- Brian White scored his fifth goal across all competitions, and is now tied as the leading goalscorer in Concacaf Champions Cup play this season with four goals
- The second leg will take place next Wednesday, April 9 at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico. Watch live on OneSoccer, FuboTV, or TELUS channel 980
- The away goals rule is in effect
- The winner will move on to face either MLS side Los Angeles FC or Inter Miami CF in the semifinals, to be played between April 22 to 24 for the first leg and April 29 to May 1 for the second leg
VANCOUVER, BC – It was another feisty Concacaf night at BC Place, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC were held to a hotly-contested 1-1 draw in the first leg of their quarterfinal series against Mexican side Pumas UNAM.
The home side started the match hot, forcing Pumas goalkeeper Alex Padilla into a big save inside the opening few minutes. J.C. Ngando found Sebastian Berhalter inside the box with a cutback cross, allowing the American to fire a low shot towards goal, with Padilla just able to palm it away.
Pumas then settled into the match, momentarily keeping ‘Caps at bay until Édier Ocampo drilled in a dangerous cross in the 23rd minute, just narrowly missing the outstretched boot of the onrushing Brian White.
Whitecaps FC kept the pressure up throughout the rest of the half, keeping possession in Pumas’ half and creating half-chances all the way until halftime.
The second half continued the trend of the ‘Caps’ dominance, entrenching themselves just outside the Pumas box. Pedro Vite managed to split open the Pumas defence on a few occasions, but the Mexican side just managed to recover before Whitecaps FC could capitalize.
The ‘Caps had to be patient, probing Pumas’ resolve until Brian White finally got the breakthrough in the 71st minute. After a Berhalter corner into the box, a goalmouth scramble ensued, allowing White to poke in the goal from close range.
Pumas UNAM did strike back with less than five minutes to go. Former Houston Dynamo midfielder Coco Carrasquilla thumped in a corner kick at the back post to level the score.
Emmanuel Sabbi nearly got the ‘Caps back into the lead after his downward header was palmed onto the post by Padilla. Daniel Ríos had his own headed chance just seconds later, going for a diving header in the box but going off target.
Despite the late chances and yet another dominant performance, Whitecaps FC had to settle for a 1-1 draw ahead of next week’s visit to Mexico City.
Whitecaps FC, sitting in first place in the MLS Western Conference, are right back in league action at BC Place this coming Saturday, April 5 as they host Colorado Rapids at 6:30 p.m. PT. Festivities for the annual Vaisakhi Celebration Match presented by MNP start at 5 p.m. PT at the Fan Zone on Terry Fox Plaza. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Attendance: 12,356
Referee: Keylor Herrera
Scoring Summary
71’ – VAN – Brian White
87’ – PUM – Adalberto Carrasquilla (Leonardo Suárez)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 51% - PUM 49%
Shots: VAN 8 - PUM 4
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 - PUM 2
Saves: VAN 1 - PUM 2
Fouls: VAN 7 - PUM 9
Offsides: VAN 0 - PUM 0
Corners: VAN 5 - PUM 2
Cautions
69’ – VAN – Jayden Nelson
81’ – PUM – Leonardo Suárez
90’+7 – PUM – Jorge Ruvalcaba
90’+7 – VAN – Tristan Blackmon
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 18.Édier Ocampo, 33.Tristan Blackmon, 4.Ranko Veselinović ©, 28.Tate Johnson; 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 13.Ralph Priso (11.Emmanuel Sabbi 61’), 26.J.C. Ngando (59.Jeevan Badwal 85’); 45.Pedro Vite, 24.Brian White (14.Daniel Ríos 75’), 22.Ali Ahmed (7.Jayden Nelson 62’)
Substitutes not used
30.Adrían Zendejas, 32.Isaac Boehmer, 12.Belal Halbouni, 19.Damir Kreilach, 27.Giuseppe Bovalina, 53.Mark O'Neill
Pumas UNAM
1.Alex Padilla; 6.Nathan Silva, 2.Paolo Bennevendo, 4.Lisandro Magallán (13.Pablo Monroy 46’), 22.Robert Ergas (17.Jorge Ruvalcaba 79’); 27.Piero Quispe (10.Leonardo Suárez 73’), 5.Rúben Duarte, 8.José Caicedo, 20.Santiago Trigos, 28.Adalberto Carrasquilla (15.Ulises Rivas 90’); 9.Guillermo Martínez (29.Rogelio Funes Mori 79’)
Substitutes not used
35.Pablo Lara, 19.Alí Ávila, 23.Ignacio Pussetto, 42.Ángel Rico, 45.Santiago López, 51.Ángel Azuaje
