League Cup Round of 32 action begins this week as the Vancouver Whitecaps take on Liga MX's Pumas UNAM at BC Place.
The Whitecaps secured their place in the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup after securing three points against Club Tijuana and a penalty shootout win over Western Conference rivals LAFC. Not many predicted that Vancouver would finish top of West Group 7, but Vanni Sartini's team escaped the group unscathed.
On the other hand, Pumas started their League Cup campaign with a 3-2 defeat against MLS club Austin FC. However, the Mexican outfit faced Monterrey rivals again, winning 1-1 (3-0 on penalties) to secure their place in the Round of 32 along with Austin in West Group 1.
Here it is 90 minWhitecaps vs Pumas guide.
This will be the first meeting between Vancouver Whitecaps and Pumas UNAM.
Current form (all competitions)
|
Vancouver Whitecaps |
Pumas UNAM |
|---|---|
|
Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 Club Tijuana – 03/08/2024 |
Monterrey 1-1 Pumas UNAM (0-3 on penalties) – 03/08/2024 |
|
LAFC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps (2-4 on penalties) – 30/07/2024 |
Pumas UNAM 2-3 Austin FC – 26/07/2024 |
|
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-4 Wrexham – 27/07/2024 |
Pumas UNAM 2-0 Pachuca – 21/07/2024 |
|
Vancouver Whitecaps 3-4 Houston Dynamo – 20/07/2024 |
FC Juarez 1-2 Pumas UNAM – 17/07/2024 |
|
Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Sporting Kansas City – 17/07/2024 |
Santos Laguna 1-1 Pumas UNAM – 13/07/2024 |
All Leagues Cup 2024 matches will be streamed on the MLS Season Pass to all subscribers.
Vancouver will be without linebacker Tristan Blackmon as he is dealing with a groin injury and is expected to return later this month.
Vancouver Whitecaps predicted to face Pumas UNAM ( 3-4-3 ): Takaoka; Laborda, Halbouni, Utvik; Berhalter, Cubas, Vite, Ahmed; Picault, White, Gauld.
There are no new injury worries in the Pumas camp.
Pumas UNAM predicted that they will face Vancouver Whitecaps ( 4-2-3-1 ): Gonzalez; Bennevendo, Nathan, Duarte, Magallan; Rivas, Caicedo; Ruvalcaba, Pussetto, Huerta; Martinez.
As many didn't think Vancouver would top their group, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that many also believed they didn't stand a chance against the Pumas.
However, Vancouver will prove the doubters wrong again with a narrow victory thanks to goals from Fabrice 'Fafa' Picault and Brian White to reach the Round of 16. The Pumas will make things difficult, but Vancouver has more quality in the finals . the third time to eliminate the Mexican club at home.
Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Pumas UNAM
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