It’s in the title, folks. Every week during the MLS season, Backheeled will dive into the biggest Winners and Losers from around the league. This week, the Vancouver Whitecaps embarrassed themselves, LAFC’s bank account ballooned, Inter Miami started running, and more.
Loser: The Vancouver Whitecaps
Ah, the warm comfort of the free space on the MLS in Concacaf Champions Cup bingo card — the one marked disappointment.
There’s no more familiar place for MLS teams to be when it comes to the CCC. Outside of the Seattle Sounders, who won the whole thing back in 2022, the modern iteration of the CCC has been dominated by Liga MX teams. That fact didn’t change on Sunday night, when the Vancouver Whitecaps were blitzed by Cruz Azul in a 5-0 loss. The gap between the two teams was canyon-esque. The ‘Caps were never in it, but they sure were humiliated.
Despite Vancouver’s impressive tournament run that took them past Saprissa, Monterrey, Pumas, and Inter Miami all while playing at a Supporters’ Shield pace in the league, they felt flat on their face at the final hurdle. Like, wildly flat.
Controlling the ball is a pillar of Jesper Sorensen’s tactical philosophy, one that’s served the Whitecaps extremely well just about every time out in 2025. They’re fourth in MLS in possession and in xG differential per 90 minutes, according to FBref. It’s their commitment to keeping the ball high up the field that’s helped Vancouver to MLS’s best defensive record based on both xG and goals allowed.
