The first-ever Reebok Cup, an international football tournament featuring four of the world's most powerful club teams, was held in the United States at the Orange Bowl in Miami and Soldier Field in Chicago on July 25 and 27, 1997, respectively.
The inaugural Reebok Cup, endorsed by FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation, showcased clubs from Brazil, Germany, Mexico and Colombia.
Representing Europe was the then five-time German League champion and two-time UEFA Cup winners Borussia Mönchengladbach.
In the "South American Showdown", Brazil national team defender Cafu, and Freddy Rincón, starting midfielder for Colombia's 1990 and 1994 World Cup teams, led Palmeiras against Club Atletico Junior, one of the oldest clubs in the Colombian first division that featured the then-rising star forward Miguel Asprilla and former Colombia national team goalkeeper José María Pazo.
The winners of the Orange Bowl doubleheader competed in the championship match to determine the inaugural Reebok Cup champions.