Become a 'Caps Insider
Subscribe to our newsletter and get the inside scoop on the latest club news, match info and special offers.
VANCOUVER – Even though a third of the Major League Soccer regular season remains to be decided, there is a strong possibility both the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC will not be heading to the playoffs.
That’s one of many reasons why the 2018 Canadian Championship is so valuable for both clubs as they begin the two-legged home-and-away series Wednesday night at BC Place.
“We want to win something and the reality is the nearest thing is the Canadian Championship,” Vancouver captain Kendall Waston said following Tuesday’s practice. “It can also help us create momentum we need to get into the MLS playoffs.”
The Whitecaps did not make it easy on themselves getting to the final. After dropping a 1-0 decision on the road in Montreal, they responded with a 2-0 victory over the Impact in the return leg of the semifinals. Yordy Reyna and Kei Kamara scored in Vancouver’s win on July 25, which has kicked started a string of three straight matches without a loss.
Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup Russell Teibert on what's at stake in the Canadian Championship August 07 2018
Your browser does not support the audio element.
“Playing in championship games is huge,” said Kamara, who has scored ten goals across all competitions for Vancouver this year. “We know we’re playing against a Toronto team that has a good history from last year. Our mindset is focused and trying to win.”
“We’re in a good run of form at the moment,” added coach Carl Robinson. “We’ll try to surprise them. No doubt everyone will assume [Toronto] will win, but that’s not the mentality we’ve got.”
Vancouver has hoisted the Voyagers Cup only once, when it beat Montreal at home in 2015. The only players on the current squad who were a part of that victory include Waston, as well as midfielders Nicolas Mezquida, Christian Techera, and Canadian-born Russell Teibert, who has appeared in more Canadian Championship matches than any player in the tournament’s history.
The Whitecaps came close to repeating the following year, but Toronto spoiled the party when Will Johnson capitalized in the dying moments to give them the victory via away goals. That memory may still sting for Vancouver fans, but revenge is not something on the mind of the club.
“Whenever you deal with disappointment in the game, you learn from it,” Robinson offered. “We’re not thinking about revenge. It’s a new day, a new game, with a new set of players.”
Last season was one to remember for soccer fans in Toronto. It started in August when the Reds clinched their fifth of six national titles by defeating Montreal. The club then cruised the rest of the way en route to winning its first MLS Cup. Even though TFC currently sports a 6-11-15 record and sits below the playoff bar in the Eastern Conference, the Whitecaps aren’t about to take their opponent lightly.
Reach Deep Doneil Henry on Whitecaps' big question: 'What can we do to offer this team more?' August 07 2018
Your browser does not support the audio element.
“It’s a great test for us,” Waston said. “We know that if we can close down key players like [Michael] Bradley, [Sebastian] Giovinco and [Jozy] Altidore, we are going to have more chances.”
“Stories are always about the underdogs,” Kamara added. “When you step on the field, it’s 11 versus 11. We respect Toronto, but it’s in our house. We’ve got to rest up and be ready for it.”
Rest is something neither team has had much of entering Wednesday’s meeting. Vancouver is coming off a 2-2 draw on the road last Saturday against NYCFC, while Toronto posted a 2-2 away result against MLS-leading Atlanta United.
While he wouldn’t tip his hand as to what his starting lineup might look like, Robinson will likely lean on Kamara, Reyna, and Alphonso Davies to provide the offence.
“You certainly can’t win [the championship] in the first leg, but you can lose it,” Robinson warned. “The boys are excited to go and play. Sometimes people like an underdog. That’s the mentality we’ll be having.”
All I have to say is that that game went exactly according to plan.
That’s it. Nothing else.
95’ Vancouver Whitecaps 2-2 Toronto FC — AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA breath AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
That's Doneil Henry's fourth goal for #TorontoFC in Canadian Championship play. pic.twitter.com/U4cQLuWZWk — Mitchell Tierney (@mitchelltierney) August 9, 2018
84’ Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Toronto FC — Hurtado finishes off a decent effort from the Whitecaps, and the home team goes in front in the dying stages. Looks like TFC are on the verge of squandering a man advantage...
74’ — Alphonso Davies shows off his incredible pace and leaves TFC’s defenders completely helpless, but Clint Irwin comes up huge to deny the chance — seemed fated for the back of the net.
70’ — Greg Vanney uses his final sub, a little early. Jason Hernandez enters to replace Ashtone Morgan.
64’ — Tough look for Auro, who seemed to pull his left hamstring chasing down an errant pass. Another Canadian comes into the game, with Ryan Telfer slotting in on the left and Morrow moving to the right flank. Auro looks in a lot of pain on the bench.
46’ — After a half, Chris Mavinga will come off for Justin Morrow.
HT — Referee calls for the interval with the score knotted at 1-1. It was an entertaining half, with chances on each side. TFC generally controlled much of the play, although Vancouver was quite dangerous on the counter-attack and through set pieces. That said, it was a moment of carelessness from Tosaint Ricketts that handed the Whitecaps their goal. Oso made up for it and then some a minute later, of course.
45’ — What?! Vancouver midfielder Felipe has been shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Marky Delgado. Honestly, not sure it’s worthy of a sending off, but he catches the TFC midfielder fairly high and misses the ball by a significant margin. Toronto will certainly take it just before halftime.
27’ Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Toronto FC — Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Great work by Auro to win back the ball in the half-space, and a good short cross by Marky Delgado, but an absolutely sublime finish by Jonathan Osorio on the volley gives TFC an away goal. What an unbelievable response from the man now tied with Sebastian Giovinco for TFC’s all-time lead in Canadian Championship goals.
More class from Jonathan Osorio. 1-1 in the Voyageurs Cup final. Great ball from Delgado. #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/STTxKRaYel — Mitchell Tierney (@mitchelltierney) August 9, 2018
24’ Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 Toronto FC — Ref points to the spot as Tosaint Ricketts goes waay out of his way to handle a lofted ball from a corner. Kei Kamara steps up and smashes the penalty off the left post and in.
We still think this was ball to hand...... #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/zinmHBYh4B — Waking the Red (@WakingtheRed) August 9, 2018
19’ — TFC come so close to one of their own, as Michael Bradley’s perfect ball over the top finds Jozy Altidore in the box, but his leaping header bounces wide of the right post.
16’ — A close moments for the Reds as Nick Hagglund does well to run down Kei Kamara and avert the danger — but not for long, as it bounces out to Cristian Techera, who belts one from well outside the box that skims the crossbar.
1’ — We’re off!
At this point, I’m really quite certain that the last few months have been entirely about Toronto FC preparing for the Canadian Championship. Tonight, those preparations come to a head as they kick off Leg 1 of the Voyageurs Cup Final, at BC Place against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
This is an extremely important competition for the Reds, considering how desperate they are to get back to the CONCACAF Champions League, with unfinished business in the continental tournament. Canadian supremacy is always a nice notch in your belt, anyway.
The Whitecaps aren’t going to roll over easily, though. Last time these sides met in the final — 2016 — the Reds needed an injury time winner from Will Johnson in the second leg (no pun intended; he did break his leg on the play) to claim the trophy on away goals. Last season, against the Montreal Impact, the same story: nothing was set until Sebastian Giovinco’s 95th-minute winning goal.
Let’s just hope that this year’s final doesn’t feature a serious injury to a TFC player, like the last two have: there was Johnson’s leg, of course, and who could forget Steven Beitashour’s pancreas laceration last year?
TFC got to this stage by beating the Ottawa Fury 4-0 on aggregate. Vancouver’s path was a little tougher, taking on MLS competition in Montreal. The Whitecaps came back from a 1-0 first-leg deficit to win the thing 2-1 on aggregate, with two goals at home in the second leg.
Vancouver sits four points out of a playoff spot in MLS right now, currently seventh in the Western Conference (and seven points ahead of TFC). They’ve won two of their last seven, although their comeback draw on the weekend against New York City FC was impressive, especially with a rotated squad (in preparation for tonight).
Of course, everyone’s eyes will be on young phenom Alphonso Davies, who’s pretty much a lock to start tonight. TFC have already locked in on him as a major threat to watch, considering how much he’s brutalized MLS defences so far this season (Bayern Munich fans, rejoice). Greg Vanney told Sportsnet that Davies is a player the Reds will need to plan for specifically. He has five goals and eight assists in MLS this year.
There isn’t a lot else around Davies for Vancouver, which is part of the reason why they’re not in a playoff spot. Kei Kamara is a dangerous attacker, especially in the air, with nine goals this year. Cristian Techera also has six goals. The backline is anchored by Kendall Waston and former Red Doneil Henry. That’s a decent defence, but TFC certainly have the quality to break through it.
So, what’ll it be for the Reds? Another resurgent performance in an extremely crucial match? Or will they, too, fall victim to Alphonso Davies?
Hey Vancouver...
Team news: injuries & suspensions
Toronto FC: The only player MLS lists as unavailable is Drew Moor, who is probably a couple days away with his quadriceps strain. Even he could be back for the weekend, though. Chris Mavinga’s suspension won’t apply to the Canadian Championship, so expect him to start.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Defender Jordon Mutch (foot) is the only injured player for the Caps.
How to watch
Match date/time: Wednesday, August 8, 10 p.m. ET
TV channel: TSN 1 & 4 (Canada), RDS 2 (en français)
Live stream: TSN GO, RDS GO
It seems a Canadian Championship game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC can’t happen without drama or controversy.
The latest chapter in their long and tumultuous history played out Wednesday at B.C. Place Stadium with a 2-2 tie in the opening game of the two-leg final for the Voyageurs Cup.
Erik Hurtado, called on as a 67th-minute substitute, slotted home an 84th-minute goal, and appeared to rescue the 10-man Caps just days after doing the same in a 2-2 league tie at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC.
“E-Money” has three goals this season in all competitions, all of them coming after the 80th minute.
But Doneil Henry, who had been a rock on the backline for Vancouver this year, headed a ball past netminder Stefan Marinovic for a 95th-minute own goal, dashing the home side’s hearts and leaving Caps crumpled on the pitch in disbelief.
“I thought the performance was terrific, especially in the second half, when we showed unbelievable character, unbelievable discipline, and were disappointed that we only scored one goal, and then obviously we get kicked in the teeth at the end,” said coach Carl Robinson.
“Really proud of them today. I thought we had to deal with everything … but the effort and the character shown was unbelievable.”
It was like 2016 all over again, when Will Johnson scored an injury-time goal to give TFC the Canadian Championship title on away goals.
The result means the Reds head back to BMO Field with a huge second-leg advantage, tied 2-2 on aggregate with two away goals. The Caps have to win next Wednesday’s rematch in Toronto outright, or tie with at least three goals to advance.
Here’s what else we learned Wednesday:
This tournament, man.
Highlights from a crazy first leg of the #CanChamp Final ⬇ pic.twitter.com/VO71JURpjt — Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) August 9, 2018
Red turns leg on its head
The game, and the two-game series, was upended by a first half injury-time straight red card to Vancouver’s Felipe. Diving in on a tackle on Marco Delgado, he came up wagging his finger at referee Dave Gantar, who was quick with the red — a call that stunned the announced crowd of 16,833.
Replays showed it to be a harsh call, and the officiating crew had to wait for security to escort them off the field when the halftime whistle blew moments later.
Gantar and crew were subjected to a torrent of abuse from the supporters’ section, as well as goaltending coach Stewart Kerr, who took the opportunity during the delay to sternly give them his opinion about the call.
While Robinson was caught on a live microphone in the game’s TV broadcast shouting “You again!” at Gantar, he had to wait until after the game to have his full say, spending the majority of his 10-minute presser railing against an official who has a history with both the Caps and TFC.
The Whitecaps coach vehemently disagreed with the straight red shown to his midfielder and questioned the consistency of the calls, as there were several tackles that went unpunished that were more blatant than the call that went against Felipe. A non-call on Hurtado three kicks before the game-tying own goal was at the top of the list.
“It’s a foul. It’s a clear foul literally in the lead up to play. It was another decision that he got wrong during the game, David Gantar, a key decision at a key moment,” a fumining Robinson said. “We’re talking about good players on the field now; top, top players you see today. You’ve got to get the officiating right, and it clearly wasn’t right today.
“I wish I could tell you in my mind at the moment. He spoiled the game. It’s not a red card, and he’s got that wrong. ‘It’s OK,’ is what I hear all the time. ‘It’s OK, there’s another game.’ But it’s not OK. It’s spoiled a game on live national TV today. Two good teams going at it, and the 12th person has spoiled the game. I’m fuming, as you can tell.
79' – This was a yellow card.
It probably could have been red. The 'Caps are causing TFC all sorts of problems here with 10 men and the crowd is LOVING it. #CanChamp #VWFC pic.twitter.com/HRECiANA1h — Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) August 9, 2018
“We get some terrible bad luck, we get some terrible calls,” he continued, questioning why his young players didn’t get the benefit of the official’s protection.
“That is a foul in the leadup to the goal. And if it was on the other centre-forward on the other team, it would 100 per cent be called a foul. But it’s not, because it’s Erik Hurtado. That’s wrong. Absolutely so wrong. It’s incredible.
“And I keep saying it, I keep talking about it, I keep writing reports about it, and nothing changes. ‘It’s OK, there’s next week.’
“We showed them we’re a good team. They’re a good team, they won an MLS Cup last year, they’ve got good players. But so have we. So it should be a really interesting tie … with whoever is in charge of officiating next week. Hopefully it’s about the teams, rather than … someone else.”
Gantar, a Canadian referee, has been involved in controversy with Toronto before. In 2015, he showed TFC defender Justin Morrow a straight red on a controversial call that the Professional Referee Organization was forced to make a statement of support on. And the year before, he waved off a game-winning injury time goal for Toronto against Chicago with no explanation, with midfielder Michael Bradley and coach Greg Vanney going after him in the tunnel.
“It makes no sense how you can continue to assign Canadian referees when an American team is playing a Canadian team,” Bradley said at the time. “It’s obvious that these guys are going to make an effort to show they’re not biased.
“It’s not the first time we’ve had (Gantar) this year. What can you say? He’s just not good enough.”
Gantar sent off two Whitecaps in the 2009 USL final with Montreal, and also sent Matias Laba to the showers with two yellows in a 2-1 loss to DC United in April 2015.
But the veteran official hasn’t exactly been a red-card machine in 2018, handing out just one expulsion in the nine Major League Soccer games he’s officiated in.
There was no VAR in the game, because it was a non-MLS sanctioned contest.
Blueprint for success
TFC came out in a 3-5-2, following the same defence-first strategy most visitors to B.C. Place employ, daring the Caps to break them down.
The Reds dominated the ball to the tune of 67 per cent in the first half, but broke forward several times on the left, outshooting the home side 3-1 in on-target attempts.
The defensive gremlins that have sunk so many home games for Vancouver bit again in the 26th minute, when the Caps left TFC’s leading scorer Jonathan Osorio unmarked centre-high, and he made them pay with a strong volley for his 15th goal in all competitions.
It deflated a crowd still on a high from Kei Kamara’s goal — and the dance celebration after — just moments earlier.
The Caps’ goal had come after a sustained burst of pressure from Vancouver. On a third consecutive corner, Cristian Techera’s out-swinger was inexplicably handled by Tosaint Ricketts, and Gantar wasted no time pointing to the spot.
Kamara’s stutter-step approach was followed by a rocket off the inside of the top corner, his second Canadian Championship goal of the season, and making him a perfect 5-for-5 on penalty kicks this season.
Davies watch
Alphonso Davies had a strong, if unspectacular evening, being faced with two defenders every time he got the ball wide. He had the opportunity to unleash a few of his trademark runs, all the time being clutched and grabbed.
His best moment occurred in the 75th minute when he stormed down the right flank, cutting between two outside defenders, two more inside, and firing a left-footed shot that forced Irwin into a diving save.
He went down with cramps in the 84th minute, replaced by Brek Shea.
This tournament, man.
Highlights from a crazy first leg of the #CanChamp Final ⬇ pic.twitter.com/VO71JURpjt — Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) August 9, 2018
League of their own
Both teams have important MLS fixtures this weekend, with the Whitecaps travelling south to take on the Portland Timbers — who are 11-0-4 since their last loss on April 9 — while Toronto returns home to host NYCFC in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. Both Toronto and Vancouver are currently below water in the playoff race.
“We have a great game on Saturday against a really good team. I’m sure we’ll be the underdog again. They’re in good form at the moment,” said Robinson. “We need freshness and energy against a team that hasn’t lost in 15 games.”
That freshness won’t include Bernie Ibini, who mutually parted ways with the club this week, and will join UAE Pro League team Emirates Club. He never found any traction with the Caps, scoring just once in 25 appearances with the team, despite being the ninth-highest paid player on the team at $304,000 US.
The move clears the space in under the salary cap for the team to bring in El Salvadorian centreback Roberto Dominquez, who had his contract mutually terminated by his team, Santa Tecla. His move will be a free transfer, and the 21-year-old will join the team through the remainder of the season with an option for 2019, according to MLSsoccer.com.
jadams@postmedia.com
NEXT GAME
Saturday
Vancouver Whitecaps at Portland Timbers
8 p.m., Providence Park, TSN 1/4, TSN 1040 AM
CLICK HERE to report a typo.
Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com
