Moises Munoz: “This is the strongest Champions Cup yet”

The Draw for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup is set for this Wednesday and in attendance will be a Concacaf legend, former Club America and Mexico GK Moises Munoz, who will serve as a Draw Assistant.

It is a role that Munoz has fulfilled before in previous years and the 43-year-old is once again very excited to take part in a Champions Cup Draw.

“I really enjoy it because I want to know what these head-to-head match-ups will be,” said Munoz in an interview with Concacaf.com.

“I want to know who goes against Club America, since that is my favorite team and that is one of the teams that I think will have a good tournament, so I’m excited to see what the match-ups will be in this Champions Cup,” added Munoz.

The 2024 Champions Cup features a new format and an expanded field of teams, as 27 clubs from around the Concacaf region will take aim at the crown. Munoz believes there will be little margin for error in all the matches.

“There are a lot more opportunities for different teams, which is good. It’s going to be very competitive because in head-to-head match-ups you cannot make a mistake, there are no second chances. Teams have to take it very seriously because if you have a bad game, you’re out of the cup. There’s no turning back. It will be a lot more competitive and a lot more seriousness in this tournament from the teams’ point of view,” said Munoz.

In addition to Club America, Munoz sees Tigres, Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami and newly crowned MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew among the teams to watch.

“I think overall you have to keep track of what Tigres is doing. I think Inter Miami will be another team to follow, also Columbus Crew, who just won MLS Cup, so it will be great to have them in this Cup. America and those teams are my four favorites for this next tournament and I hope one of those four makes it to the final and becomes a champion. But if I am going to choose, I would choose America,” said Munoz.

Yet Munoz was quick not to discount some of the teams from Central America, including 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup champions Alajuelense of Costa Rica, who eliminated Munoz and Club America during the group stage of the 2013-14 edition.

“Alajuelense is a very good team from Costa Rica and you cannot write them off. I was eliminated once by them, so they will be a good team to follow. From the Central American zone, that will be one of the most dangerous teams, so I would put them in the mix and it is going to be a tough team to beat,” said Munoz.

Messi is one of several players that Munoz will be eager to watch in the Champions Cup. The former goalkeeper also has his favorites that he likes to follow in the region.

“As far as players to watch, certainly Andre-Pierre Gignac from Tigres. From America I would say Alvaro Fidalgo, Diego Valdes, Henry Martin, those are three that I like to watch. Andre Blake, the goalkeeper for Philadelphia, he’s a really good goalkeeper. I like him a lot, I really like how he plays, so I’ll be watching him closely. But, of course, all eyes will be on Messi,” said Munoz. “[Club America GK] Luis Malagon is one to watch. He’s young. He’s growing up, he’s had a chance with the national team and tries to do better every time. And if you like goalkeeping, definitely Nahuel Guzman from Tigres. He is crazy in a good way. He plays really well, he also plays those mind games to try to mess with players he goes against, so I want to see what he has in mind,” said Munoz.

When he takes a step back to analyze the strength of the teams of the tournament and the class of the players set to participate, Munoz views the 2024 edition as having the most quality ever in a Champions Cup.

“I believe this is the strongest Champions Cup yet. The teams are very competitive, and as we saw in the Leagues Cup, MLS teams are pushing really hard. Ten years ago, there was a bigger difference, so it is great to see how much the teams from MLS have grown. I love to watch the MLS teams play against the Mexican teams, and we’re not going to write off any of the Central American teams like Alajuelense. It’s going to be a delight to see those head-to-heads,” said Munoz.

In his decorated career, Munoz played in eight Champions Cup matches, registering five clean sheets and winning the 2014-15 and 2015-16 with Club America. For Munoz, there is nothing quite like playing on Concacaf’s biggest club stage, and especially in the Final.

“It’s so exciting to play that final, even if it’s in a different setting, a different pitch, different stadium, outside your country. I believe that it makes it a lot more interesting. It’s a big responsibility for your team and your country. I hope the players get excited playing in these matches because this is something that you want to experience. If you haven’t experienced it before, try your best to do so. It motivates you and fulfills you as a footballer,” concluded Munoz.