Whitecaps Edge Pumas To Setup Semi with Inter Miami
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By Kaus Pandey
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Bullets:
- Vancouver Whitecaps qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw with Pumas UNAM.
- Tristan Blackmon’s clutch equalizer in stoppage time sealed the qualification at 2-2.
- Later this month, the Canadians will meet Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
The Vancouver Whitecaps have punched their ticket to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after edging past LIGA MX powerhouse Pumas UNAM.
The two sides drew 2-2 in the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday night.
The result led to a 3-3 aggregate score, which was just what the Whitecaps needed to carry on with their journey into the semifinals – in light of the goals scored away.
Excellent Backheel Goal from Berhalter
Sebastian Berhalter’s moment of brilliance in the 33rd minute gave the home soccer crowd reasons to cheer.
Daniel Rios slipped a clever pass into the box, where Berhalter, with his back to goal, pulled off a stunning backheel finish to beat Pumas keeper Alex Padilla.
That lead didn’t last long. Just minutes later, Pumas struck back from a corner. Whitecaps goalie Yohei Takaoka made a solid stop on Adalberto Carrasquilla, but the rebound fell right to Guillermo Martinez, who blasted it in from close range to make it 1-1.
From there, Pumas began to dictate the tempo. With Vancouver dealing with a number of injuries, the Mexican side tried to wear them down with wave after wave of pressure.
In the 88th minute, their persistence eventually paid off. Then, Ignacio Pussetto saw his header stopped by Takaoka but followed up and knocked the rebound off the crossbar.
This gave Pumas UNAM a 2-1 lead and what looked like a ticket to the semifinals.
However, Jesper Sorensen’s side weren’t done. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Edier Ocampo delivered a pinpoint cross into the box.
Blackmon: “We Knew It Was Going to Be a Battle”
Tristan Blackmon managed to drill a right-footed shot into the roof of the net to level the game at 2-2, giving Vancouver the edge it needed on away goals.
To be honest, we knew it was going to be a battle. But we weren’t going to go out without a fight
The Whitecaps are now preparing for a highly anticipated clash against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the semifinals later this month.
Miami booked their spot earlier on Wednesday, coming from behind for a 3-1 win over Los Angeles FC, with Messi bagging a pair of goals.
Before that, Vancouver will turn the focus back to MLS action as they are getting ready to host Austin FC on Saturday.
This is the Whitecaps’ first trip to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals since 2017.
Can the Whitecaps go all the way? Get the latest soccer odds with selected Canadian Sportsbooks.
