but we felt like we had an opportunity there to create some history,” said Kaye in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com
“I think it’s an important time for the club, but also for Canadian soccer. You look at what Alphonso Davies is doing on the world stage, so if I can carry my weight a little bit and help push this country forward, that would be great. I’m going to carry that into the game knowing that we can make some history there, but at the end of the day I just want to win for the club,” added Kaye.
A victory for LAFC would also send the Californian side to next February’s FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, making LAFC the first MLS team to compete in the tournament.
Tigres isn’t seen as the underdog even though LAFC beat three big teams, and that doesn’t matter to either team, they are focused, have they’re mind set for the victory and with many players excited to play the final this Tuesday.
“ We are focused, whether we are the favorite or not and I have visualized myself in this final and many of us in the team, Velita is not something we worry about, were worried about us first. “ said Carlos Salcedo also in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com
On the field side of it, both teams concluded that they are centered and determined to make their own city proud and despite the fact that fans can not attend or celebrate this victory with them, this final is that much more significant to both teams.
“It would be something positive for both leagues uniting, rumor or not it would be great for all soccer players competitively.” Conclude Guido Pizarro in today Media day with CONCACAF.
And with the respect both teams shared today, we are looking to see an immersed game from them this Tuesday at 7:00PM in Orlando, Florida.
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