Good Friday morning Caps fans, hope you all are gearing up for a restful and enjoyable weekend and that the sun might fight through enough for it to truly feel like spring.

Here at 86 Forever, we have openly admitted to be at a loss for words for describing, praising and pontificating on the Caps’ stunning run to start the season. This is, in part, because the Caps have been just that good. But at the same time, as Whitecaps fans, we are all conditioned to think the good times will eventually end and things will return to normal.

When Ignacio Pussetto scored at the death on Wednesday night, a goal that seemingly was going to put Pumas through to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals, there were one or two people who thought that was the balloon bursting for Vancouver, at least as far as continental competition is concerned. I know that was my first reaction.

But there also was the thought in the back of my mind that this team was different. I certainly knew the Caps wouldn’t take things standing down. And, of course, Tristan Blackmon flipped the script, giving Vancouver a second straight series win against a Liga MX opponent when they did not lead heading into the away fixture. That keeps Vancouver’s continental hopes alive in stunning fashion.

Outside of Lucas Moura’s second half hattrick to send Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, I’m not sure there is a better moment in my entire history as a soccer fan. In part, that is because Blackmon’s goal puts the Caps in the semifinal of a major tournament for only the second time in its history (exclusive of Voyageurs Cup), facing Lionel Messi no less.

But also the exuberance and joy comes out of what it represents for a team that has furiously tried to get over the hump and could not. The potential was always there, waiting to be realized. Who knew it required a Danish manager and an eclectic bunch of players to make it happen.

While Wednesday’s match will not be held up as a paragon of great soccer, the Caps were comfortably the better team across two legs. Pedro Vite, Sebastian Berhalter and Andres Cubas were rock solid and Berhalter had what will surely be the goal of the tournament in the first half. Yohei Takaoka, often maligned (generally unfairly), was massive.

The reward is a date with Inter Miami in two weeks’ time and the benefits of this should not be understated. When Messi and Co. skipped the match last season, it was likely due to turf and travel but also an internal calculation that Vancouver could be beaten without their top men. That won’t be possible now. And for a club looking to maintain relevance in its market and boost visibility, well, what better advertisement for your high-flying team than marketing the ability to go toe-to-toe with the best player in the world.

The ride to start this season has surpassed our collective hopes and dreams. The best part is it is just getting started.

Shameless Self Promotion

We bask in the glory of Tristan Blackmon’s late winner (and the CONCACAF of it all) in both written and audio form.

Best of the Rest

More on the ticket situation for Messi’s arrival in Vancouver in two weeks time. That will see the Caps’ away match against Minnesota booted to April 27.

Meanwhile, former Whitecaps man Efrain Juarez has his own perspective on Pumas’ exit.

The Kevin de Bruyne saga has once again focused the spotlight on discovery rights, one of MLS’ more bizarre rules.

MLS won’t switch its schedule to play through the winter until 2027 at the earliest, after the owners punted on such a move Thursday.

Canada was drawn with Honduras, El Salvador and Curacao in the Gold Cup group stage.