Wednesday night in Mexico, the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated CF Monterrey over the course of two legs in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, by a final score of 2-2, 3-3 on aggregate, with the Whitecaps advancing on away goals.
It was a historic performance for Vancouver, who much like the rest of their MLS compatriots, have struggled mightily against the big Liga MX sides in continental competition over the years. Though Vancouver played very well in the first leg of this tie, there was always a sense that things might be much different the second time around. That was certainly the case to open the match, as the home side scored after just four minutes, increasing the challenge for Vancouver.
After the Whitecaps were careless with the ball in their own defensive third, the ball was played across the Vancouver area landing at the feet of Sergio Canales, who demonstrated his class with a tidy side-netting finish past Isaac Boehmer. Whitecaps youngster Tate Johnson, who was the belle of the ball this past weekend against Montreal, was guilty of ball-watching and poor positioning on the cross, which left Monterrey’s number 10 wide open in front of goal.
At this point, it would have been very easy for the Whitecaps’ heads to drop and for the match to slowly but surely drift away from them, yet, something seems to be different about this group in 2025. Vancouver knew that they needed to score regardless in this match, and they played like it for the rest of the first half, mounting more and more pressure on the home side, while also drawing a number of fouls and getting under the skin of their opponents.
Despite this positive play, Vancouver did not have a shot on target in that first half, and Daniel Rios, who started up front, was largely ineffective. Sørensen decided something had to change at the half, and he went back to his tried and true 4-3-3 shape, removing Johnson and Halbouni, and replacing them with Laborda and Ngando.
This change worked a treat for Vancouver as they came out flying in the second half, beginning to turn their positive play into genuine threats towards the Monterrey goal. This culminated with a great run from Ali Ahmed in the 56th minute, who found the feet of Pedro Vite at the edge of the area. Vite played the ball into space for an on-running Edier Ocampo, and the young Colombian absolutely smashed the ball home for his first goal in Whitecaps colours.
With the score level, Monterrey knew they were just one play away from a disaster, and they began to play with that weight on their shoulders. Meanwhile, the goal appeared to give the Whitecaps a boost in their confidence, especially with Brian White entering the match to lead the line.
It was really all Whitecaps from there as the second half went on, with Vancouver exerting their trademark possession-based control over the match, suffocating the home side.
Then, in the 78th minute, Vancouver finally found the knockout blow they were seeking. Some great team pressing by Andres Cubas and Ali Ahmed led to a wild deflected pass that fell right at Brian White’s feet at the top of the area. The American international slotted the ball home comfortably, and all of a sudden Monterrey were two goals away from finding life in the match.
As tends to happen in these cup matches, especially in Concacaf, things were a bit unhinged from there on out. Monterrey hit the crossbar just moments after Vancouver went ahead, and when the match went into added time, the home side was awarded a penalty that seemed to be based on Sergio Ramos’ aura alone.
Ramos converted the penalty, saving a bit of embarrassment for the Mexican giants. Still, they were unable to find a good chance in front of goal after that, and Vancouver walked away with a massive result to eliminate one of the biggest sides in the region and progress to the quarterfinals.
Overall, it was massively impressive the way that Jesper Sørensen’s side, without a number of their key players, was able to grit out a result against Monterrey. It’s a credit to the buy-in the Danish manager has been able to secure from his squad, and the work of young players, in particular, has been notable to start the year. Pedro Vite was once again phenomenal, while Edier Ocampo was also a standout, not only for his goal, but also for his aggression and workrate right until the final whistle.
It will certainly be a challenge for the Whitecaps to continue thriving without Ryan Gauld, but with the result on Wednesday night, the Whitecaps have shown they have the mentality and determination to push through whatever obstacles they might face. They will need that mentality in the weeks to come, as with the victory, they have earned themselves even more tough matches in this competition.
I missed the 1st 11 minutes so I missed seeing the new formation that was brought up many times during the 1st half by the broadcast crew. It looked to me as a front 3: Rios, Ahmed, Ocampo. When the half time subs were made Ocampo dropped back to right back leaving Rios and Ahmed as the out and out attackers, with Ahmed covering a ton of ground. The attack down the right was created by Vite and Ocampo with Ahmed showing up on the right sometimes as well. Ngando seemed to be wherever he needed to be. Don’t know if it’s just a case of the coach giving certain attacking players the licence to roam but it allows the team to attack with pace and in possession. Something rarely seen under Sartini (that kind of attack fell onto the shoulders of Gauld alone). Anyway, what a refreshing change.
you nailed it- we have a much better head coach
Terrific result, and a complete surprise. Two games away from an Inter Miami rematch, which I think would be a deserved prize for all these midweek efforts.
Watching from afar (in Europe), I am more than happy with what the new coach has brought to the Caps so far.
To say I was unimpressed in the close season with Axel’s late appointment of Jasper and the lack of signings would be an understatement, and I still think we need another DP creative player to play alongside (and cover for) Ryan Gould.
However Jasper has the coaching experience and tactical acumen that Vanna lacked, and that is proving to be far more important than a bunch of new signings.
Fopr the first year in many, I am excited to get over to Vancouver to see my usual two or three home games each season! For the regulars at BC Place, I’m envious because this could be the best season in many many years!
Nice to see Ocampo get his first goal. That’ll do some good for him, not that he was lacking in confidence before. Still don’t quite understand that penalty, but who really knows how the whims of CONCACAF fate work?
Also, Boehmer looked more off than I thought he would. Positioning uncertain at times,Playing in Mexico is never easy, but the rebound control on the free kick was brutal (soooo lucky on the crossbar), and it’s arguable he should’ve saved the 1st goal as well. I’m not worried though, everyone has off games.
really have to say that i never expected this to happen– when do the Caps ever do well playing in Mexico??
1. MOTM– this trophy goes to the head coach, Jesper Sorensen- changing players, changing formations- he even did subs at half time, something that our previous coach just didnt seem to grasp- adding Laborda, Ngando and then eventually White were terrific adjustments- IMO, Jesper won us the game- he is getting the best out of his top 16 players
2. POTM- being a rookie who rarely got game time in 2024, Edier Ocampo has to be the surprise addition to the starting line-up- a close second has to be Cubas who doggedly hounded the Mexican team- Ngando settled the MF with his poise and availability to receive the ball and move it forwards
3. Isaac Boehmer played average with 2 howler mistakes that almost cost us the game- i still like him as a goalie having good potential and hope to see him get more starts- 1 day, he will be on the Canadian team
4. We can only imagine what Ali Ahmed could be if he had shots and goals in his kit
good to hear that Gauld will only miss another 3-4 games- by then Nelsen and Sabbi will also be ready
on a negative note, did Rios even touch the ball ?? he has to have more in his kit or he will go down as another Ardaiz
Salty
3-3 on away goals.
3-1 if we take away the two Concacaf goals that were gifted to them by a reffing crew I otherwise thought did a good job (that’s obviously a huge caveat through)
The only down spot for me was Rios. The didn’t mind the new formation, but i appreciated the willingness to change it back at half time.
Rios isn’t doing anything for me in the ~100 minutes he has played. I’d rather we play a young striker to get experience and not score than a veteran loan who is isn’t scoring either.
i agree with you- he had 7 G in 16 appearances in 2024, 2023 was a bust in Mexico, and 9G in 2022 at Charlotte
he reminds me a lot of Ardaiz and either he adds more when he does play, then he is a bust and the young Canadian rookie should be in the game – i dont think Jesper will wait too long
He gets a temporary pass from me as he missed pre-season but I hope he finds his form soon. The Mar. 22 match Caps will be without Gauld, White, Ahmed & Vite.