Match Preview - Caps vs Tigres UANL

Whitecaps FC vs Tigres UANL
CONCACAF Champions League Semi-Final Leg 2
Kickoff: 7pm
TV: TSN
Radio: TSN 1040
Online: CONCACAF Facebook Page

Whichever way you want to slice it, this is the biggest match in Caps history, for now. It is also probably the toughest. Is it Mission: Impossible? No. Mission: Unlikely? Most definitely.

In an unusual move, the Caps and BC Place have declared the roof will be open on Wednesday, even with rain in the forecast. Will it pay off? Time will tell, as will whether the BC Place turf plays a factor.

The Caps enter this match, trailing 2-0, which was not an unexpected result in Mexico. I’m not gonna say that people are happy, but it could’ve been a lot worse. Keeping in mind that Robinson said his focus early this season would be on the CCL, one expects to see another strong starting 11, hopefully one focused on attack. Given how well Laba and Tchani worked together in midfield, one would expect to see that tandem again.

As for Tigres, up 2 goals, headed into what probably feels like the Arctic for them. 10 degrees in the rain vs 30+ degrees in Monterrey. How will these seemingly adverse conditions affect them throughout the 90 minutes?

They are coming off a loss to Leon and have Necaxa, a team they’re only 2pts ahead of waiting for them on Saturday. On the other hand, the Caps are coming off a 4-2 home victory over LA with a trip to RSL waiting on the weekend. Back to Tigres, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Duenas and Juninho all played 90 minutes and are missing a few pieces as well.

Lineup Changes:
Tigres:
In: Damian Alvarez, Javier Aquino, Julian Quinones
Out: Jose Rivas, Jurgen Damm, Luis Quinones

Whitecaps:
In: Marco Bustos, Tony Tchani, Russell Teibert
Out: Cole Seiler, Kekuta Manneh, Erik Hurtado

Awaiting the winner is CF Pachuca in the CCL Final, where the winner advances to the FIFA Club World Cup, will be a two-legged affair.

Should Tigres advance, the first leg will be at Estadio Universitario.
Should Whitecaps FC advance, the final leg will be at Estadio Hidalgo.