February 4 – When making your Concacaf Champions Cup debut, you’re always hopeful of a favorable draw; unfortunately for Canada’s Vancouver FC, they were paired with the defending and seven-time champions, Cruz Azul.
Having earned a Champions Cup berth by reaching the Canadian Championship final last year, VFC prepared in Phoenix to build fitness ahead of the fixture; however, with La Máquina (The Machine) having four games under their belts in Liga MX, it was always going to be an uphill battle for Martin Nash’s team despite a partisan crowd at the intimate, Willoughby Community Park in Langley, B.C.
The visitors controlled the early tempo on a smooth artificial turf pitch that clearly played into their hands, as they were by far the more technical team, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring through José Paradela in the 22nd minute, with Gabriel Fernández providing the assist. There was an element of luck about the goal, not that Paradela would care.
With the comfort of a lead, Cruz Azul, showed exactly why they are big favorites to retain their crown, knocking the ball around with consummate ease.
Fernández went from providing assists to looking for goals and had two headers in the space of three minutes that on another night could’ve found the back of the net.
Just before the half-time mark, Fernández again made room for himself, but this time, Callum Irving in the Vancouver net made a smart save. The reprieve wouldn’t last long as the next attack saw Amaury Morales double the lead with a clean right foot strike that gave Irving no chance.
It was increasingly clear that Cruz Azul’s match sharpness and superior fitness would be a major factor, and that was demonstrated straight out of the gates in the second half as the team in all blue came out with a relentless press.
Irving saved from Agustín Palavecino. Carlos Rodríguez blasted high and wide. José Paradela had a shot blocked, and Jorge Rodarte headed wide.
A third goal was inevitable, and it duly arrived in the 65th minute. Fernández, who already had an assist on the night, slid a delightful through ball that gave Palavecino the easiest of near-post finishes past a hapless Irving.
Nash immediately rang in the changes to stem the flow and give Cruz Azul something to think about. Six minutes later, Vancouver had their spell.
First, Mohamed Amissi saw Emmanuel Ochoa save his header, and then Kian Proctor saw his shot fly past the far post. David Norman Jr. was the next to test Ochoa as Vancouver started showing real spirit and fight.
Nicolás Larcamón is a crafty operator, though. Sensing the tide turning, he broke up the momentum of the game with substitutions, and tactical tweaks that frustrated Vancouver, leading to a yellow card for Nicolás Mezquida after a naughty foul on their tormentor, Fernández, who had to be replaced after a lengthy spell on the ground.
Referee Jose Raúl Torres Rivera finally blew his whistle on an evening of total control for The Machine. The possession stat was a mindboggling 70/30 % in Cruz Azul’s favor. They had 20 shots to Vancouver’s 6, and more importantly, found the back of the net three times.
The task ahead for Vancouver in the 2nd leg is daunting, but the experience will be invaluable as this relatively new club finds its legs in the international arena.
For Cruz Azul, a job well done, and they’re already eyeing their next opponents as they return south of the border.
1st Leg: Vancouver FC 0 – 3 Cruz Azul