Vancouver Whitecaps FC will make history this coming Thursday, August 15 when they play in the first match ever in the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup, featuring the best clubs from across the region.
The ‘Caps are on the road, facing Alianza Women FC in the Preliminary Round at Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Kickoff is at 5 p.m. PT live on Concacaf YouTube or Concacaf GO.
What’s at stake?
The winner of this Preliminary Round match will advance to Group B, playing two matches away and two at home against the giants of Concacaf.
Away
- Wednesday, August 21 at Club América Femenil (Mexico) - Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes - 6 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, September 4 at Santa Fe FC (Panama) - Estadio Universitario - 5 p.m. PT
Home
- Tuesday, October 1 vs. San Diego Wave FC - location TBC - 5:30 p.m. PT
- Tuesday, October 15 vs. Portland Thorns FC - location TBC - 7 p.m. PT
This winner of the 2024-25 Concacaf W Champions Cup will qualify for the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup which will debut in early 2026.
How they got here?
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC League1 BC women’s team qualified as Canada’s representative by virtue of winning the 2023 League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship.
The young ‘Caps have been a force over the past three seasons. Despite featuring predominantly 16 and 17-year-olds, they have essentially won every competition they have played in, from League1 BC to winning the 2023 FIFA/Blue Stars Youth Cup.
However, this will prove to be the biggest test yet, as they now step onto the biggest stage against the best professional women’s teams in Concacaf.
The club will also be back in the next edition of the Concacaf W Champions Cup in 2024-25 after repeating as winners of the 2024 League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship.
Who are Alianza Women FC?
The below is from the match preview courtesy of League1 BC, which you can read more of HERE.
Alianza Women FC play in the top flight of women’s soccer in El Salvador. The championship is fought for twice every year with apertura (opening) and clausura (closing) seasons, and Alianza have won the title eight times, five more than any other team.
The women’s team, part of Alianza FC who were founded in 1958, were most recently crowned champions of the 2024 Clausura, following up their 2023 Apertura victory which was their first championship since 2021. They had previously won at least one title every year since 2017.
Also in 2024, Alianza Women finished as runners-up in the UNCAF Women’s Interclub Championship – exclusive to Central American teams. It was the club’s best-ever finish in the competition having finished third in 2018 and 2019.
