On the heels of arguably one of the finest Champions League semi-final matches of all time, a CONCACAF equivalent occurred in Miami.

Despite Vancouver having a 2 – 0 aggregate lead, most pundits were making claims that the series was still even. Perhaps they didn’t watch the first leg; or perhaps there is still some juice to be squeezed from the desiccated icon called Lionel Messi. But after tonight, the lauded names of Messi, Busquets, and Suarez have been eclipsed by White, Berhalter and Ahmed.

Bienvenido a Miami

It certainly looked good for Miami from early on. The Herons struck first when Jordi Alba punched in a shot from a tight angle in the 8th minute. As hard as it was, ‘Caps keeper Yohei Takaoka should have done better. But four minutes later Emmanuel Sabbi was unlucky to hit the post off the break. It was a warning shot fired across Miami’s bow, but overall the hosts had the better run of play in that first half and entered the locker room up by one.

As they took the pitch after the half, Miami had every right to feel positive. After all, they only needed one goal to bring the game into a level state. One goal. 

The Second Half Unfolds

But the urgency and pressure they had built up towards the end of the first was lacking, and Vancouver were able to completely flip the script in the 51st when Sebastian Berhalter found himself with the ball and space to drive into the box. Looking around he spotted Brian White on the run, timing his backpass perfectly to White’s sudden deceleration. White converted his not-so-simple redirection into the far corner.

Less than two minutes later Vancouver would strike again, with Berhalter setting up Pedro Vite at the top of the box. His resulting shot took a fortunate deflection, arcing into the net beyond keeper Oscar Ustari.  It should be noted that Ali Ahmed was critical in the build-up to both goals.

The Miami crowd completely deflated. That single goal target in the 50th minute was now a four goal target by the 53rd. A comeback of Remontada-like proportions would be required. Surely the Inter Miami dream team would make a game of it?

They would not.

The Final Nail

Vancouver, despite their two goals, refused to alter their game. They continued to press aggressively, chasing every ball. In the 71st minute, Daniel Ríos forced a turnover off that pressure. His resulting shot was blocked into the path of Berhalter, who expertly side volleyed it into the net (albeit off a deflection, but the initial path was on frame so it did not classify as an own goal). At this point the heron was cooked.

I’ll be fair, Miami didn’t just roll over. Luis Suarez tried his best. He took three shots but had them 1) pulled wide, 2) blocked the defender, and 3) blocked by the defender. Tadeo Allende’s brilliant strike in the 74th deserved to go in, not bounce off the inside post and go wide. Messi hit one wide, and struck a free kick that Takeoka saved easily (after that initial error, Takeoka redeemed himself with five solid saves).

Here are some takeaways from this monumental game.

• With this result it was the first time since Messi joined Miami that they have lost three straight.
• With this result Vancouver is now on their longest unbeaten streak since joining the MLS as an expansion club in 2011.
• Vancouver becomes the ninth MLS club to reach a CONCACAF Cup final, and the third Canadian team (Montréal in 2015 and Toronto in 2018).
• Sadly, Berhalter will miss the final because of his 45th minute yellow card. That really sucks. With three assists and two goals over this fixture, he will be missed.

For more on Vancouver’s remarkable season, read here.