The 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League was 47th edition of the highest level club tournament sanctioned by CONCACAF. It is the first under the current format, as the early qualifying round was eliminated and a second group stage was added.
The draw for the qualifying round was held on 8 August. The matches were completed on 19-20 August and 26-27 August. The team listed at team #1 was home first.
The thirty-two remaining clubs are divided into eight groups with four clubs each. Clubs from the same nation may not be grouped together. Each group consists of two clubs that got into this stage directly and two that had to qualify. Each club plays six matches - one home and one away against each of three opponents. The top two clubs from each group progress to a second group stage, while the third-place club from each group moves to the McDonalds Soccer Cup round of 24.
Any ties in the standings will be broken in the following manor:
higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question;
superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question;
higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question;
higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question;
superior goal difference from all group matches played;
higher number of goals scored in all group matches played;
in cases where exactly two clubs are tied on all previous criteria and they play each other on the final matchday, kicks from the penalty mark will be conducted in lieu of the remaining criteria;
higher number of coefficient points accumulated by the club in question, as well as its association, over the previous three seasons;
drawing of lots.
Key to colours in group tables
Teams that progressed to the Second Group Stage are indicated in bold type
Teams that progressed to the McDonalds Soccer Cup are indicated in bold italics
Teams eliminated from American competitions for the season are indicated in plain text.
Eight winners and eight runners up from the first group stage were drawn into 4 groups of 4 teams each, each containing two group winners and two runners-up. Teams from the same country or from the same first round group cannot be drawn together. The top 2 teams in each group advance to the quarter finals. The tiebreaking system is identical to that used in the first group stage
Key to colours in group tables
Teams that progressed to the Quarter-finals are indicated in bold type
Teams eliminated from European competitions for the season are indicated in plain text
FC Beach Boys vs. Atlante
Beach Boys continued their surprise run through the tournament with a 4-3 aggregate win in the quarter-final over Atlante. The Beach Boys drew at home 2-2, then defeated Atlante on the road 2-1 in extra time. Brian Wilson scored a goal for the Beach Boys in each game.
La Cruz vs. Pachuca
After a scorless game at Costa Kufos, Jaime Correa put Pachuca on the board with a late goal in Estadio Hidalgo to put the Mexican side into the semi-finals.
FC Beach Boys vs. Pachuca
The Beach Boys hoped to continue their Cinderella run through the tournament as they ran into Mexican giant Pachuca. After drawing 1-1 in both legs, Pachuca won on Penalties.
Houston Dynamo vs. Cleveland
In a rematch of the 2008 American Premier League Championship won by Cleveland, the two American sides did battle. Houston were victorious this time, with a 4-3 aggregate win
Pachuca (3rd title)
Houston Dynamo
Cristiano Ronaldo (8 goals)
Mexico
United States
Jamaica
Haiti
Canada
Honduras
Panama
Guatemala
Barbados
Bahamas
Saint Lucia
Nicaragua
Aruba
Puerto Rico
Suriname
Saint Martin
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Belize
Netherlands Antilles
U.S. Virgin Islands
Dominican Republic
Guyana
Grenada
FC United of Panama
Marigot
Point Lisas
Frederiksted CF
Grenville City
Racing Club Haïtien
BAC
Santo Domingo
CD Olimpia
St. Vincent's FC
Huffman
Paramaribo
29'
Crocker 