Tristan Blackmon of Vancouver Whitecaps celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal against Mexico’s Pumas during the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals in Mexico City on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eduardo Verdugo)
The Vancouver Whitecaps pulled off a thrilling escape on Wednesday night, advancing to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Pumas UNAM in Mexico City. Thanks to the away goals rule, the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, but it’s the Whitecaps who will now face Inter Miami in the next round.
Tristan Blackmon became the hero in stoppage time, slotting in the equalizer that sealed Vancouver’s place in the semifinals. The match was tense and gritty, with both sides exchanging blows and momentum-shifting throughout. The win marks a huge achievement for the Whitecaps, who are enjoying a surprising and powerful start to their season.
“It wasn’t the cleanest game, but we stuck with it,” said Blackmon. “We kept believing and kept pushing. That late goal meant everything.”
Vancouver will now host Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the first leg of the semifinals on April 23 or 24, with the second leg set for Florida between April 29 and May 1. Miami earned their spot after Messi’s two goals helped them overturn a deficit to beat LAFC 3-1.
The Whitecaps have impressed early in the MLS season as well. With five wins, one draw, and one loss so far, they’ve climbed to the top of the league table. Just last week, they beat Colorado Rapids 2-0, further proving their momentum isn’t a fluke.
Jesper Sorensen, who stepped in as head coach in January, couldn’t hide his excitement after Wednesday’s dramatic finish. “Being new to this team, this run has been surreal,” Sorensen said. “I’m just proud of everyone. So many people at this club have put in the work, and to reach this stage in the tournament is something special.”
The buildup to the quarterfinal was anything but easy. Due to a tight schedule, the Whitecaps weren’t able to train in Mexico City before the match. Sorensen noted how the altitude affected the team’s rhythm and the movement of the ball. Despite these challenges, the team dug deep.
“We didn’t play the way we wanted, but we held on,” Sorensen admitted. “Pumas were strong and really pushed us, but football is unpredictable. I’m happy with the result, though we know we have to improve.”
The Whitecaps opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Daniel Rios found Sebastian Berhalter in the box, who pulled off a clever backheel flick past Pumas goalkeeper Alex Padilla. Pumas struck back shortly after, capitalizing on a rebound from a corner to make it 1-1 through Guillermo Martinez.
The pressure stayed on the visitors for much of the game, especially in the second half. In the 88th minute, Pumas seemed to seal the win when Ignacio Pussetto scored off a rebound to take a 2-1 lead. But Vancouver wasn’t done.
With only minutes left, Edier Ocampo whipped in a cross that found Blackmon at the edge of the six-yard box. He struck cleanly into the top of the net, securing a 2-2 scoreline and sending the Whitecaps through thanks to their away goals.
“We didn’t have much time, so we just went for it,” Sorensen said. “Sometimes, you just need to believe and act—and our players did exactly that.”
Vancouver will now shift focus back to the MLS, with a home game against Austin FC set for Saturday.
