Vancouver Whitecaps FC will face Fuerza Naranja (Mexico), Herediano (Costa Rica), and fellow MLS side Chicago Fire (USA) this summer in Group D of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Under-13 Champions League, CONCACAF announced today at the draw held in Miami, Florida.
The event sorted 16 clubs – up from eight in previous years – representing 10 CONCACAF nations, into four groups of four for round-robin play. The third edition of this event will be played at the new facilities of the Mexican Football Federation in Toluca from August 5-12.
This is the second straight year Whitecaps FC will be sending a U-13 Residency team to the CONCACAF Under-13 Champions League, an annual tournament featuring some of the best youth teams across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean in that age group.
Last year, the U-13s dropped their opening matches to Comunicaciones FC (Guatemala) and L.D. Alajuelense (Costa Rica) before defeating Menor Tijuana (Mexico) in their group stage finale.
The ‘Caps first team is coming off a historic run to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals at the senior level. Whitecaps FC were eliminated by reigning Mexican champions Tigres UANL, who will face fellow Mexican side CF Pachuca in the second leg of the final on Wednesday night.
Scotiabank CONCACAF Under-13 Champions League 2017 Groups
Group A
Liga Municipal Boca del Rio (Mexico)
Honduras Representative (TBD by June 11)
Portmore United FC (Jamaica)
Panama Representative (TBD by April 30)
Group B
Universidad Cantera Norte (Mexico)
Santa Ana (El Salvador)
Toronto FC (Canada)
Real Esteli (Nicaragua)
Group C
Pioneros Cancún (Mexico)
Trinidad & Tobago Representative (TBD by June 11)
Alajuelense (Costa Rica)
San Salvador (El Salvador)
Group D
Fuerza Naranja (Mexico)
Herediano (Costa Rica)
Chicago Fire (USA)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Canada)
For more information on the Whitecaps FC Residency program, visit whitecapsfc.com/residency.
