VANCOUVER: It lasted nearly two full calendar years and spanned three MLS seasons, but Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s second CONCACAF Champions League adventure came to an end at BC Place on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss on the night, and a 4-1 semifinal defeat on aggregate, to Mexican giants Tigres UANL.
Starting with their 2015 Canadian Championship triumph, the ‘Caps CCL run consisted of 12 matches, and saw them just 45 minutes and two goals away from making some more history for the club and claiming a place in the Champions League final.
“Proud to be manager of this football club and this group of players,” Robinson told reporters after the match. “Getting to this level and getting to this part of the tournament against a top team that now has a chance to go and win it.
The ‘Caps came out guns blazing, taking the lead on the night thanks to a third-minute Brek Shea strike, but after Tigres hit Vancouver with two second-half goals, it was game over.
Robinson said he had “mixed emotions” after the Whitecaps missed opportunities, but he’s hoping that he and his squad can use what they’ve learned from their run for their next foray into the Champions League.
For Ousted, with just MLS to now concentrate on, he’s hoping the team can use it immediately to boost their league play.
“What it does is it probably leaves guys a little bit fresher legged,” Ousted said. “We won’t have that Tuesday/Wednesday game to look to but we’ll take the momentum we’ve created in CONCACAF and the last couple of games here, and we’ll try