Lionel Messi and Inter Miami drop Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal opener in Vancouver

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Vancouver’s storybook run within the Concacaf Champions Cup continues. 

The Whitecaps will take a 2-0 combination lead again to Florida after shutting down Inter Miami and Lionel Messi on Thursday evening within the first leg of the groups’ two-game, all-MLS semifinal collection. 

U.S. males’s nationwide staff ahead Brian White scored within the first half for the Canadian membership in entrance of a sold-out crowd of 53,837 at BC Place, with Sebastian Berhalter including a doubtlessly backbreaking second purpose with simply 5 minutes of standard time remaining. 

The decisive second contest can be performed at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Could 1 (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1), with a spot within the regional closing in opposition to the winner of the opposite semi, between Mexican sides Cruz Azul and Tigres, on the road. 

Miami should win by at the least two objectives subsequent Wednesday simply to take the home-and-home total-goals-wins collection to further time. 

Play of the sport

Vancouver squandered a number of early possibilities to take the lead in entrance of their dwelling followers, however the Whitecaps made no mistake on White’s tally. It got here following a fast counterattack and a pinpoint cross from Pedro Vite: 

Turning level

White’s strike was prettier, however Berhalter’s strike might find yourself figuring out the end result. The son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter sealed the ‘Caps triumph on Thursday by slamming a move from Canadian worldwide Jayden Nelson into the roof of Miami’s web. 

Key stat

Regardless of the 2-0 loss, Miami dominated the ball all evening. The guests had 69-percent possession and accomplished greater than twice as many passes because the hosts. Sadly for them, they nonetheless could not breach Vancouver’s again line, with Messi coming the closest on a first-half shot by way of visitors that went straight into the ready arms of ‘Caps keeper Yohei Takaoka. 

What’s subsequent for Inter Miami?

The two,800-mile flight dwelling will appear even longer after giving up the late purpose, and the bodily restoration wanted following the journey and 90 minutes on Vancouver’s synthetic turf discipline will not be simple for the Herons’ late 30-something stars Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez. 

Nonetheless, Miami coach Javier Mascherano will certainly relaxation the previous Barcelona quartet for Sunday’s MLS match in opposition to Dallas. And Inter are greater than able to securing at the least a 2-0 win of their very own at dwelling subsequent week. 

What’s subsequent for Vancouver?

First, the Whitecaps will have a good time maybe the largest win in membership historical past. Then coach Jesper Sorensen should shortly refocus his squad for the duty forward subsequent week; like Mascherano, he’ll certainly relaxation his regulars for Sunday’s journey to Minnesota United.  

After eliminating Liga MX foes on the street in every of the final two rounds, the Canadians may have no worry. If they will snag an important away purpose early, Vancouver can be properly on its option to the finale. 

“We will not get forward of ourselves,” Berhalter mentioned afterward. “We have got yet one more recreation…all that issues is that we win and advance to the ultimate.”

Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has lined United States males’s and girls’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Comply with him @ByDougMcIntyre.

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