For the first time in its history, Brazil squad Fluminense are the champions of South America, beating Argentina giants Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores Final.
The Club World Cup final takes place this weekend and features a matchup between Europe's reigning champion Real Madrid and Argentinean club San Lorenzo, the winner of the 2014 Copa Libertadores.
This is seventh time in the tournament's history that the European champion takes on the South American victor. As the record stands, European teams have won five of those matchups. In the most recent final between two clubs from those two continents, Brazil's Corinthians took down Chelsea 1-0.
Real Madrid enters the contest as the clear-cut favorite, but as exhibited in this short tournament, anything can happen. Can San Lorenzo stage an upset? To see those possibilities, it is essential to see how the teams got here.
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho signs with Queretaro of Liga MX and is met with both open arms and a racial slur by a former Mexican politician, Seattle Sounders clinch MLS Playoff berth and aim for the Supporters Shield, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber is interested in replay challenges for the league.
New CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol) President Juan Ángel Napout recently expressed interest in expanding Copa Libertadores participation hoping to invite CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) clubs, including Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.
