Vancouver Whitecaps FC continue their 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League campaign on Tuesday night in Kansas City (5 p.m. PT on CONCACAF Facebook page) – and there’s a quarter-final berth on the line.
Here’s the situation:
The ‘Caps are in the Group C driver’s seat after the first two matches thanks to a 1-0 road win over Central FC and 3-0 home win over Sporting KC. Those two teams drew their first meeting last month, which gives Vancouver a five-point cushion atop the standings.
GROUP C STANDINGS
<strong>TEAM</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>D</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
<strong>PTS</strong> |
<p align="center">Whitecaps FC</p> |
<p align="center">2</p> |
<p align="center">2</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">+4</p> |
<p align="center">6</p> |
<p align="center">Sporting KC</p> |
<p align="center">2</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">-3</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">Central FC</p> |
<p align="center">2</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">-1</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
So about that quarter-final berth…
The ‘Caps will advance to the knockout rounds for the first time in club history with a win on Tuesday or in their group stage finale against Central FC on September 28 at BC Place.
Win and they’re in, as the old adage goes.
A draw on Tuesday would also put Vancouver in a very good position to move on. In that event, Sporting KC would be eliminated and Central FC would need to win both of their remaining matches (September 28 at BC Place and October 19 at Children’s Mercy Park) to have a shot.
Even then, it would come down to a tiebreaker between Central and Vancouver. The team with the greater goal difference in their two head-to-head matchups would advance (with away goals serving as the next tiebreaker as it would in a two-leg aggregate series).
Crazier things have happened, but you get the point.
We’ll have a much clearer idea of what needs to happen come Tuesday night, but the ‘Caps have given themselves a great opportunity either way.
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