Vancouver Whitecaps down C.S. Cartagines, advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup

By Canadian Press on February 25, 2026.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps are through to the second round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after beating Costa Rica’s C.S. Cartagines 2-0 on Wednesday.

The Major League Soccer club dominated play through much of the game, but struggled to break through until Kenji Cabrera booted a shot in the 58th minute.

Sebastian Berhalter gave the ‘Caps some breathing room with a goal in the 80th minute.

Vancouver won the opening round series 2-0 on aggregate after the two sides battled to a 0-0 draw in Cartago, Costa Rica, last Wednesday.

The ‘Caps will now face their regional rivals the Seattle Sounders in the round of 16.

Vancouver will host the first game on March 12 and the second game will go in Spokane, Wash., on March 18.

The Whitecaps’ domination started early on Wednesday, but the team struggled to finish its chances.

Homegrown midfielder Jeevan Badwal had a great chance in the 10th minute, blasting a shot off from the edge of the penalty area, only to see Cartagines defender Fernan Faeron get a leg on it inside the six-yard box, sending the ball over the net.

Striker Brian White came close in the 24th minute, too, but his right-footed attempt from in tight was blocked on the goal line by Carlos Barahona.

Cartagines goalkeeper Kevin Brinceno kept the score at 0-0 in the 36th minute, diving to make a last-second stop on a rocket from the foot of Emmanuel Sabbi.

Sabbi was cut down inside the penalty area three minutes later and referee Marco Ortiz pointed at the spot to signal a penalty kick.

A pack of Cartagines players appealed to him at the side of the area, but the official held fast.

White lined up for the kick and sent a rolling shot along the turf as Brinceno dove and got a touch on the ball, sending it just wide of the post.

Vancouver outshot the visitors 9-5 across the first half and held a 3-0 advantage in on-target shots.

The Whitecaps continued to press in the second half, bringing on Thomas Muller to add another offensive spark.

The German soccer legend came within inches in the 51st minute, jumping up inside the six-yard box for a header that hit the post.

The home side finally broke through in the 58th minute following a corner kick.

Berhalter swung the ball in and defender Tristan Blackmon jumped up to get a head on it, sending the ball toward the back post, where Cabrera booted it in to give the ‘Caps a 1-0 lead.

Cartagines nearly levelled the score in the 74th minute.

Whitecaps midfielder Edier Ocampo chopped down Suhander Zuniga at the corner of the penalty area, giving Cartagines an opportune free kick. Barahona chipped a ball up and over Vancouver’s wall and ‘Caps ‘keeper Yohei Takaoka came off his line to poke it away.

Berhalter doubled the lead in the 80th minute, but it took him two tries.

First, the American midfielder sent a blast sailing from the top of the penalty area, but the shot was blocked. Berhalter ran in after his own rebound and sent a second-chance shot in past Brinceno to give the ‘Caps a 2-0 cushion.

The Whitecaps will return to action on Saturday when they host Toronto FC in MLS play.