Whitecaps Advance to Canadian Champs Final

Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 Pacific FC (Vancouver advance 2-0 on aggregate)

Vancouver Whitecaps will get a chance to defend their Canadian Championship for the second consecutive year as they defeated Pacific FC, 1-0, to advance to the final against Toronto FC, 2-0 on aggregate. Ryan Gauld got the match’s only goal in the 11th minute as he pounced on rebound after Sam Adekugbe’s initial shot was saved by Emil Gazdov.

Pacific FC were in their third Canadian semifinal in four years, but once again, fall at this stage. Shots for the Tridents were few and far between and did little to trouble Issac Boehmer’s net.

Ryan Raposo had a golden chance to seal the tie in the 79th minute, but headed wide from six yards out. It would not matter in the end as the two-time defending champion Whitecaps saw out the tie and advance to host the Canadian Championship Final against Toronto FC on September 25th (7pm PT, ONE Soccer) at BC Place.

Toronto advanced to the final defeating Forge FC of Hamilton, 1-0, at BMO Field which leveled the aggregate at 2-2, but Toronto’s away goal in Hamilton was the difference.

The Whitecaps’ next match in league play is this Saturday as they look to consolidate their playoff spot against Austin FC. Kickoff is at 5:30pm PT on Apple TV as part of the MLS Season Pass.

For more of Gerrit te Hennepe’s photos from the night at BC Place, please click on the link to his gallery.