Copa Merconorte
The Copa Merconorte was a football club competition, which was held from südamerikaninschen continental federation CONMEBOL in the years 1998 to 2001. He was the antithesis to the Copa Mercosur, which was thematically aligned with the membership of their home countries of the participants in the trade pact Mercosur clubs. In contrast, a Merconorte did not exist, however. rsssf.com notes to the Copa Mercosur that competition probably should mainly increase the TV revenue of various South American top clubs. A similar approach could find application here.
Initially clubs took part from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Later clubs from the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico were added.
Successor to the never particularly popular competition should be the Copa Panamericana whose Erstaustragung was postponed from 2002 to 2003 and which ultimately did not come to removal. In your place in the Copa Sudamericana has been held since 2002.
In the years 1998 and 1999 participated 12 teams in the competition. The club played in 3 groups. These qualified along with the best second-placed team for the semi-finals. The finale was just like the semi-finals, in home and away matches played.
2000 and 2001 took part in 16 clubs, which were divided into 4 groups. The group winners qualified for the semi-finals.