Following their 2-0 victory (3-2 on aggregate) over Deportivo Saprissa in leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup preliminary round, the Vancouver Whitecaps secured their spot in the round of 16, where they’re set to clash with Liga MX giants C.F. Monterrey.
It will be the first matchup between both sides.
The first leg will take place on March 5 at BC Place in Vancouver, with the second leg set for seven days later at Estadio Corona in Torreón, Mexico.
The Mexicans won't be able to host their home leg at their usual stadium, Estadio BBVA, due to a Shakira concert.
The Whitecaps qualified after edging out Costa Rican side Saprissa on away goals, with the aggregate score tied at 2-2.
Monterrey, meanwhile, advanced comfortably, eliminating Canadian Premier League side Forge with a dominant 5-0 aggregate victory.
This won’t be Vancouver’s first encounter with a Mexican team in the Champions Cup, as they previously faced Tigres in the 2024 edition, falling 4-1 on aggregate in the first round.
The Whitecaps have yet to defeat a Mexican team in the tournament, with their only win against a Mexican side across all competitions coming in the 2024 Leagues Cup when they beat Tijuana.
