This article is also available in French.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Pumas UNAM Preview
The Vancouver Whitecaps welcome Pumas UNAM to BC Place on August 7 as both teams begin their paths to the Leagues Cup final. Vancouver has never reached beyond the round of 32, and now they have the perfect chance.
The Caps topped group West 7 impressively and are in excellent form. Pumas squeezed out of West 1, having lost to Austin and drawn to Monterrey. None of that matters from this stage, as one poor result will mark the end of the tournament. Can UNAM overcome Vanni Sartini’s side or will Vancouver make their best-ever Leagues Cup finish a certainty?
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Pumas UNAM Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been strong in the MLS this season. Vanni Sartini’s team sits 5th on 38 points in the highly competitive Western Conference. The Caps have only lost one in their last eight games.
Vancouver was drawn against Club Tijuana and Los Angeles FC in West 7 of the Leagues Cup. The Caps came through unscathed. They topped the group with five points after squeezing past LAFC on penalties and defeating Tijuana at BC Place to reach the round of 32.
Pumas UNAM has been one of the strongest teams in the Liga MX so far. They are second in the Apertura on 10 points. UNAM is undefeated in the league and level on points with first-placed Cruz Azul, only separated by goal difference. Gustavo Lema’s team has not been as strong in the Leagues Cup. They finished second in West 1 after a defeat to Austin FC in the opener before edging past Monterrey on penalties.
That victory over Monterrey was against the run of play. Monterrey dominated from the first whistle. Rayados frequently found joy down both wings, overwhelming Pumas. A strong first-half showing from Julio Gonzalez and some poor finishing from Monterrey kept the first half scoreless.
Monterrey came out from the break where they left off. Gonzalez misjudged a cross from the right in the 52nd minute, missing the ball and allowing it to land at the feet of Jesús Corona. The winger fired into an open net to put the hosts up 1-0.
Fernando Ortiz’s team dominated much of the half but could not find a way past Gonzalez a second time. Pumas found a rare opportunity to go forward in the 80th minute and pounced. Esteban Andrada misjudged Robert Ergas’ cross, allowing Rogelio Funes Mori to head in a late equalizer.
Gonzalez’s heroics in goal continued in the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to hand Pumas an unlikely victory. UNAM finished with just 37% possession and six shots compared to Monterrey’s 63% and 19 shots with nine on target.
Vancouver most recently faced Club Tijuana in their final group game of the Leagues Cup. Tijuana flew out of the gates, scoring an opener in the 8th minute following Kevin Castaned’s powerful, low shot. Los Xolos had the lions-share of possession in the first half, but only one goal separated the sides at the break.
The Caps came out with a more attacking edge in the second half. Fafà Picault struck early after Levonte Johnson played him through in the 18-yard box. He took the chance in the 49th minute to level the game.
Levonte Johnson found the ball from 25 yards out after a formidable Vancouver press. His low, curling effort rolled past Jose Corona in the 77th minute to put them ahead. The referee showed Aaron Mejia a straight red for denying a goalscoring opportunity four minutes later, taking the Caps to victory. Pedro Vite buried a smart effort from range in the 83rd minute to seal a 3-1 win for Vancouver at BC Place.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Pumas UNAM Predictions
Correct score prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Pumas UNAM
This will be a competitive game between two strong teams. UNAM did not finish as strongly as Vancouver in the group stages but faced stronger opposition. They are undefeated in Liga MX, but this is knockout soccer. Vancouver has played excellently in the MLS in 2024. Sartini’s style of soccer has the Caps firing. They have lost just once in their last nine games and have the home advantage in this game. Our soccer prediction is for Vancouver to edge out Pumas in the round of 32.
Vancouver’s pressing game was on full show against Club Tijuana. The goal that put them ahead came after winning the ball back high up the field and Mejia’s red card came from the same situation. Sartini has marshalled his side to trigger the press perfectly. This has allowed the Caps to win games even when losing the battle for possession, as they did in their previous match.
The Caps’ 3-4-3 formation allows their trio of frontmen to keep the opposition defence boxed in when on the ball. This either forces midfielders and attackers to drop deeper to receive the ball to feet or the defenders to play riskier passes or clear the ball and turn over possession.
Ralph Priso, Levonte Johnson, Pedro Vite, and Andres Cubas are excellent options in midfield. Their work in the press makes the Vancouver offence tick. High energy levels and excellent awareness are why they suit Sartini’s style of soccer.
Vancouver boasts several players capable of scoring. Striker Brian White tops their scoring charts with 12 goals in 22 starts. Midfielder Ryan Gauld has nine and forward Fafà Picault has netted eight times. Gauld has been in spectacular form, chipping in with nine assists. The Caps have a wealth of attacking players and they can put Pumas to the sword.
White-Gauld ☕️☕️☕️ pic.twitter.com/C1GU4Lmnxn
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) July 15, 2024
UNAM has several dangerous attackers and Vancouver must keep them quiet. Cesar Huerta is one of the best dribblers in the Liga MX and has chipped in with two goals so far this campaign. While the Caps are strong going forward, their three-man defence can suffer from their high press. Huerta’s ability on the ball paired with his pace makes him a threat on the counter.
Jorge Ruvalcaba is just as good an option for UNAM on the opposite wing. He also has two goals in Pumas’ first four games. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs into the box pose a real problem for Vancouver’s three-man defence. They must adapt to avoid crashing out of the competition.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Pumas UNAM Betting Tips
The moneyline in this fixture will be tight at our online bookmaker. They are both in excellent form in the league and have done well to reach the round of 32 in challenging groups. We may see both teams open as plus money. With the home advantage and coming off an excellent attacking showing in their previous game, we like a bet on Vancouver to win.
Brian White is Vancouver’s dangerman going forward with 12 goals in the MLS this season. Leagues Cup betting will look favourably on him scoring in this game. Bet on White to score anytime for a good chance at plus money. You can even combine this market with a few others in a same game parlay.
You can also look at player prop bets for this game. If White scoring is a little too far out, you can bet on the striker to register a shot on target with our online sportsbook. He has had at least one shot on target in three of his last four games.
Live betting is an option for this game. With both teams close in quality, this is likely to be tight. An in-play bet on a draw could be a good move. Wait for the game to begin and assess how both teams are playing before deciding.
With the game tightly contested, we expect chances for both teams. Vancouver’s high-octane attacking style leaves them susceptible to fast breaks. We like a soccer bet on both teams to score. Vancouver has conceded in eight of their previous nine games and Pumas has conceded in all but one of their fixtures this season.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Team News
Triston Blackmon won’t return until late August with a groin injury. Mathias Laborda is out of action for even longer thanks to an ankle injury. Pedro Vite came off the bench against Tijuana following his hip injury and is available to start. Luis Martins has returned to training, but a start seems unlikely. He suffered a heel injury but could appear in the squad for the first time since the game against Houston on July 20. Ryan Gauld is available following a knee injury in that same game.
- Predicted lineup: Takaoka, Laborda, Halbouni, Utvik, Berhalter, Vite, Cubas, Schopf, Picault, White, and Gauld.
Pumas UNAM Team News
Ricardo Galindo has a long way to go before he recovers from a groin injury. His estimated return date is mid-September. There are otherwise no injury or suspension worries for Pumas. Lema could opt for Rogelio Funes Mori as the lone striker, following his goal off the bench against Monterrey.
- Predicted lineup: Gonzalez, Bennevendo, Silva, Magallan, Duarte, Rivas, Caicedo, Ruvalcaba, Pussetto, Huerta, and Funes Mori.
