Jesper SorensenB次元官网网址檚 first few games as head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps have been filled with lessons.

He added yet another Thursday when his team blanked Deportivo Saprissa 2-0 to advance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup B次元官网网址� despite some nervy moments late in the matchup.

The result gave the B次元官网网址楥aps a 3-2 edge in the two-legged aggregate series after a last-minute goal cost Vancouver a 2-1 decision in Costa Rica last week.

B次元官网网址淭hings can tip very quickly in games like this. And thereB次元官网网址檚 not much room for mistakes or errors over two games,B次元官网网址� said Sorensen, who was named VancouverB次元官网网址檚 head coach in mid-January.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 charming and its frustrating in the same way. But thatB次元官网网址檚 what football is about, right? You never know until the game is over.B次元官网网址�

After controlling play for much of the first half, the Whitecaps went up 1-0 in the 47th minute when striker Brian White headed a pass from Jayden Nelson into the bottom-right corner of the net for his first goal of 2025.

B次元官网网址淛ayden put a good cross in. I knew if I could play between the lines of the centre backs, find a little bit of space, we put a good ball in, IB次元官网网址檇 be able to score that header,B次元官网网址� White said.

The tally came a day after the Whitecaps announced they had signed the American forward to a two-year extension through 2027.

Nelson registered his fifth point over two games on the play. The 22-year-old midfielder from Brampton, Ont., contributed three helpers and a goal when the B次元官网网址楥aps thumped their regional rivals, the Portland Timbers, 4-1 to open the Major League Soccer season Sunday.

Former Whitecap Kendall Waston came close to netting a goal for Saprissa with a shot from in tight in the 66th minute, but Vancouver B次元官网网址榢eeper Yohei Takaoka dove across his line to snatch the ball out of harmB次元官网网址檚 way.

The Japanese netminder made one save on the night to earn his first clean sheet of the season.

Waston registered SaprissaB次元官网网址檚 best chance of the night in the 85th minute when he launched a blast from near the penalty spot, sending the ball ricocheting off the crossbar.

Sorensen said his team got B次元官网网址渟loppyB次元官网网址� in the final minutes of the game when players were unsure whether they should defend their 1-0 lead or push to make it 2-0.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 feel comfortable when (Saprissa) had the (corner kicks) in the end,B次元官网网址� the coach said. B次元官网网址淏ut thatB次元官网网址檚 what happens when you keep things open. You have to close the door behind you.B次元官网网址�

White sealed the win in the first minute of injury time when he collected a rebound off a corner kick and quickly sent it in past Alvarado to give Vancouver a two-goal cushion in front of an announced 14,509 at B.C. Place.

The veteran forward put in a solid performance on Thursday, Sorensen said.

B次元官网网址淏rian as an attacker will always be measured up on how many goals he scores. ThatB次元官网网址檚 how it is,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd to me, heB次元官网网址檚 just a player that brings the team so many different things. He was very well in the buildup, he was very strong when we needed him to be.B次元官网网址�

The Whitecaps outshot Saprissa 11-10 and held a 2-1 edge in on-target shots, but Sorensen said his side could have clinched the win earlier.

B次元官网网址淥verall performance, I think that we were, over the two games, the better team and I think we deservedly went through, even though it was a difficult opponent,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut I would have liked this game to be over a little bit before, to be honest.B次元官网网址�

Vancouver B次元官网网址� which earned its spot in the tournament by winning a third straight Canadian Championship last season B次元官网网址� will face LIGA MX club CF Monterrey in the round of 16 next week.

Advancing is a big accomplishment, White said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎ny time you have a chance to play in these kind of competitions, international competitions, it means a lot for the club to kind of represent the Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian soccer, the MLS. So, we have a tough test against Monterrey.B次元官网网址�

Before continuing Champions Cup play, though, the B次元官网网址楥aps will face the L.A. Galaxy in their MLS home-opener Sunday.