Vancouver vs. Vancouver: Whitecaps face little brother in Canadian Championship Final at BC Place
Yes, you read that right.
Vancouver FC just punched its ticket to the Canadian Championship Final, after defeating AtlĂŠtico Ottawa 3-2 on aggregate.
It sets up a first-of-its-kind Vancouver vs. Vancouver final matchup: Vancouver FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Oct. 1.
A Canadian Premier League club since 2023, Vancouver FC plays out of the Willoughby Community Park Stadium in Langley.
Qualifying for the Canadian Championship Final, something usually reserved for MLS teams, is the biggest accomplishment in Vancouver FC franchise history. And the fact that they’re facing their big brother down the road makes it extra special.
The celebration is on for Vancouver FC (@cplsoccer/Instagram)
“I almost broke down on the field,” Vancouver FC defender Matteo Campagna said following the match.
“It’s a different feeling, mixed emotions. For me, my family, everybody who supports me. It’s crazy when I think about it. When I heard there was a chance [to play the Whitecaps] I was like, wow.”
Former Whitecaps midfielder NicolĂĄs Mezquida now plays for Vancouver FC (@cplsoccer/Instagram)
The Whitecaps have dominated the Canadian Championship in recent years. They’ve won the last three titles and will look to become the first team to win four in a row since Toronto FC achieved the feat between 2009 and 2012.
However, when Toronto won the last title of their run back in 2012, there were only four teams in the Championship. Now, there are 15 teams, including competition from MLS, the Canadian Premier League and League 1 in Canada.
Although Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Vancouver FC look similar in name, that’s about where the commonalities end.
The Whitecaps are having a dream season. Despite some key injuries, they’re one of the best teams in the MLS, and they haven’t lost a game since adding international soccer star Thomas MĂźller.
Vancouver FC, on the other hand, are the perfect embodiment of David, going up against their Goliath neighbour from down the highway.
Biggest win in Vancouver FC history (@cplsoccer/Instagram)
They have won just two of 23 games this season in the Canadian Premier League, ranking last in the competition. They fired their coach midseason and replaced him with former Whitecap, Martin Nash.
However, they made it through the first two rounds of the Canadian Championship with narrow wins on penalty kicks before defeating AtlĂŠtico Ottawa on aggregate to make the finals.