Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to face a second new Liga MX opponent this week.
The 'Caps take on FC Juárez this coming Friday, August 7 in their second Leagues Cup match at BC Place. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT, with tickets available at ticketmaster.ca. For all options, including group tickets and premium tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
Here are some facts about the 'Caps next adversary.
FC Juárez
Founded:
- FC Juárez are one of the newest first division clubs in Mexico, founded in 2015 as a second division club, they moved up to Liga MX four years later in 2019
- Owned by MountainStar Sports Group, who also own two teams just across the border in El Paso, Texas - USL pro soccer club El Paso Locomotive FC and baseball team El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres
Nicknames
- Los Bravos (The fierce ones)
Stadium:
- Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez - Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
Top Honours:
- Ascenso MX (second division) - Apertura 2015
- Runners-up - Clausura 2019 Copa MX
Recent History
FC Juárez have been growing year by year against clubs with decades of history in Mexico.
Their best finish was just last year in the 2025 Apertura, finishing eighth during the regular season. They would then defeat Pachuca 2-1 at home in the play-in, making the liguilla (playoffs) for the first time. They would fall in a close 2-1 aggregate series to Toluca, the defending and eventual repeat champions.
Leagues Cup
The Leagues Cup has proven an opportunity for FC Juárez to grow their young history.
They have made it to the knockout round in two out of the three tournaments they have participated in, going 4W-2L-3D against MLS teams since 2023, including a 2-1 win at Minnesota United FC on Tuesday.
Form
Juárez have got off to a rough start in the current Liga MX season, losing their first three matches to Puebla (1-0), Chivas (1-0), and Pumas (5-1).
That led to the dismissal of head coach Pedro Caixinha on August 2. They are currently led by an interim head coach, Salvador Valero.
Key Players
- Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Sebastián Jurado, who has played more than 60 matches for the club
- Colombian entre back Jesús David Murillo, who was formerly at LAFC
- Veteran Portuguese midfielder Ricardinho
- Colombia forward Óscar Estupiñán, who scored twice in the 2025 Leagues Cup and again on Tuesday at Minnesota
