Whitecaps open Champions Cup run with draw vs. C.S. Cartagines

The Vancouver Whitecaps kicked off their 2026 campaign with a 0-0 draw against Costa Rican side C.S. Cartagines in Concacaf Champions Cup play on Wednesday. 

The ‘Caps were the dominant side for much of the match, controlling 76.5 per cent of the possession across the game. 

The visitors also outshot Cartagines 15-7 with a 5-0 edge in on-target shots, but Vancouver couldn’t get a ball past goalkeeper Kevin Briceño.

“We could have scored in the first half, especially, but also in the second,” said Vancouver’s head coach Jesper Sorensen. “That’s how it works sometimes. 

“And when we couldn’t score, I think it was good that we didn’t slip up any big chances and didn’t concede any goals. So I have to be satisfied with the result here.”

The Whitecaps come into the tournament between the top teams in North America and Central America, looking to improve upon last year’s performance, where they made the final but fell 5-0 to Liga MX giants Cruz Azul. 

Cartagines will visit Vancouver for the back half of the two-legged aggregate opening round series on Feb. 25. 

“I expect maybe the second game to be a little bit alike (the first). But you never know,” Sorensen said. “That’s why we play. If it’s too obvious, it also becomes too boring. So let’s see how it plays out.”

The Whitecaps will open their Major League Soccer season on Saturday when they host Real Salt Lake.