The Vancouver Whitecaps made history this week in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final when they defeated Inter Miami in dominating fashion.
Vancouver has never won the Champions Cup, let alone made it to the Championship Round; the Whitecaps’ biggest accomplishment as a club is winning the Canadian Championship.
Making it to the semi-finals was an accomplishment in itself. Knowing the steep challenge of facing Miami, just competing would have earned the Whitecaps the respect of MLS fans everywhere.
This season has started well within MLS play, thanks to the rise of multiple stars stepping into bigger roles. Vancouver believed they could make an impactful run in this competition.
The Rise of Seb Berhalter
Seb Berhalter (The Son of Chicago Fire Coach Gregg Berhalter) has been one of the most impactful Midfielders in the MLS. Berhalters’ three goals and 2 assists in Champions Cup play have lifted his side to new heights.
The former Columbus Crew and Austin FC Midfielder has been extremely accurate with a passing accuracy percentage of 82.2 percent, which makes Berhalter one of the best passers in the MLS.
Berhalter’s positioning has been a key for the Whitecaps, They play him high up on the offensive end as a midfielder. This allows the offensive attack to move through Berhalter and shift the defensive shape with his passing and positioning.
Berhalter’s rise to stardom has earned a call-up to the USMNT and could pencil him in for the World Cup on American soil in a year. This second-generation MLS has become a household name for Vancouver fans, he is not all Whitecap player to become a household name.
A Two-Headed Monster with Brian White
Forward Brian White has been a huge benefactor to Berhalters passing, six goals in the Champions Cup have turned the 29-year-old into a stat sheet stuffer in the goal category.
White has been solid in MLS play, earning his reputation as a big-time performer after his standout performance in both Leg’s against Inter Miami. White broke the ice for the Whitecaps in both games.
In MLS play, the Forward is averaging two goals per game, which is an unreal stat for any goal scorer at any level. If White can keep up this pace, he will not only have a career year but also lead the Whitecaps to more than one trophy this season.
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The Dismantling of International Stars
Vancouver’s youth showed in both Legs against Inter Miami, outlasting the stars with dominant ball control and strategic movement. Messi, Busquets, and Suarez appeared exhausted and slowed down as the games went on.
The back line for Miami, which is considered the weakest unit on the squad, failed to rise to the moment, giving up five goals in two games against Vancouver. They failed to keep up with the speed and youth of the Canadian side as Berhalter dictated the game in any way that he pleased.
Miami fans will consider this a great disappointment as they were the favorites to represent the MLS in the Champions Cup final in what could have possibly been their third cup in three years.
One Final Mission
Vancouver will conclude the Champions Cup on June 1st against the Mexican representative, Cruz Azul. These Clubs have never faced off before, making the Champions Cup final the first meeting ever.
Unlike Vancouver, Cruz Azul has not just been to the Champions Cup final before but has won the competition four times in its history. Their most recent victory was in 2014, despite their most recent appearance being in 2016, where they lost to Pachuca.
Vancouver will have the odds against them going up against a club with historical success, as the entire MLS world watches and waits to see if the little engine that could can pull off one more tremendous victory.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date 02.05.2025