The ultimate match of Spherical 1 was performed final evening at BC Place because the Vancouver Whitecaps hosted San José, Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa within the reverse fixture.
Whenever you discuss concerning the Vancouver Whitecaps offense, one of many first names to pop up is Scotsman Ryan Gauld. And with good motive. With 90 contributions evenly shared between objectives and assists in 137 video games, his knack for hitting the online in essential moments far outweighs their easy numeric influence. It was his objective within the first leg of this collection final week at Saprissa that leap began Vancouver’s 2025 marketing campaign. He received one other of their emphatic 4 – 1 win over rivals Portland Timbers final Saturday.
Which is why his omission from tonight’s reverse fixture line-up was a shock. In spite of everything, the ‘Caps had been within the gap after Saprissa’s Ariel Rodríguez scored a late winner within the ninety fifth minute of stoppage time. Nothing wanting a 1 – 0 win (or its objective differential equal) would knock Vancouver out.
A Nervy Starting
The primary half wasn’t promising. Saprissa pressed early earlier than Vancouver was in a position to regain possession and momentum. Homegrown prospect Ali Ahmed whiffed a sitter and each groups entered the dressing room bemoaning wasted possibilities.
Enter Brian “hold-my-beer” White. This New Jersey-born striker holds the Vancouver all-time objective scoring report, and delivered tonight in emphatic trend. Lower than 60 seconds into the beginning of the second half, he redirected a Jayden Nelson cross into the Saprissa web. This sparked a energetic and totally entertaining second half by which each groups struck the woodwork twice. Gauld would sub on within the 63rd minute and ship some essential passing, however Vancouver’s insurance coverage objective would come from White’s foot after a Sebastian Berhalter free kick would rebound off the submit.
Spherical of 16 Fixtures
With Vancouver’s dramatic win we now have the following spherical locked in place.
Tuesday, March 4
Los Angeles FC (USA) vs. Columbus Crew (USA)
UNAM (Mexico) vs. Alajulense (Costa Rica)
FC Cincinnati (USA) vs. UANL (Mexico)
Wednesday, March 5
Vancouver Whitecaps (Canada) vs. Monterrey (Mexico)
Guadalajara (Mexico) vs. América (Mexico)
Seattle Sounders (Canada) vs. Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Herediano (Costa Rica) vs. LA Galaxy
Thursday, March 6
