The Whitecaps have done the unthinkable again: Vancouver Whitecaps @ Pumas UNAM Post-Match Reaction
- Jarvis Ng
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
The Vancouver Whitecaps have done it once again! The Whitecaps have now completed the “unthinkable” twice. First winning the tie facing Monterrey and now winning versus Pumas. Both were thought as extremely difficult feats to achieve, now the Whitecaps have successfully done it in a span of less than a month. Beating Mexican teams has not come easily for Vancouver, despite not winning a single match in these four encounters, the Whitecaps still advanced in both of these ties. This win in the tie was slightly more dramatic than the last one. Even though the aggregate score over the two-legs was 3-3, Vancouver advances by winning on away goals (2-1).
This victory from the Whitecaps was truly remarkable, coming from the standpoint of drama and heat. The matches against Liga MX teams this year always find a way to get heated in a brief second. The overall win marks the second time the Whitecaps have advanced in the Champions Cup beating a Mexican team, the first time coming on March 12, 2025 where they had the exact same result, just in a different fashion. In their tie against Monterrey, it was also 1-1 at BC Place heading into the second leg. Then 2-2 in the second-leg meant that Vancouver went through. With this win over Pumas, it books the Whitecaps a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Semi-Finals, which sparks a matchup with Messi and Inter Miami over two legs.
The Whitecaps had a sloppy beginning in the second-leg as it looked like fatigue had an early influence into the proceedings. Pumas were fully dominating for the first quarter of an hour. However, afterward Vancouver settled into the match and even got a long shot by Vite which forced a save from Padilla.
Vancouver looked threatening, starting to create positive passing play and minor opportunities. A counter attack perfectly executed by the Whitecaps put them ahead in the game and in the tie. After a sensational run from Vite, he plays it over to Rios, who centers it to Berhalter who cheekily, with flair, puts it into the back of the net. 2-1 Vancouver on aggregate.
However, the lead lasted merely minutes. Off a corner, Carrasquilla in a near identical position compared to the first-leg’s equalizer, strikes it towards Takaoka who couldn't hold on and the rebound falls to Martinez who taps it in. All square now at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario.
Halftime shortly came along, and Vancouver knew that a goal would mean their probability of advancing would increase significantly. The reason is because if Vancouver scores one, Pumas will need two if they want to advance, if they can't get two, Vancouver advances.
The Whitecaps were dropping back and went without the ball for the majority of the second-half. The second half went without a goal after numerous chances that Pumas failed to capitalize on. Including headers and multiple set-pieces. Takaoka was crucial for Vancouver maintaining a draw until Pumas’ eventual goal in the 88th minute. The goal was off a rebound from a headed shot by Pusseto. This goal looked to have sent Pumas through to the semis.
Although chances were looking extremely slim for Vancouver to advance, they knew that a goal would send them through. Despite seemingly running out of gas, Vancouver had one last push in them. With the time ticking during stoppage time, Veselinovic played a ball from the halfway line, White got a flick on it, Ocampo controlled it and delivered a low-driven cross to Blackmon who smashed it into the Pumas net, Vancouver did it in the 93rd minute.
With that monumental goal by Tristan Blackmon, the Whitecaps look forward to their future endeavors. Two dates with Miami at BC Place on April 24th and the second-leg hosted by Miami on April 30th. It would be extremely intriguing if this Vancouver Whitecaps squad can continue their underdog story and get to the final, something that they have never done in their franchise.
The Whitecaps' dream start to the season shows that they can win, even when not controlling the game. Even though this doesn't classify as a win, it's an accomplishment that’ll likely be talked about by Whitecaps fans for quite a while. The stoppage time goal from Tristan Blackmon that sent the Whitecaps to the semi-finals. Their next match is at home against Austin on Saturday at 4:30PM P.D.T.
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