PREVIEW: Do or die as ‘Caps head to Spokane for Concacaf Champions Cup, Round of 16 Second Leg | Watch on OneSoccer, FuboTV, TELUS channel 980
HOW TO WATCH: Watch on OneSoccer
NEXT HOME MATCH: ‘Caps host San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 21
VANCOUVER, BC – It’s do or die in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Round of 16.
Fresh off of dismantling Minnesota United FC by way of a 6-0 victory at the weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set for another pair of crucial matchups this week. It all starts on Wednesday, March 18 in the Second Leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup, Round of 16, with Seattle Sounders FC holding a 3-0 aggregate lead from leg one last week. The ‘Caps must score three goals and keep a clean sheet to force extra time, or score four or more and win by three to advance to the quarterfinals. Kickoff from ONE Spokane Stadium in Spokane, Washington is set for 8 p.m. PT.
LOONS DOWN: For a second consecutive season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have opened their MLS regular season with a perfect 4W-0L-0D record. After wins over Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC, and Portland Timbers, the ‘Caps claimed their fourth victory in emphatic fashion with a 6-0 win over Minnesota United FC on Sunday in front of 23,885 fans at BC Place. Sebastian Berhalter recorded a goal and two assists, while Brian White scored a brace to become the first player in the club’s MLS era to reach 100 goal contributions. Cheikh Sabaly scored his first goal for the club, while Emmanuel Sabbi and Mathías Laborda each added a goal and an assist. The match marked just the second time in the club’s MLS era that Vancouver scored four goals in the first half, as well as the third time scoring six or more in a match. It was also the first match in MLS history to feature two FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winners, with Vancouver’s Thomas Müller and Minnesota’s James Rodríguez.
ALL OR NOTHING: Vancouver face a crucial week ahead, beginning Wednesday with the decisive Concacaf Champions Cup, Round of 16 Second Leg against Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC. Seattle claimed a 3-0 win last Thursday, meaning the ‘Caps must score three goals and keep a clean sheet to force extra time, or score four or more and win by three to advance to the quarterfinals. Although this is Seattle’s home leg, the match will be played at ONE Spokane Stadium in Spokane, Washington, marking the first Cascadia rivalry match played in Eastern Washington. Both teams enter the match following MLS wins on the weekend.
STOP THE EARTHQUAKES: Following their Champions Cup clash, the ‘Caps return home looking to make history when Western Conference opponents San Jose Earthquakes visit BC Place on Saturday, March 21. Vancouver will aim to extend their perfect start to the MLS season to five matches, which would mark the best start to an MLS regular season in club history and the first 5W-0L-0D start in MLS since St. Louis CITY SC achieved the feat in 2023. Since taking charge, head coach Jesper Sørensen has compiled a 20W-4L-7D record across all competitions at BC Place. In the most recent meeting against the Earthquakes last October, the Blue and White earned a 4-1 victory, with goals from Rayan Elloumi, Thomas Müller, and a brace from Sebastian Berhalter.
