OVERVIEW – On Monday, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ first opponent in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League was announced as Real CD España. Few MLS or Whitecaps fans may know of the 12-time Honduran champions. However, today we’ll take a closer look at the type of team Vancouver will face in the competition’s opener in March.
NEWS | ‘The caps are ready to face the Honduran side @rcdespana in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League @The Champions Round of 16 ✍️
➡️ First leg: March 7-9
➡️ Return match: March 14-16Additional match details will be confirmed at a later date.#VWFC | #SCCL23
—Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 8, 2022
First opponent of the Vancouver Whitecaps: Real CD España
First opponent of the Whitecaps: the old powers
In fairly recent history, the name Real CD España might not instantly ring a bell for many MLS fans, but Los Aurinegros are one of the most famous clubs in Honduras. They have won the league 12 times, making them third all-time winners behind Motagua (18) and Olimpia (34). They’ve only won it twice in the last 10 years, which means they’re not the same team that dominated Honduran football in the mid to late 70s, but they’re still a formidable team. in the league.
While their successes have been rare over the past decade, in the past year and a half they have enjoyed something of a resurgence under Argentine coach Héctor Vargas. They placed second in the Apertura 2021 and Clausura 2022 seasons, losing the championship to Olimpia and Motagua, respectively.
This second season for Clausura was particularly impressive as they finished the regular season in first place, five points above Olimpia, only losing the title to Motagua in the second leg of the knockout stage final. , 3-2 overall.
A good shape
Currently, at Apertura 2022, they sit fourth in the table, seven points behind first-placed Olimpia. While it might not be the best position to be in, one could excuse their standing in the league when you consider the stellar Concacaf League campaign they just had, spanning July at the beginning of September.
Los Aurinegros pushed themselves through to the semi-finals, where they lost in a two-legged knockout tie to eventual silver medalists LD Alajuelense. Arguably, this run marked their best showing in Concacaf competitions, with only one CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final loss to LA Galaxy in 2000 coming close.
FINAL DEL PARTIDO🟡⚫ Luego de años de no estar en una competición internacional, llegamos a semifinales🙌🏻 Sabemos que no se logró el objetivo, pero también sabemos el buen nivel mostrado desde que inició SCL ¡JUNTOS HASTA EL FINAL!🚂💨 #SCL2022 #SCL pic.twitter.com/c4c7FYfm6m
— Real Club Deportivo España official (@rcdespana) October 12, 2022
Which address
Perhaps their main goal threat is 33-year-old Argentine Ramiro Rocca. Since joining in 2021, he has scored 40 goals in 69 games and was last season’s top scorer with 11 goals. This season, he has 9 goals in all competitions, including three in the league and six in the Concacaf League. With his wealth of experience and 6’1″ frame, he could be a headache for any opposing team.
Other threats are newly acquired Paraguayan centre-forward Pedro Baez, who has already scored four league goals, and 24-year-old left winger Yeison Mejía, who has three assists. And at the back, they have a solid player between the sticks in Luis Lopez who has seven clean sheets in just eight games he has started.
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 🔝🚂#RealEspaña #Aurinebig #LaMakina #Killer pic.twitter.com/lCvSNCGzo8
— Real Club Deportivo España official (@rcdespana) November 7, 2022
Avoiding complacency is key
Now, Real CD España might not be the toughest opponent to choose from in the entire SCCL 2023 bracket, but looking past them as minnows would be a mistake. They have proven that they can fight hard in different environments and push their weight in two-legged bonds.
And while fans and players can be forgiven for widening their eyes in a potentially tantalizing quarter-final draw against new MLS champions LAFC, the Whitecaps must first defeat this resurgent Honduran side to begin their quest. the SCCL 2023 title; underestimating them could be tragic.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC reached the Concacaf Champions League with their Voyageurs Cup penalty shoot-out win over Toronto FC in the 2022 Canadian Championship final. This will be Vancouver’s third appearance in the Champions League. Concacaf champions and his first appearance since the 2016-17 edition of the Concacaf Champions League.
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