pumas – whitecaps
On April 10, 2025, Vancouver Whitecaps FC hosted Pumas UNAM at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the Leagues Cup Round of 32. The match concluded with Pumas UNAM securing a 2-0 victory, thereby advancing to the Round of 16 and ending the Whitecaps’ journey in the tournament.
Match Overview
The game commenced with both teams displaying attacking intent. In the early minutes, Pumas’ César Huerta drilled a shot wide of the post, while the Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter made a notable move around a defender but saw his shot sail over the net.
A pivotal moment occurred in the 24th minute when Whitecaps forward Fafa Picault delivered a precise cross into the box. Levonte Johnson connected with a right-footed volley, but Pumas’ goalkeeper Julio González made an exceptional save, keeping the score level.
Pumas broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Midfielder Piero Quispe intercepted the ball from a Vancouver defender, maneuvered across the field, and set up César Huerta. Huerta’s left-footed shot navigated through traffic and found the far corner of the net, giving Pumas a 1-0 lead.
The second goal came in the 57th minute. Huerta played the ball to defender Rubén Duarte, who then provided a cross into the center of the box. Jorge Ruvalcaba capitalized on the delivery, scoring with a right-footed shot to double Pumas’ advantage.
Despite efforts to mount a comeback, including a close-range shot by Ryan Raposo in the 77th minute that was saved by González, the Whitecaps were unable to alter the scoreline. The match concluded with Pumas UNAM emerging victorious with a 2-0 score.
Statistical Highlights
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Possession: Vancouver Whitecaps held 58.6% of possession, while Pumas UNAM had 41.4%.
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Shots: Both teams registered nine shots each.
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Shots on Goal: Each side managed five shots on target.
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Saves: Whitecaps’ goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka made three saves, while Pumas’ Julio González recorded five.
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Fouls: Vancouver committed nine fouls compared to Pumas’ twelve.
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Corner Kicks: The Whitecaps earned five corners, whereas Pumas had three.
Team Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps FC:
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Starting XI: Yohei Takaoka; Mathías Laborda, Ranko Veselinović (substituted by Alessandro Schöpf in the 71st minute), Bjørn Inge Utvik (substituted by Giuseppe Bovalina in the 82nd minute); Ali Ahmed, Pedro Vite, Andrés Cubas (captain), Sebastian Berhalter; Fafa Picault (substituted by Damir Kreilach in the 82nd minute), Brian White, Levonte Johnson (substituted by Sam Adekugbe in the 62nd minute).
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Substitutes Not Used: Isaac Boehmer, Joe Bendik, Tristan Blackmon, Ralph Priso, Ryan Gauld, Finn Linder.
Pumas UNAM:
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Starting XI: Julio González; Pablo Bennevendo, Nathan Silva, Rubén Duarte, Lisandro Magallán; Pedro Quispe (substituted by Santiago Trigos in the 79th minute), José Caicedo; Jorge Ruvalcaba (substituted by Robert Ergas in the 68th minute), Ignacio Pussetto (substituted by Guillermo Martínez in the 68th minute), César Huerta (substituted by Rogelio Funes Mori in the 85th minute), Ángel Rico (substituted by Ulises Rivas at halftime).
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Substitutes Not Used: Gil Alcalá, Rodrigo López, Pablo Monroy, Jesús Rivas, Ali Avila, Michell Rodríguez, Carlos Garcia Peralta.
Post-Match Reactions
The defeat was a setback for the Whitecaps, who had shown promise in the group stages, notably with a 3-1 victory over Club Tijuana. Head coach Vanni Sartini acknowledged the team’s efforts but emphasized the need for greater efficiency in converting scoring opportunities. He praised Pumas’ defensive organization and clinical finishing, noting that these elements were decisive in the outcome.
Pumas UNAM’s head coach, Efraín Juárez, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their disciplined defensive play and ability to capitalize on key moments. He commended the players for executing the game plan effectively and looked forward to building on this success in the subsequent rounds.
Implications and Next Steps
With this victory, Pumas UNAM advanced to the Round of 16 in the Leagues Cup, where they were scheduled to face the winner of the LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC match. The team aimed to continue their strong form and make a deep run in the