Doug McIntyre
Soccer journalist
Vancouver’s storybook in the Concacaf Champions Cup continues.
The WhiteCaps will take an aggregate 2-0 advantage return to Florida after closing Inter Miami and Lionel Messi on Thursday night in the first leg of the semifinal series of two teams of the teams.
The striker of the American male team Brian White scored in the first half for the Canadian club in front of an exhausted crowd of 53,837 in BC Place, with Sebastian Berhalter adding a second regular time of time.
The second decisive contest will be played at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on May 1 (7:30 pm et, FS1), with a place in the regional final against the winner of the other semi, between the Mexican sides Cruz Azul and Tigres, in the line.
Miami must win for at least two goals next Wednesday only to take the total earnings of house and house in extra time.
Game game
Vancouver wasted several early opportunities to take the lead in front of his local fans, but the WhiteCaps did not make any mistake in White’s account. He arrived following a quick counterattack and a cross by Pedro Vite:
Crucial moment
White’s strike was a prettier, Buthalter’s strike could end up determining the result. The former coach of USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter sealed the triumph of the ‘Caps in Thorsday by hitting a pass from the Canadian international Jayden Nelson to the roof of the Miami network.
Key statistics
Despite the 2-0 defeat, Miami dominated the ball all night. Visitors had a 69 percent possession and completed more than double passes than the hosts. Unfortunately for them, they could not yet violate the Vancouver background line, with Messi approaching closer to a shot in the first half through the traffic that went straight to the waiting arms of the goalkeeper of the Caps Yohei Takaoka.
What’s still for Inter Miami?
The 2,800 mile flight will seem even longer after giving up the late objective, and the necessary physical recovery after the trip and 90 minutes in the artificial grass field of Vancouver will not be easy for the 30-Sometets of Las Hermas and Luis Sowi Supeets.
Even so, Miami coach Javier Mascherano will surely rest the former Barcelona quartet for Sunday’s MLS against Dallas. And Inter are more than able to ensure at least one 2-0 victory at home next week.
What follows Vancouver?
First, WhiteCaps will perhaps celebrate the greatest victory in the history of the club. Then, coach Jesper Sorensen must quickly forward his team for the task that is coming next week; Like Mascherano, he will surely rest his usual customers for Sunday to Minnesota United.
After eliminating the enemies of Liga MX along the way on each of the last two rounds, the Canadians will not be afraid. If you can hook a crucial goal from outside early, Vancouver will be on their way to the final.
“We can’t get ahead of Ourelves,” Berhalter said later. “We have one more game … all that matters is that we win and move on to the final.”
Doug McIntyre is Fox Sports football reporter who has covered USA National teams for men and women in the world cups of FIFA on five continents. Follow it @Bydougmcintyre.
Get more from the Concacaf Champions Cup Follow your favorites to obtain information about games, news and more