The Philadelphia Union finished as one of the final four teams in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, and although they didn’t walk away with the tournament’s trophy, they did see two players named to the Best XI on Wednesday.
Forward Kacper Przybylko and midfielder Jamiro Monteiro were named to the tournament’s Best XI, being the only MLS players to receive the honor. Przybylko won the tournament’s Top Scorer Award with five goals in his debut in the competition while Monteiro added two goals and two assists for Jim Curtin’s squad.
It was a strong first impression in the competition for the Union, who reached the semifinal round before being eliminated by Liga MX side Club America. Philadelphia eliminated Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa before also ousting MLS opponents Atlanta United in the quarterfinals.
Liga MX headlined the remainder of the players named to the Best XI, seeing eight of the nine Mexican-based players come from the tournament’s final. Club American goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Monterrey forward Rogelio Funes Mori, and Cruz Azul’s Walter Montoya were among the other players named to the tournament’s top starting lineup.
Ochoa conceded only five goals in seven games played, registering two clean sheets and making 25 saves, the most by any goalkeeper in this season’s competition. Funes Mori scored three goals in six appearances for CCL winners Monterrey, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 Finals win over Club America.
Montoya scored two goals and registered one assist for semifinalists Cruz Azul, being the top player for the Mexican club in the tournament. Jesus Gallardo, Federico Vinas, and Sebastian Vegas were also named in the Best XI.
Here is a look at the full XI:
GK Guillermo Ochoa, Club America
DF Jesus Gallardo, Monterrey
DF Sebastian Vegas, Monterrey
DF Richard Sanchez, Club America
MF Jamiro Monteiro, Philadelphia Union
MF Alvaro Fidalgo, Club America
MF Maximiliano Meza, Monterrey
MF Federico Vinas, Club America
FW Walter Montoya, Cruz Azul
FW Rogelio Funes Mori, Monterrey
FW Kacper Przybylko, Philadelphia Union