Whitecaps say 'significant number' of players, staff are ill following CONCACAF Champions Cup defeat in Mexico
The White announced Thursday that a "significant number" of players and staff developed "gastrointestinal symptoms" following the team' return from Mexico. The team said that it had cancelled practice on Wednesday as a result of the widespread illness, calling it a "precautionary measure" after consulting with medical staff.
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"The health and well-being of our players and staff remain our top priority. Each player has been provided with an individualized program by the medical and performance staff to support their continued preparation and recovery," the team said in the statement. "We are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available."
Players who were cleared had individual closed sessions in place of team practice on Wednesday. Per the club, each player has an "individualized program" to address their personal recovery.
The Whitecaps aren't the only MLS team whose Concacaf tournament was marred by tummy troubles: A similar situation happened last year with Columbus Crew. A huge number of Crew players and staff struggled with a gastrointestinal illness ahead of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup final against Pachuca, also held in Mexico.
The team doctor later surmised that the team had suffered food poisoning. Columbus went on to lose the game 3-0.
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"My players gave everything knowing that they were sick," Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy said at the time, adding that much of the team and staff had been suffering from diarrhea the day before the game. Nancy later said that he believed the tournament's final should take place at a neutral site, pointing to the food poisoning illness.
Regardless of the malady, MLS teams have not had a very good run in the Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly known as the Concacaf Champions League). Since the tournament was changed to its modern format in 2008, only one MLS club — the Seattle Sounders — have won the cup. The other titles have all gone to Liga MX squads.
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Going forward, it's not entirely clear how many players the Whitecaps will be able to field for the next few games. In addition to the players out with illness, Vancouver has nine players that will be leaving the club during the international window — the second most in MLS.
Vancouver hosts the Sounders on Sunday, before traveling to play the Crew on June 14.
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