VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC kickoff their Concacaf Champions League campaign in the Round of 16 as they host Honduran side Real CD España in the first leg this Wednesday, March 8 at BC Place.
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Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Real CD España
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – 7 p.m. PT
BC Place – Vancouver, BC
BROADCAST: TELUS Channel 980, OneSoccer, Fubo TV
WEEKLY STORYLINES
BACK IN CCL: For the third time in the club’s history, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be competing in the Concacaf Champions League, the regional tournament to crown the best club in North American, Central American and the Caribbean. The last time the ‘Caps participated was during the 2016/17 edition of the tournament, reaching the semifinals and losing out to eventual runners-up in LIGA MX side Tigres UANL. On Wednesday, the Blue and White will face off against Honduran side Real CD España, who currently sit fifth in the Liga Nacional table. It won’t be the first time the ‘Caps face a team from Honduras, as they previously played CD Olimpia during the group stage of the 2015/16 tournament.
CCL EXPERIENCE: The 'Caps roster features several players with past experience in the Concacaf Champions League. Captain Russell Teibert is the lone member of the group who has previously played in the tournament with the 'Caps, starting six of his seven appearances during the 15/16 and 16/17 editions. Meanwhile, defender Tristan Blackmon came close to winning the tournament in 2020 as a member of Los Angeles FC but narrowly lost out to Tigres UANL. Midfielder Julian Gressel also played in the tournament that same year with Atlanta United FC, scoring a pair of goals as the club reached the quarterfinals. In 2019, forward Brian White played a Champions League match with the New York Red Bulls, coming in as a substitute against Dominican side Atletico Pantoja.
WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORT: On Saturday, prior to the 'Caps MLS match against FC Dallas, several activations will take place to celebrate the club's second annual Women and Girls in Sport match. The South Sisters will be hosting a Women's Soccer Rally at the Ox Pub on Granville Street starting at 11 a.m. PT. Whitecaps FC club reporter Sarita Patel and general manager of women's soccer Stephanie Labbé will be joining the supporters group to talk Women & Girls in Sport and the women's professional soccer league which is set to launch in 2025.
