Vancouver Whitecaps down C.S. Cartagines, advance in CONCACAF Champions Cup

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kenji Cabrera (17) celebrates his goal against SC Cartagines during CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer action in Vancouver on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jimmy Jeong

A successful season last year taught the Vancouver Whitecaps the importance of staying calm.

Now the Major League Soccer club is leaning on that knowledge early in a new campaign.

The Whitecaps were the dominant side from the outset Wednesday, dominating possession and heavily out chancing Costa Rican side C.S. Cartagines in the second game of a two-legged aggregate CONCACAF Champions Cup series.

Despite the tilted field, Vancouver simply couldn’t find the back of the net.

The feeling was nothing new, said midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.

“All last year we’ve been in positions like this, so we’re prepared,” he said of a season where the team played in the Champions Cup final, won a fourth-straight Canadian Championship and a Western Conference title, and earned a spot in the MLS Cup final.

“We didn’t panic and we knew we could get the goal. So it’s just about being consistent and not trying to get ahead of ourselves.”

The Whitecaps finally broke through when Kenji Cabrera scored in the 58th minute. Berhalter added a goal in the 80th and Vancouver blanked Cartagines 2-0 to advance to the second round of the tournament.

The victory came after the two sides battled to a 0-0 draw in Cartago, Costa Rica, last Wednesday.

“Credit to them — they did well over two legs and defended hard, gave us a tough time," Berhalter said. “(Tonight) the first half was a little sloppy, and in the second half we kicked into another gear. … So nice to be on to the next round.”

The ‘Caps will now face their regional rivals the Seattle Sounders in the round of 16.

Vancouver will host the first game on March 12 and the second game will go in Spokane, Wash., on March 18.

The two sides have yet to meet in the MLS this year, but Berhalter is looking forward to facing the club’s foes.

“It seems like they’ve gotten better, and they’ve made good additions, so I’m excited,” he said. “And it’ll be some fun games.”

The Whitecaps’ domination started early on Wednesday, but the team struggled to finish its chances.

Homegrown midfielder Jeevan Badwal had a great chance in the 10th minute, blasting a shot off from the edge of the penalty area, only to see Cartagines defender Fernan Faeron get a leg on it inside the six-yard box, sending the ball over the net.

Striker Brian White came close in the 24th minute, too, but his right-footed attempt from in tight was blocked on the goal line by Carlos Barahona.

Cartagines goalkeeper Kevin Brinceno kept the score at 0-0 in the 36th minute, diving to make a last-second stop on a rocket from the foot of Emmanuel Sabbi.

Sabbi was cut down inside the penalty area three minutes later and referee Marco Ortiz pointed at the spot to signal a penalty kick.

A pack of Cartagines players appealed to him at the side of the area, but the official held fast.

White lined up for the kick and sent a rolling shot along the turf as Brinceno dove and got a touch on the ball, sending it just wide of the post.

The Whitecaps continued to press in the second half, bringing on Thomas Muller to add another offensive spark.

The German soccer legend came within inches in the 51st minute, jumping up inside the six-yard box for a header that hit the post.

Vancouver outshot the visitors 21-5 on Wednesday and held a 6-0 advantage in on-target shots.

Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen said he wasn’t concerned with the lack of finishing because the team didn’t have the quality of shots they’d hoped for.

“I would be more concerned if we had not had chances and opportunities,” he said. “We will score, and we’ll also be more efficient than we’ve been as of late. And sometimes you hit the post, sometimes the ball goes in.”

Cabrera finally opened the scoring in the 58th minute following a corner kick.

Berhalter swung the ball in and defender Tristan Blackmon jumped up to get a head on it, sending the ball toward the back post, where the Peruvian forward booted it in to give the ‘Caps a 1-0 lead.

Cabrera is a “talented and skilful player,” Sorensen said.

“He should be having the confidence that he can also be a determined player for us, a guy that can determine the score and outcome of games,” the coach said. ”He has to work harder and bring himself in better physical condition. But he’s a great talent.”

Cartagines nearly levelled the score in the 74th minute.

Whitecaps midfielder Edier Ocampo chopped down Suhander Zuniga at the corner of the penalty area, giving Cartagines an opportune free kick. Barahona chipped a ball up and over Vancouver’s wall and ‘Caps ‘keeper Yohei Takaoka came off his line to poke it away.

Berhalter doubled the lead in the 80th minute, but it took him two tries.

First, the American midfielder sent a blast sailing from the top of the penalty area, but the shot was blocked. Berhalter ran in after his own rebound and sent a second-chance shot in past Brinceno to give the ‘Caps a 2-0 cushion.

The Whitecaps have yet to allow a goal this season in three games across all competition.

“I just think that it’s the team, and it’s the team structure, the way that we don’t allow many chances,” Sorensen said.

“Even though we play high up the pitch, I think players are really aware and well prepared for the counter attacking moments. I think they’re paying attention to how we want to do it, and on the training ground all the time, pushing each other to get better.”

The Whitecaps will return to action on Saturday when they host Toronto FC in MLS play.

This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press, was first published Feb. 25, 2026.