Vancouver vs. Vancouver: Whitecaps, VFC to battle in Canadian Championship final

VANCOUVER — History will be made when the Canadian Championship final is played on Wednesday.

What remains to be seen is which Vancouver soccer team will find its name in the record books.

The host Vancouver Whitecaps have an opportunity to become the first team in the tournament’s modern era to hoist the Voyageurs Cup four years in a row.

Vancouver FC will try to stop them and become the first Canadian Premier League team to win the title.

“Obviously, it’s a chance for us to show what we feel we’re really about on the biggest stage possible,” said VFC captain Callum Irving.

Toronto FC is the only team that has won four straight Canadian Championship titles, accomplishing the feat between 2009 and 2012.

Founded in 2008, the tournament featured just three teams until 2011, when FC Edmonton joined. The format expanded in 2019 with the addition of six CPL teams, and this year’s iteration includes 15 teams across six leagues.

The Whitecaps are the heavy favourites to lift the Cup once again this year.

Not only are the ‘Caps three-time reigning champs, the club also heads into the match sitting second in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference (16-6-9) and boasting a raft of top talent, including German soccer legend Thomas Muller.

Outside expectations bring their own challenges, Muller noted.

“Everybody knows that this is only one game. It’s a sudden death. And then maybe the pressure comes up. And so things can happen during a game,” said the attacking midfielder. “That’s what it is, and that’s what we have to deal with.

“But I feel that we are ready for it. We are ready for it, and so I’m not scared. I have no doubts that we are ready for this challenge. But it will be a challenge, 100 per cent.”

Muller, too, has a shot at hitting a major milestone on Wednesday.

A win would mark his 35th trophy in professional soccer, breaking a tie with Toni Kroos for the most decorated German player of all time.

“I’m not focused on making history,” said the former Bayern Munich star. “I’m focused on having this winning feeling, having this feeling that we are strong and we progress as a team and enjoy the game of football together. That’s what I’m focused on.”

Vancouver FC has struggled in CPL play this season and currently sits at the bottom of the league standings with a 4-15-6 record.

But Martin Nash has started to turn the team around since being named interim head coach in late July.

VFC upset fellow CPL club Atletico Ottawa 3-1 in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal and went on to win the two-legged series 3-2 on aggregate.

The squad is also coming off a convincing 3-1 victory over the Halifax Wanderers in league play on Sunday.

“There’s a lot of talent in the group,” Nash said. “They’re all willing to learn and they’re taking things on board, from the older players to the younger, they’re all taking in the information.”

The ‘Caps have fallen to a CPL side during the Canadian Championships before, losing to Pacific FC in the 2021 tournament.

Irving played for Pacific at the time and has talked to his teammates about how sticking with their normal routines and preparation will be key to preparing for the final.

“I think a lot of people can get maybe a little in their heads when it comes to a big game like this and a final, where all of a sudden you start thinking ‘I need to do more,'” the goalkeeper said. “In reality, it’s a big game, but it’s also just 90 minutes of football.”

The fact that Vancouver FC has nothing to lose is part of what makes them a dangerous opponent, said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen.

“That’s the great thing about Cup football — sometimes unexpected things happen that you don’t see in regular-season games. So I think it’s great,” he said.

The ‘Caps will look to dictate the pace of the game, he added, be good with the ball and move it fast.

“It’s a big night for us, but it’s maybe even a bigger night for Vancouver FC,” Sorensen said.

“And I think it’s a great achievement they’ve reached this final. But we also know they’re going to bring everything they have, and they’re going to do everything they can — and even do better than they may be used to — because they’re up against a better opponent than they’re used to, probably.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2025.