1998 Copa Merconorte
The 1998 Copa Merconorte was the 1st edition of association football tournament Copa Merconorte held in 1998. Atlético Nacional of Colombia beat Deportivo Cali also of Colombia in the final.
Originally, this tournament was to start on 1 September 1998, with 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4. Those 16 teams included 3 Mexican teams, América, Cruz Azul and Guadalajara.
However, the Mexican Football Federation insisted on including Toluca and Necaxa, the two finalists of the 1998 Summer season, instead of América and Guadalajara, who had been chosen for their popular support. No agreement could be reached, and on 20 August the Mexican teams withdrew. The organization then decided to remove the two teams from the USA as well, include a fourth Colombian team and play with 3 groups of 4.
Participants
Group stage
According to the original draw in march of 1998, these are the groups of competition:Group A: Sporting Cristal, Emelec, Deportivo Cali and Guadalajara
Group B: América, Universitario, El Nacional and Atlético Nacional
Group C: Alianza Lima, Barcelona, Millonarios and D.C. United
Group D: The Strongest, Caracas, Cruz Azul and Los Angeles Galaxy
Each team played the other teams in the group twice during the group stage. The three group winners and the best runner-up advanced to the second round.