Vancouver Whitecaps draw 1-1 with Tigres in Concacaf Champions Cup

Vancouver Whitecaps FC drew 1-1 with Tigres UANL in the first-leg of of their Concacaf Champons Cup first round match at Starlight Stadium on Vancouver Island Wednesday.

The Whitecaps, 2023 Canadian Championship champions, and Tigres, of Mexico’s LigaMX, were hoping to make an impact in their first Champions Cup match up of 2024.

The game started slow – both teams a little unsure of each other siting back in their own half whilst in possession, neither team look too assured at the front.

Heading towards the 30-minute mark, the Whitecaps appeared to settle, their formation suddenly strong and the Caps started to have some control of the play, this may have been as a result of Coach Vanni Sartini’s energy on the touchline.

It didn’t take long for the Whitecaps to capitalize. Captain Ryan Gauld started to get more involved with the attacking play, feeding a high-ball from the wing for Brian White to head on, new signing Dimar Kreilach converts the first goal of the game.

Tigres stepped up the play after conceding, but were unable to penetrate.

In the 53^rd minute the Whitecaps thought their lead was doubled, after Brian White picked up a deflected ball, only for VAR to overturn for offside.

in the 88th minute Tigres were awarded a free-kick, just outside the Vancouver penalty area. Frenchman Andre-Pierre Gignac, struck a perfect shot into the top-right hand corner of the Vancouver goal, to tie the game 1-1.

The ‘Caps will next travel to Mexico for the return leg on Feb. 14, 2024.

Vancouver Whtiecaps draw 1-1 with Tigres in the first leg of their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup first round match at Starlight Stadium in Victoria, BC Wednesday Feb. 7. Photo: Hazel May/Total Soccer News