The second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup is upon us, as the Vancouver Whitecaps must win at BC Place. They face C.S. Cartaginés following a goalless draw in Cartago, a result that kept their net intact but left them without the away goal that could have made things more comfortable.
How both sides enter the match
The hosts come into the match fresh off a 1-0 win in their MLS opener against Real Salt Lake, with Aziel Jackson grabbing the lone goal of the contest. Off the pitch, the club confirmed the loan of striker Nelson Pierre to USL side FC Tulsa, while also extending the contract of star midfielder Andrés Cubas through the 2027-28 season, transitioning him from a Designated Player to a TAM deal in the process.
As for the visitors, C.S. Cartaginés are in good form after defeating Deportiva Municipal Liberia 2-1 in league action, with former CF Montréal forward Johan Venegas and club captain Cristopher Núñez on the scoresheet. The visitors sit second in the Clausura standings, level on points with leaders Herediano.
Scenarios
With the away goals rule in effect, the possible scenarios heading into the second leg are straightforward but worth clarifying.
If Vancouver win on the night, they advance to the round of 16. If Cartaginés win on the night, they go through instead.
As for a draw, a 0-0 after 90 minutes would trigger extra time, and if still level, a penalty shootout. Any other drawn scoreline — 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, and so on — would see Cartaginés advance on away goals, having scored more on Vancouver's turf than the Whitecaps managed in Cartago.
Players to watch
Brian White for Vancouver and Cristopher Núñez for Cartaginés. White has been a prolific goalscorer for the Whitecaps since arriving via trade from New York Red Bulls back in 2021, and he'll be hungry to get off the mark in 2026. He scored a brace against fellow Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa in the second leg at BC Place Stadium to send Vancouver through the first round last time out. Will history repeat itself?
Cristopher Núñez is the current Cartaginés captain and has earned 13 caps for the Costa Rican national team. A central midfielder by trade, the 28-year-old was deployed up front alongside Ricardo Márquez in the first leg, going 85 minutes before picking up a yellow card. Currently in his seventh season with the club after rejoining in 2025 following three years in Greece with Lamia, Núñez will be looking to inspire his underdog side to an upset against the highly touted Whitecaps.
Projected XIs
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-2-3-1): Yohei Takaoka; Édier Ocampo, Tristan Blackmon, Ralph Priso, Mathías Laborda; Sebastian Berhalter, Andrés Cubas; Emmanuel Sabbi, Thomas Müller (c), Kenji Cabrera; Brian White
C.S. Cartaginés (4-4-2): Kevin Briceño; Carlos Barahona, Diego Mesén, Fernan Faerron, Diego González; Juan Carlos Gaete, Douglas López, Luis Flores, Suhander Zúñiga; Ricardo Márquez, Cristopher Núñez (c)
Game information and how to watch
📆 Wednesday, February 25, 2026
⏰ 9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT
📺 OneSoccer, FuboTV, Telus Optik TV Ch. 980
👤 TBA
🏟 BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
