Vancouver Whitecaps suffer blowout 5-0 defeat at CONCACAF Champions Cup
The Vancouver Whitecaps fell short in their quest to become the first Canadian team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Sunday. Cruz Azul dominated the match, securing a 5-0 victory to claim their seventh CONCACAF title. Ángel Sepúlveda was the star of the show, scoring twice and finishing the tournament with a remarkable nine goals. Ignacio Rivero, Lorenzo Faravelli, and Mateusz Bogusz also found the back of the net for Cruz Azul, who established a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime.
This victory saw Cruz Azul equaling crosstown rivals Club America for the most titles in the tournament. It marked Cruz Azul’s first triumph since the 2013-14 season when they defeated Tijuana. The Whitecaps, representing Major League Soccer, had high hopes of emulating the success of the Seattle Sounders in 2022, but they were unable to overcome the dominance of Cruz Azul.
Cruz Azul wasted no time in asserting their authority, with four shots on goal in the first half, all of which found the back of the net. The Whitecaps struggled to contain their opponents, with defensive lapses leading to goals from Rivero, Faravelli, and Sepúlveda in the first half. Bogusz added a fourth just before halftime, leaving the Whitecaps with a mountain to climb in the second half.
Sepúlveda continued his stellar performance with a header in the 50th minute, further extending Cruz Azul’s lead. Goalkeeper Kevin Mier kept a clean sheet for Cruz Azul, as the Whitecaps failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match. The absence of Sebastian Berhalter, who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation, was a significant blow for the Whitecaps, who were also missing captain Ryan Gauld due to injury.
Despite their disappointment, the Whitecaps expressed gratitude to their fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. They now turn their focus to the MLS, aiming to regroup and bounce back from this defeat. Cruz Azul, on the other hand, celebrated their impressive victory and look forward to defending their title in the future.
