Vancouver Whitecaps get underway in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup when they visit the Estadio Fello Meza to face Costa Rican outfit CS Cartagines on Wednesday. This will be Vancouver’s first competitive game since their gut-wrenching 3-1 defeat against Inter Miami in the MLS playoff final back in December.
CS Cartagines dropped three points behind Herediano at the top of the Costa Rican Primera Division standings last Sunday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Carlos Alvarado.
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Amarini Villatoro’s men now make their return to the Champions Cup for the first time since 2014, having secured qualification after beating Mortagua 4-1 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Central American Cup play-in back in October.
Cartagines are aiming for their second Champions Cup title, after clinching the crown in 1994, when they defeated Mexican outfit Atlante 3-2 in the final.
On the other hand, the goal for Vancouver Whitecaps is to go one step further than their Champions Cup run from last season, when they finished as runners-up.
Jesper Sorensen’s side made a historic run to the final, including beating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, before suffering a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Mexican side Cruz Azul.
Vancouver Whitecaps head into Wednesday’s tie off the back of two friendly defeats, losing 2-0 against Sparta Prague B on February 8 before falling to a 2-1 defeat against Brommapojkarna.
CS Cartagines vs Vancouver Whitecaps Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Cartagines and Vancouver Whitecaps, and both sides will be aiming to begin their rivalry on the right foot.
- Vancouver Whitecaps are unbeaten in 15 of their last 17 competitive games, picking up 10 wins and five draws since the second week of August.
- Cartagines have lost all but one of their last five matches across all competitions, with a 1-0 victory over Perez Zeledon on February 8 being the exception.
- Vancouver have lost just one of their last seven competitive away games, while claiming three wins and three draws since August 14.
CS Cartagines vs Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction
Having lost their last two outings, Cartagines and Vancouver Whitecaps will be looking to bounce back here and secure a first-leg advantage. However, Sorensen’s men boast the firepower needed to get the job done, and we predict they will show their class by coming out on top at the Estadio Fello Meza.
Prediction: CS Cartagines 0-3 Vancouver Whitecaps
CS Cartagines vs Vancouver Whitecaps Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Vancouver Whitecaps to win
Tip 2: Over 10.5 corners – No (There have been fewer than 11 corner kicks in four of Vancouver’s last five games)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in four of the visitors’ last five matches)
Edited by Peter P
