Club América claimed the CONCACAF W Champions Cup title on Saturday night, defeating Washington Spirit 5-3 in a thrilling eight-goal final at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico. Captain Scarlett Camberos was named the best player of the final after contributing one goal and two assists in the dramatic victory.
The Liga MX side overcame a deficit after Washington Spirit rallied from two goals down to take a 3-2 lead, only to see Club América score three unanswered goals to secure the championship. Irene Guerrero scored the decisive go-ahead goal in the 79th minute, while Camberos sealed the victory six minutes into stoppage time.
A Match of Momentum Swings and Spectacular Goals
The final delivered non-stop action from the opening whistle, with both teams showcasing attacking intent throughout the 90 minutes. Club América struck first when Aylín Aviléz found the net in the 22nd minute, giving the Mexican club an early advantage against their NWSL opponents.
Geyse extended Club América’s lead in the 27th minute, putting the Liga MX side in a commanding 2-0 position. At that point, Washington Spirit faced an uphill battle in their quest for the regional championship.
However, the Spirit demonstrated remarkable character in the second half. Just 35 seconds after the restart, Rosemonde Kouassi pulled one back for Washington, injecting life into the NWSL club’s hopes. The momentum had shifted dramatically.
Kouassi struck again in the 58th minute, completing her brace and leveling the score at 2-2. The Ivorian forward, who finished the tournament as the top scorer with six goals, was proving to be a constant threat to the Club América defense.
Sofia Cantore then produced a moment of individual brilliance, scoring from an astonishing 35 yards out to give Washington Spirit a 3-2 lead. The long-range strike beat goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and sent the American contingent into celebration, with the Spirit on the verge of claiming the title.
Club América’s Dramatic Comeback
Facing a deficit with time running out, Club América found another gear. Geyse scored her second goal of the night in the 61st minute, bringing the Mexican club level at 3-3 and setting up a tense final half hour.
The winning moment arrived in the 79th minute when Irene Guerrero found the back of the net to restore Club América’s lead at 4-3. The goal proved decisive as Washington Spirit pushed for an equalizer.
Captain Scarlett Camberos put the exclamation point on the victory six minutes into stoppage time, her goal making it 5-3 and securing the championship for Club América. Her performance throughout the final, with one goal and two assists, earned her the best player award.
What We Know So Far
This was the second edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, the regional championship for women’s club teams. Club América reached the final after defeating defending champions Gotham FC 4-1 in the semifinal round.
Washington Spirit earned their place in the final through a 1-0 semifinal victory over Pachuca, the host club for the tournament. The Spirit showed throughout the competition that they could compete at the highest level of regional club soccer.
In the third-place match, Pachuca defeated Gotham FC 3-0. The defending champions from New Jersey were unable to replicate their success from the inaugural tournament.
Rosemonde Kouassi finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals, including her two in the final. Her performances throughout the competition highlighted her status as one of the top forwards in women’s soccer.
Spirit Show Resilience Despite Defeat
Despite the painful loss, Washington Spirit players took pride in their performance and the fighting spirit they displayed throughout the match. Coming back from 2-0 down to take the lead showed the character within the NWSL squad.
Kate Wiesner reflected on the match after the final whistle, acknowledging both the disappointment and the positives the team could take from the experience.
“Obviously, the result stings a little bit, but incredible effort from the team, to be two goals down and come back and tie it up,” Wiesner said. “I think we showed a lot of resilience today, which is what we want to be part of our DNA as the Spirit. And so proud of the fight that we put up, obviously came up short, but a lot of lessons learned and a lot of things we can take back and hopefully improve on.”
Key Performances in the Final
Several players stood out in the high-scoring championship match. For Club América, the attacking contributions came from multiple sources, making them difficult for Washington Spirit to contain.
Scarlett Camberos led the way with her all-around performance. The captain delivered when her team needed her most, providing two assists to go along with her stoppage-time goal that sealed the victory. Her leadership throughout the tournament was recognized with the best player of the final award.
Geyse proved to be a constant threat for Club América, scoring twice in the final. Her second goal in the 61st minute leveled the match at 3-3 and proved crucial in the eventual victory.
Aylín Aviléz opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, setting the tone for an attacking performance from the Mexican club. Irene Guerrero delivered the most important goal of the night, her 79th-minute strike proving to be the match-winner.
For Washington Spirit, Rosemonde Kouassi was outstanding despite being on the losing side. Her two goals in the final brought her tournament total to six, making her the competition’s top scorer. Her ability to find the net consistently throughout the tournament demonstrated her quality at the international club level.
Sofia Cantore’s goal from 35 yards out will be remembered as one of the finest strikes of the tournament, even if it was not enough to secure victory for the Spirit.
Tournament Context and Significance
The CONCACAF W Champions Cup brings together top women’s club teams from across the confederation, including Liga MX and NWSL clubs. This second edition of the tournament provided another showcase for women’s club soccer in the region.
Club América’s path to the championship included a commanding 4-1 semifinal victory over Gotham FC, who entered the tournament as defending champions. The Liga MX club showed they were a force to be reckoned with throughout the competition.
Washington Spirit’s semifinal victory over Pachuca, the host club, demonstrated the NWSL side’s ability to perform in a challenging environment. Their 1-0 win set up the final against Club América.
The third-place match saw Pachuca salvage some pride on home soil with their 3-0 victory over Gotham FC. The Mexican club finished the tournament on a positive note after their semifinal exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the CONCACAF W Champions Cup 2026?
Club América won the CONCACAF W Champions Cup 2026, defeating Washington Spirit 5-3 in the final at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico.
Who was the top scorer of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup?
Rosemonde Kouassi of Washington Spirit was the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, including two in the final match against Club América.
Who was named best player of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup final?
Club América captain Scarlett Camberos was named best player of the final after recording one goal and two assists in the 5-3 victory over Washington Spirit.
Where was the CONCACAF W Champions Cup final played?
The final was played at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico, on Saturday night, May 23-24, 2026.
What happened in the third-place match?
Pachuca defeated defending champions Gotham FC 3-0 in the third-place match of the tournament.
The 2026 CONCACAF W Champions Cup final will be remembered for its dramatic swings in momentum and the eight goals that thrilled spectators at Estadio Hidalgo. Club América’s ability to respond after falling behind to Washington Spirit showcased the quality and mental strength of the Liga MX champions, while the Spirit’s resilience in coming back from 2-0 down demonstrated the competitive nature of women’s club soccer across the CONCACAF region.
