Rayados de Monterrey faced off against Vancouver Whitecaps at Estadio TSM on March 12, 2025, for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. Despite their hopes of advancing, Monterrey was eliminated from the competition after drawing 2-2 with Vancouver, resulting in 3-3 on aggregate. Vancouver progressed due to the away goals rule, sending shockwaves through the Monterrey fanbase and raising questions about the team's future.
Sergio Ramos, the former Real Madrid star who has made waves since joining the Mexican club, featured prominently throughout the match, and his performance highlighted his leadership on the pitch. Monterrey’s lineup included Esteban Andrada, Sergio Ramos, Stefan Medina, Luis Reyes, Ricardo Chávez, Oliver Torres, Sergio Canales, Nelson Deossa, Jorge Rodríguez, Germán Berterame, and Lucas Ocampos.
The match kicked off at 18:30 Central Mexico Time and drew a crowd of 10,420 fans at the temporary venue. Due to the scheduling conflict with Shakira's concert at Estadio BBVA, Monterrey was forced to relocate the game. The tension was palpable as the home team aimed to advance to the quarterfinals.
Things looked promising for Monterrey when Sergio Canales scored just four minutes in, taking advantage of a precise cross from Lucas Ocampos to net the first goal with his right foot. This early lead boosted the crowd's energy as they cheered on their team, hoping for another goal to solidify their position.
For much of the first half, Monterrey remained on the offensive, pushing for another score. Nelson Deossa nearly added to the tally, executing impressive teamwork with Canales and Berterame, but their shot went just wide. Canales showcased his prowess with another powerful long-range attempt, which was saved by Vancouver’s goalkeeper.
Yet, the tide turned after halftime when Vancouver struck back. Édier Ocampo equalized for the visitors with 56 minutes gone, executing a crisp cross-shot to restore parity. The game had shifted momentum as Monterrey sought to rally after the shock of conceding.
Then came the turning point for Monterrey. A costly mistake by Jorge 'Corcho' Rodríguez allowed Brian White to collect the loose ball just inside Monterrey’s box, leading to White's goal at the 78-minute mark. This goal not only put Vancouver ahead but also put Monterrey under immense pressure, needing two goals to advance.
Monterrey surged forward desperately to regain control, and fate seemed to step back when their captain, Ramos, was awarded a penalty following a handball from Vancouver late on. Ramos stepped up to take the shot and found the back of the net, tying the game at 2-2 and bringing aggregate scores to 3-3. This marked Ramos’ third goal with Monterrey and provided fans with brief hope.
Despite the late equalizer, the grim reality was dawning on Monterrey as the away goals rule dictated the outcome of the match, which meant Vancouver would advance. The final whistle confirmed Monterrey’s elimination, and the disappointment was tangible among the supporters.
Following the match, the atmosphere soured, with calls for head coach Martín Demichelis to resign as dissatisfaction rippled through the fanbase. The fans expressed their frustration, feeling let down after such high hopes for the tournament this year, especially considering the club's prestigious history, including five previous titles.
The defeat marks the latest setback for Ramos and Rayados, who will now shift their focus back to Liga MX, where they face Pumas de la UNAM at Estadio Olímpico Universitario on Sunday, March 16.