CANCHAMP FINAL PREVIEW: Vancouver FC take on Whitecaps in derby for Voyageurs Cup

Two teams remain standing in the TELUS Canadian Championship, and they're both from Vancouver.

Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC are headed to BC Place, hoping to continue their Cinderella run right through to the tournament's end. They're the first ever CPL team to get to a CanChamp final in a full tournament, and would be the first to win it if they can do so.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, meanwhile, are aiming for some history of their own. The Major League Soccer club have won the last three Voyageurs Cup titles, and could be the second team to win four in a row.

Doing so in this era, where the Canadian Championship has had between 13 and 15 participating teams each year, would perhaps be a a greater accomplishment for the Whitecaps than the Toronto FC side that won consecutively between 2009 and 2012 in three- or four-team tournaments.

"The challenge is the expectation. The expectation is that we win it clear, but it’s still a soccer game," said Whitecaps star Thomas Müller on Monday.

"In soccer, as a group maybe even if you’re a lower class team, you’re able with tactics [to win] — if you go 100 per cent, maybe even a bit above. ... I have no doubts that we are ready for this challenge."

It's been a remarkable year already for the 'Caps, who have been one of the strongest sides in all of North America this year. Their star-studded roster features Canadian internationals like Ali Ahmed and Jayden Nelson, goalscoring talent Brian White, and of course, FIFA World Cup and two-time UEFA Champions League winner Thomas Müller, who joined the club in August.

They know a thing or two about defying the odds, after going all the way to the Concacaf Champions Cup final in the spring.

In similar fashion, the CPL side Vancouver FC have fought their way to this final as underdogs most of the way through. They've struggled in league play, and will still be at the bottom of the CPL table on Wednesday night, but that hasn't mattered to them in this cup run.

VFC first knocked out another B.C. foe, Pacific FC, in the preliminary round on penalties. That set up a two-legged quarter-final with reigning CPL champions Cavalry FC, who Vancouver also eliminated in a penalty shootout. Finally, in the semifinals against CPL Shield contenders Atlético Ottawa, the Eagles flew to a 3-1 first-leg victory before holding firm in the nation's capital to book this ticket to the final.

The Whitecaps' run to this point has had its own share of drama, too. As the title holders, they had a bye to the quarter-finals, where they saw CPL side Valour FC — who gave them a run for their money, drawing the first leg 2-2 and nearly getting to penalties, were it not for a 90th-minute Bjørn Utvik winner for the 'Caps.

Their semifinal clash was similarly tricky, with another 2-2 draw in the first leg against Forge, but the Whitecaps stepped up in the return leg and won 4-0 to get through on aggregate.

There's much more pressure on the Whitecaps in this final, and not just because they're the MLS side playing a CPL team. They've had an incredible year so far under new head coach Jesper Sørensen, but they want some silverware to show for it; after falling in Concacaf, this is their next chance to win a trophy.

In MLS play, the Whitecaps are second in the Western Conference and six points back of the Supporters' Shield lead. They're still aiming for that, and will certainly have their eye on the MLS Cup in the playoffs, but the Canadian Championship is an opportunity they can't pass up.

Plus, winning the CanChamp is a direct route back to the Concacaf Champions Cup, which has to be a significant priority for the Whitecaps after this year's run.

There's no denying the Whitecaps are favourites in this final, with their experience and starpower, but VFC have something going for them that makes them incredibly dangerous: they have absolutely nothing to lose.

"We've been underdogs the whole time," said Vancouver FC defender Matteo Campagna. "I think people looked at us and underestimated what we can do. And that's kind of how cup tournaments go. You go against MLS teams and people say, 'oh yeah, they're going to win because they're an MLS team'. But no, I think the belief is there. It's 90 minutes, I think anything's possible."

Recently, under interim head coach Martin Nash, VFC have been improving, having won their last two games in league play. Striker Hugo Mbongue, on loan from Toronto FC, has now scored seven goals in all competitions in just 12 games. He'll be playing on Wednesday against his brother Ralph Priso, which adds another layer to the emotions of this final.

In fact, this will be personal for quite a few Vancouver FC players.

Nine members of their squad have played in the Whitecaps' system at some level, including five who have appeared for the first team. Nicolás Mezquida enjoyed the best stretch of his career in Vancouver, playing over 100 MLS games for the 'Caps and winning the 2015 Canadian Championship with them. Matteo Campagna, Vasco Fry, David Norman Jr. and Jay Herdman all appeared for the Whitecaps in a CanChamp or Concacaf game at some point, while Callum Irving, Thierno Bah, Paris Gee and Terran Campbell all came through the academy.

For those players who were at one point cut from the Whitecaps' system, this is a great opportunity for redemption against what was, for many of them, their hometown club growing up.

"It localizes the derby even more," Irving said recently. "I don’t think you’re going to find a whole lot of guys who are playing in that game and feel totally aggrieved by the Whitecaps, like it’s a revenge tour of some sort.

He added: "It means a lot to be playing a big, important game against another team in the city. Ultimately, it does give you a bit of motivation; you want to beat them, they’re an MLS team, they’re the other local team, so it’s exciting."

Vancouver FC also have some big-game experience in the group. Three of their number — Irving, Campbell and Kunle Dada-Luke — played in and won the 2021 CPL Final with Pacific FC, in a game where they were arguably underdogs on the road.

As they know, the odds are against them yet again here against the formidable Whitecaps.

However, Vancouver have already come this far. The 2025 Canadian Championship has produced many of the best moments in VFC's short history already.

Can they dare to dream for another?

Projected Starting XIs

Vancouver Whitecaps: Boehmer; Ocampo, Laborda, Priso, Johnston; Badwal, Berhalter; Nelson, Müller, Ahmed; Rios

Vancouver FC: Irving; Dada-Luke, O'Connor, Campagna, Gee; Fry, Fotsing; Campbell, Mezquida, Bah; Mbongue

Canadian Championship History

Vancouver Whitecaps:

All-time record: 28W-16D-15L

Best finish: Champions (2015, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Vancouver FC:

All-time record: 3W-1D-3L

Best finish: Preliminary Round (2023, 2024)

Key Quotes

“Our focus needs to be beyond 100 per cent for the whole 90 minutes, our commitment needs to beyond 100 per cent for that 90 minutes. We need to take our chances when we get them, limit our mistakes, but ultimately know that football is football. You have to play the 90 minutes. Just because they’re so great doesn’t mean it’s a foregone conclusion. We’re going to do everything in our power to win that game, and have full belief we have the ability to win that game.” – Vancouver FC goalkeeper Callum Irving

“That’s the great thing about cup football, sometimes unexpected things happen that you don’t see in regular season games. It’s a big night for us, but maybe even a bigger night for Vancouver FC; it’s a great achievement that they’ve reached this final. But we also know they’re going to bring everything they have. They’re going to do everything they can, and even do better than they’re maybe used to because they’re up against a better opponent than they’re used to..” – Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen

“There is not just one point you have to be aware of to win finals. In the end it’s about being ready for it as a team, as a group; what it means to win this final, but not be focused too much on it. To be focused on maybe also the losing side. You have to be focused on your behaviours, on your habits, what makes you strong as a team.” - Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Müller