Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White starred again as he led his team to victory with two goals, securing a 2-0 win against Saprissa and advancing them to the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. This decisive win took place on February 28, 2025, at B.C. Place, where the Canadian team aimed to rebound after losing the first leg of the tie.
Right at the start of the second half, White found the back of the net with a well-placed header, connecting with Jayden Nelson’s assist just two minutes after the break, making the score 1-0 on the night and tying the aggregate score at 2-2. Thanks to White's efforts, the Whitecaps turned the momentum of the match around, much to the delight of the 14,509 fans present.
Before White's opener, the Whitecaps had shown dominance during the first half, outshooting Saprissa 4-2, though they struggled to get past Esteban Alvarado, the opposing goalkeeper. Vancouver’s Ali Ahmed had several good chances, with one notable attempt blocked just before halftime after he maneuvered through Saprissa’s defense.
White continued to threaten after his first goal, nearly adding to his tally with another attempt hitting the post around the 72nd minute. While Saprissa’s Kendall Waston also attempted to make his mark by testing Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, he couldn’t find the net. Takaoka denied Waston's close-range efforts, securing his first clean sheet of the competition.
White capped off his exceptional performance with another goal during stoppage time, taking advantage of sloppy defending from Saprissa after a contentious corner. The final score of 2-0 solidified the Whitecaps’ advancement to the next round with a 3-2 aggregate score.
The victory is particularly significant for White, who scored both of his goals of the season on this night. His current form bodes well for the team as they look forward to facing Monterrey from Liga MX in the upcoming round. Nelson's four assists this season also spotlight his growing influence on the field as he continues to demonstrate playmaking abilities.
Following the match, White expressed his excitement about the team's performance. "It felt great to be able to contribute and get the goals when they mattered. We knew we had to come back strong after the first leg, and the team executed the game plan perfectly," he said.
The Whitecaps now turn their attention to the octavos de final, where they will meet the powerful Monterrey side. With both the tangible impact of player performances and the strategic execution of their game plan, Vancouver looks to ride this wave of momentum deep within the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Overall, the night proved to be a resounding success for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who continue to display resilience and potential as they navigate through the prestigious tournament.