The Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Deportivo Saprissa at home in Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup, securing a 2-legged series with Liga MX giants CF Monterrey in the Round of 16.

While it wasn’t an easy task, the Canadian side dominated throughout the 90 minutes, with the visitors’ chances coming mostly from mistakes.

Vancouver head coach Jesper Sørensen made some surprising moves to the XI, taking off star Ryan Gauld, Andrés Cuba, and Ranko Veselinovic from the lineup that convincingly beat Portland 4-1 over the weekend. Instead, Sørensen opted for Ralph Priso, Bjørn Utvik, and Ali Ahmed.

In the first half, Vancouver kept creating chance after chance.

Ali Ahmed found himself in a one-on-one from a tight angle but couldn't get a shot off due to great defending.

Just a minute later, Sam Adekugbe attempted a low cross to Brian White, but a deflection left the ball at Ahmed’s feet with a wide-open net—unfortunately, he sent it wide.

The first 45 minutes ended goalless.

Not even a minute into the second half, Jayden Nelson sent a brilliant cross to Brian White, who headed it past Saprissa goalkeeper Estaban Alvarado to put the Whitecaps ahead after a frustrating first half.

GOAL ???

Jayden Nelson picks out Brian White in the box with a perfect cross and the striker applies the headed finish to tie this series 2-2 on aggregate – and give #VWFC the away-goal advantage ??

?? Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/BDUIbaSZ7D

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) February 28, 2025

Vancouver kept dominating possession and the chances.

White, the goalscorer, found himself right on the goal line to the right of the net and attempted a low cross to find anyone in a black jersey, but to no success.

In the 75th minute, the visitors had their first real chance of the game, with captain Mariano Torres sending a delightful cross into the back post, tricking Yohei Takaoka and hitting the woodwork.

In the 85 minute, former Vancouver captain Kendall Waston headed the ball from a corner and hit the post.

At the absolute death of the match, Brian White pounced on a rebound after a free-kick, doubling the 'Caps' lead.

GOAL ??????

BRIAN WHITE makes it 2-0 for the Vancouver Whitecaps over Saprissa, getting on the end of a rebound from a Ryan Gauld free kick – can #VWFC hold on and secure the 3-2 agg. win? ??

?? Watch #ConcaChampions on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/ExwAPCBldV

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) February 28, 2025

With this victory, Vancouver secured their spot in the round of 16, where they'll meet Monterrey in a two-legged series across the first couple weeks of March.