TORREÓN, MX – On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Vancouver Whitecaps shocked the soccer world by eliminating Mexican powerhouse CF Monterrey from the Concacaf Champions Cup, securing advancement through the away goals rule after finishing with a 3-3 aggregate score. A dramatic 2-2 draw at Estadio Corona marked a historic moment for the Major League Soccer club, as they became only the second MLS team since 2008 to advance past Liga MX competition, following Columbus Crew’s success against Tigres last year.
Early on, the match tested the character of the Whitecaps. Monterrey’s Sergio Canales opened the scoring just four minutes in, collecting a cross and slotting the ball past Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer. Despite facing this early setback, the Whitecaps quickly regrouped and began to assert their presence on the field.
Following some promising moves, the Whitecaps found their equalizer ten minutes after halftime. Édier Ocampo, assisted by Pedro Vite, executed a well-placed shot to level the score at 1-1, marking Ocampo's first goal for the club. The Whitecaps continued to build momentum from this breakthrough, finding their second goal through Ian White's decisive strike, which arrived shortly thereafter.
White, who had been brought onto the field just moments earlier, showcased his poaching ability with a right-footed shot from near the penalty spot, giving the Whitecaps a 2-1 lead. With this goal came the realization of overcoming Monterrey’s formidable reputation—a reputation built on five Concacaf Champions Cup titles since the 2010-2011 season.
Yet, the closing moments of the match proved to be tense. Ranko Veselinovic, a defender for Vancouver, conceded what appeared to be a contentious penalty call when the ball struck his hand inside the area. Sergio Ramos—who had not featured earlier for Monterrey—took the penalty kick awarded and made no mistake, leveling the match at 2-2 deep within stoppage time.
Despite the nervous ending, the Whitecaps emerged as winners on away goals, having scored two versus Monterrey’s one. This result not only secures their spot in the Champions Cup quarterfinals but also extends their unbeaten streak to six matches across all competitions.
Head coach Jesper Sorensen praised his team's spirit, stating, “We knew it was going to be tough coming down to Mexico. A tough opponent, so credit to the boys for getting the result we needed.” Sorensen highlighted the camaraderie and depth within the squad, particularly after the team missed their captain Ryan Gauld due to injury. Gauld, who suffered a left knee capsule sprain during the team's recent 2-0 victory against CF Montreal, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
The Whitecaps are now set to face either fellow Liga MX rivals Pumas UNAM or Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense, who are competing for their place on Thursday, March 13. Those matches will finalize the upcoming quarterfinal matchup for the Whitecaps, bringing them one step closer to potential glory.
Meanwhile, the team is also preparing for its next Major League Soccer challenge, as they are scheduled to visit FC Dallas on Saturday, March 15, 2025. According to White, the positive momentum gained from this quarterfinal run serves to boost their confidence, stating, “I think it’s been fun. Obviously, it’s tough with so many games, but I think we have such a good group, and everyone’s really enjoying the grind, getting good results.”
This impressive showing against Monterrey reflects the capabilities of the Whitecaps and sets the stage for what could be a notable season for them, as they continue to forge their identity on the continental soccer stage. With anticipation building for their upcoming matches, the team seems determined to defy expectations and solidify their place among the MLS elite.