The Vancouver Whitecaps began their 2025 season in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Sure it is a destination for vacationers, but this was all business. After weeks of preparation, the curtains have risen. What a way to begin the season, a first-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup First Round match against Saprissa. They have already played nine games in the Costa Rican league.
This is also the first official match for new head coach Jesper Sørensen and he started with a 4-3-3.
While it was the first game of the season and with a new head coach, this was a brutal and disappointing loss.
First half: A bit rusty but decent
Under Vanni Sartini, the Whitecaps were never known for their possession. But Vancouver dominated possession for the first 25 or so minutes and ended the half with 57%.
There was a bit of nervy moments from Saprissa, especially from former Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston. Fortunately for the Whitecaps, Saprissa only managed two shots on target that weren’t too hard for Yohei Takaoka to handle.
The Whitecaps looked dangerous on the transition and did a good job creating space in the box. However, no one could get on the balls delivered by Ryan Gauld.
Speaking of Gauld, he picked off where he left off in 2024. This was a great transition goal after the Whitecaps managed to gain possession in the midfield and Ahmed did a good job finding Gauld. The Flying Scotsman’s shot was picture-perfect.
Ahmed looked more comfortable on the wing and made good runs and passes. His skill was put on display and he even scored a beautiful solo goal late in the first half but couldn’t get a good shot off.
The player who stood out? JC Ngando.The Cameroonian midfielder’s progressive passes were sharp as well as his ability to win the ball back. After spending last season on loan with Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship, he is one to watch this season. It was only one half in a young season, but there is clearly some upside.
Second half: Turned off
The Whitecaps played the second half on autopilot and it cost them.
Once again, they had trouble creating chances from possession and barely tested Saprissa goalkeeper Esteban Alverado. The passes were also really sloppy and Saprissa looked more dangerous on their transitions.
The Costa Rican side did get the equalizer courtesy of this screamer from Mariano Torres.
The defending looked very chaotic as well. Saprissa was buzzing around the Whitecaps box.
Vancouver did have a few chances, most notably Mathias Laborda’s missed header after the equalizer by Torres. White also missed timed his headers and there were instances where a shot could’ve happened instead of a pass, or the shots were blocked.
Gauld and Andres Cubas were subbed off in the 73rd minute so they can rest for the opening game of the MLS season. But the subs did not step up. Ralph Priso, Jayden Nelson and Pedro Vite did not do much to impact the game. However, Vite had one chance late but he sent it to row Z.
In the end, the Whitecaps cost themselves with their poor final third play and sloppy defence. Getting too complacent with the away goal was an idea that failed.
Ariel Rodriguez made the pay. Vancouver just turned into statues as Saprissa got a stoppage-time winner.
It’s early, but this one hurts. However, Whitecaps fans are numb to that already.
Stat of the match
According to FotMob, Ngando had six passes into the final third. That was the second most on Vancouver behind Sam Adekugbe’s nine.
Up Next
Thankfully, it is only the first game of the season. It’s better to have this type of game now than later. Plus, the Whitecaps have that away goal, so they are technically tied with Saprissa. But the Whitecaps don’t have much time to dwell on this loss as they open their MLS campaign in Portland against the Timbers on Sunday. Kickoff is at 2 pm Pacific.
The return leg against Saprissa will be at BC Place on Thursday. Kickoff for that is at 7 pm Pacific.
