A place in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals is assured for an Major League Soccer club, as Inter Miami travels to face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the initial leg. These two prominent MLS sides will vie for a spot against either Tigres or Cruz Azul, having reached this stage through different paths. Miami`s reliance on star power, spearheaded by Lionel Messi, has been evident, but strong contributions from supporting players have also ensured victories even when the team isn`t performing at its peak.
Vancouver has contended with the absence of a key player, Ryan Gauld, due to injury. However, Brian White has been in exceptional form, scoring prolifically for the Whitecaps. With a total of nine goals across all competitions, his goalscoring exploits have even caught the attention of the United States men`s national team. Under the guidance of new manager Jesper Sorensen, Vancouver has demonstrated flexibility, which has yielded positive results, but they face their most significant test yet in this upcoming match.
Last Meeting
The teams have met just once previously, in May 2024, a game also hosted at Vancouver`s BC Place. Miami won that encounter 2-1. Notably, neither of Miami`s goal scorers from that match, Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana, are still with the club, while Vancouver`s lone scorer, Gauld, is currently sidelined with injury. Both teams have undergone substantial changes in just a year, seemingly for the better judging by their recent performance. Lionel Messi`s participation in this match immediately shifts the dynamic.
What the Coaches Are Saying
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, though new to Concacaf competitions, quickly grasped their significance, a fact evident in his emotional reaction to the comeback victory over Los Angeles FC that brought them here. He immediately characterized the game against Vancouver as crucial.
“This is a very important game for us, one of the most important in the history of the club,” Mascherano stated. “We have a 180-minute game [across the two legs] and Thursday is the first half. It is important that we play a good game and try to score as many goals as possible, because road goals are valuable in this competition. We want to have the ball, be protagonists.”
Winning this tournament represents a primary objective for Inter Miami this season. Given that away goals serve as a tiebreaker, achieving even a 1-1 draw in Vancouver would be a favorable outcome for Miami. Vancouver`s offense has been potent, scoring 17 goals this season, meaning Miami`s defense will face a challenging examination when playing away from home.
Can the Herons Reach the Top of Concacaf?
Historically, only one MLS team, the Seattle Sounders, has won this competition. While several MLS clubs have reached the final, the tournament has been largely dominated by Liga MX sides, who have secured 17 of the last 20 titles. Teams from Costa Rica won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005, and the Sounders triumphed in 2022, but other than these instances, Liga MX has consistently prevailed. However, MLS teams have appeared in the final in three of the last five editions, a trend that will continue this season, suggesting this year offers one of their best opportunities to claim Concacaf`s top club prize.
Predicted Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps:
Yohei Takaoka, Tate Johnson, Ranko Veselinovic, Tristan Blackmon, Edier Ocampo, Pedro Vite, Andres Cubas, Sebastian Berhalter, Ali Ahmed, Brian White, Emmanuel Sabbi
Inter Miami:
Oscar Ustari, Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Maximiliano Falcon, Lujan, Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi
Player to Watch
Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps: White is enjoying an outstanding season as Vancouver`s primary attacking threat, and his teammates consistently find him in dangerous positions. Renowned for his excellent heading ability in MLS, White will present a physical challenge to Miami`s defense. Containing him is paramount for Miami`s success. Noah Allen has had a strong defensive season, but this match represents a significant test for him and the rest of the backline. Even if White doesn`t score, his presence creates opportunities for others, requiring Miami to balance marking him closely with respecting Vancouver`s other attacking options.
Storyline to Watch
Will Sebastian Berhalter or Lionel Messi Dictate Midfield Tempo? It might seem counterintuitive, but Berhalter, alongside Vite, has enabled the Whitecaps to circulate the ball effectively, making it challenging for opponents like Miami to gain control. Sebastian Berhalter is forging his own path in soccer, separate from his father, Gregg Berhalter. Even coach Mascherano acknowledged his team`s need to control the pace of the game. Miami was fortunate to defeat the Columbus Crew after being outplayed in midfield; repeating that performance could easily lead to a loss in Vancouver.
Prediction
These two teams are difficult to separate. Both possess the capability to score at any moment but also demonstrate defensive competence. The performance of the goalkeepers will be crucial, as any amount of space given can be exploited by the attackers. Ultimately, the points are likely to be shared in Vancouver. Expect both main strikers, Brian White and Luis Suarez, to find the back of the net. Predicted Score: Vancouver Whitecaps 1, Inter Miami 1.
