08/08/2024
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Pumas UNAM
The Leagues Cup continues with a home game against Pumas UNAM in the round of 32. The Caps will be looking to move on and play either Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy in the round of 16. Pumas come into this game having won 3 games in their domestic league and currently sitting in first place in Liga MX. This will be a good test for the Whitecaps, who have shown a new life over the last ten games with a record of 6 wins, two draws and two losses. Coach Dani Sartini will be making his return to the bench after his one game suspension.
The Whitecaps lined up in a 3-4-3 formation that shows on paper a more offensive minded lineup. A smaller crowd is trying to give the Caps a lift as their chants carries throughout the stadium. The Pumas fans are also making their presence felt with their own chorus in one corner of the stands. The game had a slow start with little to no chances on either goal. Some continuous pressure by the Caps gave them their first corner kick at the 12th minute mark. The Caps best chance came on a great cross from Picault that Johnson was able to connect from in-close but the Pumas netminder was able to save and gave up a corner in the 23rd minute of play. Levant Johnson was sent running on a semi breakaway, but the goalie was able to come up big again and stop the shot to send it out for yet another corner.
After 32 minutes of play the temperature of the game is heating up and possession is even. The referee is letting the play go on and not calling some of the 50/50 challenges. Caps Takaoka made two formidable saves to keep the score tied at 0.
From a steal in the 37th minute, Piero Quispe dribbled through and gave a pass to Cesar Huerta that sent a shot past the outstretched Takaoka and gave the Pumas the lead. One minute of added time was given but score at halftime remained Pumas 1 - Vancouver Whitecaps 0
The second half began with only one substitution by Pumas, in goes Noises Rivas for Angel Rico. Caps Bryan White had a great chance in close but was unable to get a hard shot past the Pumas keeper. After a quick counter by Pumas in the 56th minute, Cesar Huerta ventured onto the penalty area and sent a low cross that was beautifully redirected by Jorge Ruvalcaba to give the Pumas a 2-0 lead.
Changes for the Whitecaps, Raposo and Adekugbe will come in for Johnson and Berhalter at the 62nd minute. Fafa Picault received a yellow card for a strong foul. Another change comes for the Caps, in goes Schopf for Veselinovic. The Whitecaps are on the attack but Raposo, with a hard shot from in-close, was again unable to beat the Pumas keeper Gonzalez. Utvik and Picault have been replaced by Bovalina and Kreilach. An all-out attack is coming, but with 10 minutes left in the game, it looks very difficult for the Caps to make a game of it. Gonzalez made yet another save to maintain a clean sheet. A lack of finish has cost the Whitecaps, along with the chance to move forward in this Cup.
After an extra 4 minutes of play, the score remained, Pumas 2 – Whitecaps 0
It was a disappointing end to this campaign but now they can concentrate on the task at hand, by securing a spot in the MLS Playoffs. The small crowd of 9,691 spectators are leaving with a bad taste in their mouths and will look for redemption when the Caps are back on the field at BC Place on Saturday August 24 against LAFC, a 4:30pm start.
Carlos Parra✍️ for UnderDog Productions
Photo📸Credit Vancouver Whitecaps FC
