Vancouver Whitecaps down Toronto FC to win Canadian Championship - Action News
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British Columbia

Vancouver Whitecaps down Toronto FC to win Canadian Championship

Vancouver, which hoisted the Voyageurs Cup for the fourth time in its history, is now assured a place in next years CONCACAF Champions League tournament.

Vancouver wins championship for 3rd consecutive year, wins 4-2 on penalties after game ended 0-0 in regulation

A group of soccer players celebrate as they hoist a trophy in the air.
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Raposo, centre, hoists the Voyageurs Cup after Vancouver defeated Toronto FC on penalty kicks during the Canadian Championship final soccer match on Wednesday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

The VancouverWhitecapshave won their third straight Canadian Championship title, defeating Toronto FC 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) in the final at B.C. Place on Wednesday.

Defender Bjorn Utvik scored the decisive penalty for Vancouver, firing a shot into the left side of the net in the fifth round of kicks.

Goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer stopped seven on-target shots for the 'Caps and Sean Johnson made two saves for TFC.

Toronto was the dominant side for much of the game, but Boehmer made a series of critical saves, including a penalty-kick stop on Toronto star Federico Bernardeschi in the 38th minute.

Vancouver earned its way into the final after edging Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC 2-0 in the tournament's two-legged semifinal.

The Whitecaps, which hoisted the Voyageurs Cup for the fourth time in their history, is now assured a place in next year's CONCACAF Champions League tournament.

Bernardeschi proved tough for the 'Caps to handle from the opening minute.

Thirty seconds into the match, the Italian launched a left-footed rocket that Boehmer tipped out of harm's way.

A football player hits a ball as another player runs in the background.
Toronto FC's Federico Bernardeschi takes a penalty kick but is stopped by Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer, not seen, during the first half. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Toronto controlled much of the play across the first half while Vancouver struggled to connect on passes early.

Boehmer kept the game scoreless in the 21st minute after Bernardeschi dished off to Richie Laryea. The Canadian defender fired a quick shot on net, only to see Boehmer knock it down.

Vancouver settled into the game and, in the 34th minute, got a prime opportunity when Brian White and Fafa Picault broke away from the Toronto defence. The duo raced into the penalty area, where White was taken down without a call.

A group of soccer players look dejected.
Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio, right, and goalkeeper Sean Johnson look on as the Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate after defeating Toronto on penalty kicks. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Minutes later, TFC was awarded a penalty kick afterWhitecapsdefender Mathias Laborda hauled Laryea down near the goal line.

Loud boos emanated from the announced crowd of 12,516 as Bernardeschi lined up his shot. He took a few steps, then blasted a left-footed kick on net as Boehmer dove and punched the ball away to ecstatic cheers.

A soccer player bends to kick a ball, as three opponents swarm him from behind.
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld, front right, takes a shot on goal as Toronto FC's Matty Longstaff, left, and Kosi Thompson, back second left, defend during the second half. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

The score remained level at 0-0 as both sides headed to their locker rooms after the first 45 minutes. The first half saw Toronto control 71 per cent of the possession and lead Vancouver 3-1 in shots on target, though the 'Caps held a 6-5 edge in total shots.

The visitors came into the second half with renewed vigour.

A group of soccer players smile and celebrate in a group.
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer, centre, celebrates with Ryan Raposo, left, Ryan Gauld, second right, and Levonte Johnson, right, after Vancouver defeated Toronto FC. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

TFC appeared poised to open the scoring in the 53rd minute when an unmanned Laryea collected the ball inside the penalty area. Boehmer came well off his line to challenge and when Laryea sent a rolling ball toward the net, the 'keeper got a hand in its path for another save.

With neither side able to find the back of the net in regulation, the game went to penalties and Vancouver pulled it out for a three-peat.