Whitecaps drop second Leagues Cup match

Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 FC Juarez

VANCOUVER, BC–Vancouver Whitecaps’ hopes in Leagues Cup are all but over after dropping a 3-1 decision to Liga MX side FC Juarez at BC Place. Despite 62% possession and outshooting Juarez, 27-6 (9-4 in shots on target), the three points would go the way of the Mexican side.

It started brightly for the Whitecaps when Edier Ocampo laid a ball off for Jeevan Badwal to finish in the 12th minute to put the hosts ahead. However, FC Juarez would equalize in the 34th minute as Jairo Torres sent a thru-ball to Ettson Ayon who roofed it into the net past Issac Boehmer.

The Whitecaps had numerous chances to go back ahead, but were stymied by the Juarez defense and Sebastian Jurado, and/or going wide of target. FC Juarez ended up taking advantage in the 74th minute after a turnover in midfield turned into Denzell Garcia sending a ball to Oscar Estupinan who got in behind the Vancouver defense and scored to make it 2-1.

The Whitecaps pressed for an equalizer, but Ricardinho would put the match away deep into stoppage time as an errant throw-in allowed him to chip Boehmer who was well off his line.

The Whitecaps will conclude Leagues Cup play on Tuesday at Tigres (7pm PT, Apple TV), while FC Juarez, who currently top the Liga MX side of the Phase One table, will look to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals when they play Real Salt Lake (6:30pm PT, Apple TV).

Photos by Gerrit te Hennepe