The Vancouver Whitecaps are going to be playing in the biggest match in the history of the club when they take on Cruz Azul in the Concacaf Champions Cup final on Sunday night. Vancouver is entering the match riding a 15-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
A Vancouver victory and the Whitecaps would become the first Canadian MLS team to win the Concacaf Champions Cup and just the second MLS team to accomplish this feat.
But it won’t be easy trying to win at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City.
Watch what you eat
This will be the Whitecaps’ third trip to Mexico during the tournament and they’ll be on the lookout for any underhanded tactics.
Multiple players on the Columbus Crew were mysteriously struck with a stomach illness believed to be food poisoning before the 2024 final. They went on to lose 3-0.
The Whitecaps have reached out to the Crew for advice, and have sent down two staff members on Thursday to help with preparations.
“We’re very confident that our setup is good,” Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster told Offside. “Nothing will get in our way to play with the best performance on Sunday.”
Soccer-mad fans in Mexico have been known to do things to get opponents off their game, whether that means playing loud music outside the team hotel or pulling the fire alarm in the middle of the night.
“I don’t know if we can really prepare for fire alarms being pulled,” added Whitecaps striker Brian White. “I guess you could put Marty (Marty McDermott the head manager of equipment operations) out there. These things happen and it’s a difficult environment to go and play.
“Things aren’t always going to go in your favour. We have to keep our heads, stay calm, and cool.”
Concacaf tomfoolery
There’s always some tomfoolery in a Concacaf match. Whether it’s players rolling around on the pitch trying to earn a call, a referee missing a rash challenge, or a handball. Calls sometimes get missed. The Whitecaps will try to avoid getting drawn into any wasteful tactics.
“You have to be prepared for it,” Schuster said. “You have to know as a player also on the pitch that you don’t get out of your concept, that’s what they do. I really believe that a referee is not changing their opinion after making the call just because a player has run up to them.”
Adekugbe has played all over the world and experienced all types of shenanigans. It’s all about keeping your cool and rising above what your opponent is trying to do.
“We know that Concacaf obviously has a lot of tomfoolery,” said Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe. “We’ll be wise with it.”
Millions of dollars on the line for the Whitecaps
A Vancouver win would see the club earn a berth in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup as well as a spot in the 2025 Intercontinental Cup, which will be played this fall. The Whitecaps would play a Conmebol representative in the Derby of the Americas at a neutral venue.
The Seattle Sounders will receive at least $10 million for participating in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. How much could Vancouver stand to receive?
“It might be a disappointing answer because I cannot share,” Schuster said. “FIFA hasn’t released the financials for the World Cup in 2029. It definitely does come with a financial benefit, but it also comes with a financial bonus for the players. It’s absolutely a positive regardless of what the final amount is.”
A spot in the 2025 Intercontinental Cup would put the Whitecaps on a stage featuring the 2025 UEFA Champions League winner, Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Milan.
“When you look at the Club World Cup, you see some of the biggest clubs in the world,” Adekugbe said. “Of course you want to be a part of it, but you take it one game at a time and that starts on Sunday.”
Vancouver fan support
Vancouver fans have supported the club throughout their Concacaf journey and that will be no different on Sunday. There will be a sold-out viewing party with 2,500 fans on the Terry Fox Plaza. Over 700 Whitecaps fans have travelled to Mexico City to support the team.
“Yeah it’s amazing,” said Adekugbe. “The fans have been with us throughout the whole season and they know the work we’ve put in. Now we’re obviously looking to make it enjoyable for them.”
Members of the Whitecaps supporter groups were in attendance on Friday at the National Soccer Development Centre to wish the team good luck before they travelled to Mexico.
“It’s awesome,” White said. “They had that Tifo at the game. We know how much that means to them. The support from them means the world to us. To know that there’s going to be travelling fans, a big party here for the game. Hopefully we can put on a good performance for them and bring the trophy home.”