MEXICO CITY — In a thrilling display of resilience, the Vancouver Whitecaps stunned Pumas UNAM in the Concacaf Champions Cup, securing a 2-2 draw that allowed them to advance on away goals with a 3-3 aggregate score. The match, held on April 9, 2025, at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, was marked by a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer from Tristan Blackmon, who hammered home a first-time volley in the dying moments of the game.
The Whitecaps had initially taken the lead through Sebastian Berhalter, who scored in the 33rd minute, sending a wave of optimism through the Canadian side. However, Pumas responded swiftly, leveling the score just four minutes later with a goal from Guillermo Martinez. The tension escalated further when Ignacio Pussetto put Pumas ahead in the 88th minute, seemingly putting Vancouver's hopes of progression in jeopardy.
But the Whitecaps were not ready to concede. Knowing they needed a second goal to advance, Edier Ocampo made a crucial play, getting to the byline and delivering a half-volleyed cross back across the six-yard box. Blackmon was there to meet it, scoring the equalizer that sent the Whitecaps into the semifinals against none other than Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Head coach Jesper Sørensen expressed his elation after the match, stating, "This is high up as a coach... I don't know how high I would rank it, but it's definitely up there. Getting to the semifinal stage in Concacaf is not something that comes along very often." He acknowledged the challenges of the tournament, saying, "You don't know that when you start out the tournament, of course, you hope you go along. But you're up against tough opponents all the time and also playing under different circumstances."
The Whitecaps have made history with this run in the Concacaf Champions Cup, having knocked out two Liga MX powerhouses in consecutive rounds. They previously defeated Monterrey before facing Pumas, marking a significant achievement for an MLS team. Since 2008, only three MLS clubs have managed to defeat Liga MX opponents on the road in the second leg without winning the first leg outright; the Whitecaps have two of those victories in 2025.
Reflecting on the match, Blackmon remarked, "The team worked hard tonight, and we put ourselves in position to score late. It was always not pretty, but we showed grit and at the end of the day we got the result that we wanted." His goal not only secured the draw but also exemplified the collective effort and determination of the Whitecaps squad.
As the Whitecaps prepare for their semifinal clash against Inter Miami, Sørensen is focused on recovery and strategy. "First of all, we need to recover from this and then we will be ready for that," Blackmon added, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting matchup against Messi’s squad, who advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over LAFC.
This semifinal will be a significant test for the Whitecaps, who have not reached this stage of the Champions Cup since 2017. They are eager to make their mark in the tournament, aiming to win it for the first time in their history. The upcoming battle against Inter Miami is anticipated to be a high-stakes encounter, pitting the best of MLS against one of the most storied players in soccer history.
On the other side of the tournament bracket, six-time Concacaf champion Cruz Azul is set to face 2020 champion Tigres, adding more intrigue to the semifinals. With the Whitecaps' remarkable journey so far, fans are left wondering if they can continue their fairy-tale run against the formidable Miami side.
Overall, the Vancouver Whitecaps have proven they are a force to be reckoned with in this year’s Concacaf Champions Cup. Their ability to overcome adversity and deliver in crucial moments has set the tone for a promising future, and as they gear up for their semifinal match, the excitement surrounding the team is palpable. The Whitecaps are ready to embrace the challenge and take on the next step in their historic campaign.
