Tigres too much in Mexico

Not since the capture of infamous drug lord El Chapo has there been this much hype in Mexico about cuffing an underdog.

The Tigres UANL, a wealthy and talented Liga MX football club based in Monterrey, rolled out the bands, trumpets and boisterous fans Tuesday night at Estadio Universitario to face the pinchus-we’re-really-here Vancouver Whitecaps.

On paper this was simply listed as the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, but for the visiting Major League Soc- cer side and coach Carl Robinson, it was drummed up as “the game of a lifetime.”

Despite holding off the attacking Tigres for 64-plus minutes — highlighted by David Ousted’s superb goaltending — there was no miracle in Mexico for the Whitecaps in dropping a 2-0 decision.

A botched clearing pass by veteran Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston in the 65th minute led to a wild scramble in front of the Vancouver goal area, then a second Waston clearing misadventure resulted in an own goal.

Then, with three minutes left in regulation, and Vancouver tiring

from doing most of the chasing on this night, Eduardo Vargas drilled a shot past a diving Ousted, who didn’t have a chance on the play.

Vancouver’s best chances of the fast-paced match came at the 59-minute mark when Brek Shea had a partial break but stumbled and was shown a yellow card for simulation. A Nicolas Mezquida shot toward goal with less than 13 minutes remaining in regulation was just an inch or two off the mark.

Speaking to reporters before the kickoff at The Volcano, Robinson said he told his players to not only “enjoy themselves” in Mexico, but also to seize an opportunity to make history.

Wishful thinking by the everoptimistic Vancouver coach? Perhaps, as only two MLS squads had ever won in Mexico despite having 52 shots at it. Throw-Ins: The Caps will host the Tigres on April 5 in the return leg at B.C. Place Stadium. Attendance in Monterrey was announced at 43,000.