Even after earning yet another spot in the Canadian Championship final, the Vancouver Whitecaps are not taking anything for granted.
The 'Caps — who've hoisted the Voyageurs Cup three years in a row — are headed back to the tournament's decisive game after blanking Forge FC 4-0 in the second leg of a semifinal matchup on Tuesday.
Vancouver beat the Canadian Premier League 6-2 on aggregate after the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw on Aug. 13.
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The victory wasn't guaranteed, though, said 'Caps head coach Jesper Sorensen.
“We've seen enough soccer games, all of us, to know that things can happen. Things can go another way," he said.
“I think you have to get there, you have to play the games. You have to be ready whenever the opportunity is there. And there's not room for many errors in games like this."
The Whitecaps will host either Atletico Ottawa or Vancouver FC — both of the CPL — in the final on Oct. 1.
Vancouver topped Atletico 3-1 in the first leg of that semifinal series, and the second game is set for Thursday in Ottawa.
Toronto FC is the only club to have won the Canadian Championship four years in a row, accomplishing the feat between 2009 and 2012.
Founded in 2008, the tournament featured just three teams until 2011, when FC Edmonton joined. The format expanded in 2019 with the addition of six CPL teams, and this year's iteration includes 15 teams across six leagues.
The 'Caps spoke at length ahead of the game about what can go wrong when facing a team from a lower league, Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said after Tuesday's win.
“We know they have nothing to lose," he said. "So we just came out there and tried to play our game and not worry about what they're doing, just focus on us. And it worked well.”
The Whitecaps, who play in Major League Soccer, were the dominant side from the start on Tuesday.
The home side controlled 57 per cent of possession across the game and outshot the visitors 22-8, with a 9-2 edge in on-target shots.
Tristan Blackmon opened the scoring in the seventh minute, off a corner kick, and J.C. Ngando doubled Vancouver's lead in the 29th minute with a right-footed blast from the top of the penalty area.
An undisciplined foul early in the second half proved costly for Forge.
As Berhalter swung in a corner in the 48th minute, 'Caps defender Belal Halbouni was pulled to the turf by Forge's Marko Jevremovic, a move that didn't go unnoticed by referee Michael Venne.
The official was quick to blow his whistle and point at the penalty spot.
Berhalter stepped up to take the kick and sent the ball sailing in over Forge's keeper Jassem Koleilat to make it 3-0 in the 49th minute.
Small details marked the difference throughout the game, said Forge head coach Bobby Smymiotis.
"You give up a goal early on a set piece. That's a small detail," he said.
"In that first half, you need to be able to score, to be able to get that to just stay away from the small mistakes. So we had some confidence entering the second half, that we knew we're going to be able to create those situations. And then we get that sucker punch in the 48th minute that makes this game difficult against what is a very good team.”
Rayan Elloumi came off the bench to set up the final goal, slicing a pass across the six-yard box to Jayden Nelson. The Canadian midfielder tapped in a shot to give the 'Caps a 4-0 advantage in the 85th minute.
Despite the loss, Forge forward Tristan Borges saw positives throughout his team's run in the tournament.
"We've done well this year and a lot of things to look at and be proud of," he said. "Obviously, right now, in the moment, it's a little bit tough, and it stings in the moment.
"But, yeah, so proud of the group. We've put a lot of great performances on, and it's just learning from it and building on it and looking forward to next year.”
NOTES
Vancouver lost defender Tristan Blackmon in the 82nd minute after he went down with a knee injury. Sorensen said it will take the club "a couple of days" to determine the extent of the injury. … The Whitecaps boast a 15-7-6 record in MLS play, and Forge sit atop the CPL standings with a 14-2-7 record. … Star midfielder Thomas Müller did not come off the bench for the 'Caps. … An announced crowd of 10,752 took in the game at B.C. Place.
UP NEXT
Forge: Take on Atletico Ottawa in CPL action on Sunday.
Whitecaps: Return to MLS play Saturday when they visit Sporting Kansas City.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2025.
