The Vancouver Whitecaps showed unity and optimism in their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal run.
Head coach Vanisatini jokingly compared the 3-0 deficit to climbing Mount Everest, while defender Tristan Blackmon said his MLS team wanted to prove its worth to the rest of the league.
Those hopes were dashed eight minutes later when LAFC’s Carlos Villa’s penalty at the BMO Stadium heralded the beginning of the end for the visitors.
Vela would add another goal in the 31st minute and Jose Cifuentes in the 65th minute.
History repeated itself when Vancouver lost the first leg 3-0 in British Columbia and lost 3-0 in California on Tuesday night to a crowd of 18,688.
The Whitecaps started with an unorthodox starting lineup, with wingers in defensive roles.
Whitecaps veteran Russell Tebert spoke before the game about the need for offense.
“We have to come here and be aggressive,” he said.
Vancouver’s players admit they face a daunting task in their preparations. Centre-back Blackmon said his side had a chance to prove themselves.
“This is another opportunity for us to prove people wrong,” he said on Monday.
Midfielder Ali Ahmed was named at left-back for Tuesday’s game, with Ryan Raposo being the other attacking defender on the right.
The offensive lineup failed to generate the offense the Whitecaps needed to advance in the game.
Saldini said he didn’t think the final total was fair.
“I think 6-0 on aggregate is too harsh for us,” he said.
The Whitecaps come into this game after a two-game winning streak in MLS. They’ll be looking for a three-game winning streak when they visit Austin FC on Saturday.
“We have to use this game and what we did well and what we didn’t do well to keep improving and keep trying to score in the league,” Saldini said.
But Saldini admitted he was not happy with the performances of some players.
“I think in the second half some guys could have pushed more. Some guys who came on. You could have played better when we gave you the chance to play and you were fighting for the jersey on Saturday,” he said.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said his team was lucky not to fall behind early in the first half.
“I don’t think the first 25 minutes were very good defensively,” he said. “We discussed it at half-time and went our way.”
LAFC will face the winner of the Philadelphia Union vs. Atlas (Mexican soccer team) in the semifinals.
The Whitecaps were the only Canadian team remaining in the Champions League before being eliminated.
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