Description
Match Date: October 8, 2003
Competition: 2003 Concacaf Champions League Final
Location: Estadio Nemesio Díez
Match Story:
As one of the oldest club’s in Mexico, it’s not surprising that they’re one of the most decorated clubs in the domestic game − although supporters of los Diablos Rojos frequently have to wait long stretches to enjoy the glory. But one of the club’s biggest ever moments came in the 2003 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cashing in on their 2002 Aperatura championship, the Mexican Red Devils advanced past Jamaica’s W. Connection, Honduras’ Municipal, and eventually compatriots Club América in the semifinal. Their reward was a two-league final against Morelia, themselves finalists the year before in 2002. The two sides battled to a wild 3-3 draw in the first leg on the road. But in the second and final leg, at home at Estadio Nemesio Díez, Diabolos Rojos struck twice either side of halftime, holding out for a 5-4 aggregate win and their second continental crown and first in 35 years.
Design Story:
The match side features several elements prominent to the Mexican side’s crest, including both the crown and the laurels, and a solid blue bar across the middle that emulates some of their early crests. The reverse features a design inspired by the outer shell of their home stadium Estadio Nemesio Díez, cast in the club’s primary color red.
