One of Mexico’s toughest soccer teams will be playing in Langley early in the new year.
Vancouver FC will host defending Concacaf champions Cruz Azul at Willoughby stadium on Wednesday Feb. 4. at 7 p.m. then travel to Mexico for their second match on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Dates and venues for the Concacaf Champions Cup schedule were announced Friday, Dec. 12.
It will be the first time in club history that Vancouver FC will host continental football at Willoughby Community Park.
At a Langley watch party a few days earlier to observe the televised draw for the next Cup, Vancouver FC president Rob Friend described the match as “David versus Goliath.”
“Who would have thought, you know, three and a half, four years ago, when we launched this club, that we’re [going to be] playing the monster of Cruz Azul,” Friend told the several dozen fans, players and team officials who turned out to watch the televised draw held in Miami, Fla.
“That’s pretty wild, right?” Friend commented. “I get chills just thinking about that.”
Two other Canadian Premier League teams are competing in this year’s edition.
In addition to VFC, Forge FC will also play during the first window of Round One matches, on Feb. 3 and 4, respectively, while CPL Champions Atlético Ottawa enter the competition on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Vancouver FC’s Round One matches against Champions Cup title holders Cruz Azul will be played in a home and away format.
The aggregate score winner will advance to nexty round, joining the winner of the matchup between Mexican side CF Monterrey and Guatemalan side CSD Xelajú MC.
The Round of 16 will take place in March 2026.
For more information on the Concacaf Champions Cup, visit https://www.concacaf.com/champions-cup/.