MIAMI, Florida – Honduran side Real Espana will be hoping to craft a comeback at home in the second leg of their 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 series against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Vancouver emerged as 5-0 winners in the first leg last week in Canada, making it a very steep uphill climb for Real Espana.
For inspiration, Wednesday’s hosts can point toward their overall home record of 17W-11D-5L in Concacaf competition, with 60 goals scored and just 31 conceded.
Better yet, Real Espana have produced a 6-0 home win in their SCCL history when they defeated Costa Rica’s Municipal Liberia by that scoreline in the 2009-10 Preliminary Round.
It’s imperative for Real Espana to keep a clean sheet and they have the GK to do it in Luis Lopez, who made nine saves and three clearances in the first leg.
Goals will also be necessary, so they will turn to 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League Top Scorer Award winner Ramiro Rocca (6 goals) to try to work their way back into the series.
It won’t be easy against a Vancouver team that enjoyed a very productive outing in the first leg. Ryan Gauld was a constant danger in contributing two assists, while Brian White had a goal and led the teams in shots with four.
Real Espana will be trying to find some momentum from the starting whistle with some goals, while the Vancouver defense will be aiming for a drama-free night.
Game Notes, Stats Real España vs Vancouver
Match Officials
R: Marco Ortiz (MEX)
AR1 Enedina Caudillo (MEX) AR2 Christian Espinoza (MEX)
4th Official: Diego Montano (MEX)
VAR Jorge Perez (MEX)
AVAR Diana Perez (MEX)
