00:00What do you think is going to happen between these two powerhouses of their respective leagues?
00:06Look, Vancouver has been looking so good.
00:08You know, we all thought at the beginning they're having a good run, you know, they're going to get tired.
00:15They're still first place in the MLS.
00:17They're still not losing games, even though they have tied a couple of games along the way.
00:22I honestly see them very strong, very convinced of winning these CONCAC champions for MLS and for Canada.
00:30But then on the other hand, I also see a Cruz Azul that is hurt.
00:34Their fans, you know, America again, one more time, eliminated Cruz Azul.
00:38And the Liguilla, I said it, since 1999, Cruz Azul hasn't been able to beat America in a Liga MX Liguilla.
00:45So, Cruz Azul, you know, they're angry, they're angry, and they really won this cup to at least have a decent close of a tournament.
00:55To be honest with you, I just see Vancouver taking the cup.
00:59One of the strengths of Vancouver this season has been their ability to rotate their squad, to show the depth, and still get a result.
01:07That was proved this last Wednesday when they were playing with a bunch of subs and they still got the result.
01:12Nick, what is your prediction for this game?
01:15I have to say I agree.
01:16I mean, yes, Cruz Azul is coming in here with a wealth of experience and a very formidable home record.
01:23After all, they're playing in Mexico City, you know, so they're going to have more Mexicans than USA MLS fans in the stands.
01:33It's going to feel more like a home game for them, obviously.
01:35But, you know, Vancouver's momentum, their tactical flexibility, I think they're also, if we look back, their recent success against other Mexican teams, I think, suggests that I think they're more than well-equipped to challenge for the title here.
01:49I mean, this is huge.
01:50Whitecaps, this is like truly an amazing underdog story that we're watching, not only in the MLS, but in tournaments like this.
01:56They're making their first appearance in this cup final, and this is historic for them.
02:01This is a historic moment for the club.
02:03And they're just on this really impressive run, defeating teams like Monterrey, Inter-Miami to reach this stage.
02:09So they've really fought to get here.
02:12And I can only see that momentum continuing on through.
02:16So whatever happens, the Whitecaps are making history for themselves right now as a club, and I think that's great.
02:21I agree, Nick.
02:22This is a proof that the competition that has been growing between the two leagues is better than never.
02:28And this is a great segue to talk about two other tournaments that will have MLS and Liga MX participants.
02:34I'm talking first about the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup.
02:40These two tournaments are going to happen this summer.
02:42I'm very excited.
02:43Chiba and Nick, what are your predictions?
02:46What do you think we're going to see during the Leagues Cup?
02:48Do you think that MLS, this is going to be the tournament, the MLS really takes advantage of this home field situation that happens every year?
02:56You know what, man?
02:57I'm very excited.
02:58I think we're going to see a little slow tournament when it comes to the Club World Cup.
03:04It's going to start.
03:05Not a lot of people in the stands.
03:07That's what I see.
03:08But the more that it moves on, it's just going to get better and better and better.
03:12It's going to take us to those games that are at the level of Champions League, at the level of those type of games.
03:19And then we also got Copa Oro.
03:21Copa Oro, that is a tournament that Mexico and the U.S. are taking advantage to see more players.
03:28They're not bringing their eight squads, I think.
03:30They're trying to get their team together.
03:35The World Cup is next year.
03:36They don't have official tournaments.
03:38They're already qualified.
03:39So they're going to take this Copa Oro as a Comuna punching bag to be ready for the World Cup.
03:44And I love to see new names, you know, people taking a break.
03:48For example, in the U.S., Mateo Chavez in Mexico.
03:51So very excited, man.
03:52It's going to be an exciting summer of soccer for all of us.
