A frustrating end in Monterrey
Vancouver had the numbers and still could not finish the job. The Whitecaps forced their Leagues Cup finale against Tigres UANL to a penalty shootout in Monterrey on Tuesday, played the closing stretch against nine men, and lost 5-4 from the spot. It capped a group stage without a single win.
Rodrigo Aguirre opened the scoring for the hosts in the 19th minute. Emmanuel Sabbi levelled it in the 80th, and the tie tilted late when Tigres had Diego Lainez and Nahuel Guzmán sent off. Two men down, the Liga MX side still held firm. Vancouver controlled 55 percent of possession and won five corners to two, yet Tigres carried the better of the chances and outshot the visitors 10-5.
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The shootout that got away
Juan Brunetta, Fernando Gorriarán, Rómulo Zwarg, Diego Sánchez and Joaquim Henrique all converted for Tigres. Ryan Gauld, Sabbi, Oliver Larraz and Edier Ocampo answered for Vancouver, and the Whitecaps briefly led 4-3. Then the wheels came off. Mathías Laborda, Ralph Priso and Rayan Elloumi missed three in a row, and the advantage was gone.
For a side built to win these moments, it was a strange way to fold. Vancouver reached the MLS Cup final last season before losing 3-1 to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, and they sit tied for first in the Western Conference with Los Angeles FC. The Leagues Cup, though, brought only defeats, with the shootout loss following home reverses of 3-1 to Juárez and 1-0 to Atlante.
What comes next
The tournament exit stings, but the calendar offers a quick reset. Vancouver is chasing a record fifth straight Voyageurs Cup as Canada’s champions and remains in the thick of the MLS playoff race. The Leagues Cup, which pits all 18 Liga MX clubs against 18 MLS sides, will roll on without them.
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