Whitecaps claim fourth successive Canadian Championship

Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe

Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2 Vancouver FC

VANCOUVER, BC–They were made to work for it a bit, but Vancouver Whitecaps claimed their fourth successive Voyageurs’ Cup with a 4-2 win over Vancouver FC in the Canadian Championship Final. The win gives the Whitecaps a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe

The Whitecaps wasted little time going ahead as Ali Ahmed managed thread one past Callum Irving far post in the fourth minute. Five minutes later, Ahmed was bundled over in the area for a penalty by Kunle Dada-Luke. Thomas Müller would convert the spot kick to double the Whitecaps’ advantage.

For a while, it seemed like the Whitecaps would coast to victory, and could well have been more by the 15th minute as both Emmanuel Sabbi and Sebastian Berhalter both hit the woodwork. Müller would also hit the post ten minutes later. But in the 35th minute, the visitors would pull one back. Nicolas Mezquida would send thru-ball to Elate Bah who would get in behind the defense and make it 2-1.

The joy would be short-lived, though, as Ahemd would add his second of the match about 100 seconds later pouncing on a rebound in the box to make it 3-1. Ryan Gauld marked his return to the action for the first time in nearly six months with a goal in the 83rd minute off a give-and-go with Jayden Nelson effectively end matters. There would be a consolation goal for ex-Whitecap Mezquida two minutes later, but in the end, the Whitecaps’ quality showed and the Voyageurs’ Cup remains in downtown Vancouver.

The Whitecaps return to league play looking to claim the top seed in the Western Conference with a home match against San Jose on Sunday (3pm PT, Apple TV), while Vancouver FC will look get off the bottom of the Canadian Premier League table with an away match against Forge FC of Hamilton (1:30pm PT, ONE Soccer/TSN).

Photos by Gerrit te Hennepe