Despite all their recent domination in the Canadian championship, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC takes nothing for the final on Wednesday against the Rivals of Crosstown Vancouver FC (10 p.m. and | Tsn, OneOoccer).
The triple reigning champion can make it a four peat trips in this unprecedented derby in British Columbia who will showcase a finalist of the Canadian Premier League for the second time in the history of the tournament.
“It’s a big night for us, but it may even be a bigger night for the Vancouver FC,” said head coach of the Whitecaps Jesper Sørensen on Monday. “I think it was a great success that they have reached the final.
“… It is just to say that they have much more to gain than to lose, but on the other hand, I think that we also have a lot to gain. So, I think it’s up to us to make sure that this great surprise will not be in this game.”
Tested
Beyond the silverware at stake, the Canadian championship also gives an automatic place to the CONCACAF 2026 Champions Cup. The Whitecaps want nothing more than to secure their place in the continental competition, after a finalist this year.
The lessons learned from this remarkable race, which ended with a defeat of 5-0 at Liga MX Titans Cruz Azul, will be visible when the Whitecaps take the ground on Wednesday evening.
“The approach, of course, may be slightly different from the approach we had against Cruz Azul, where we also played and played both against an opponent and also some circumstances, playing Mexico and at altitude to which we are not used to,” said Sørensen.
“Now we are more used to the field and play at home. We are going to go there and not wait for seconds to try to be the best team of the game. We will try to do it from the start.”
White, Gauld in the mixture?
What is less clear is how Sørensen will deploy his departure XI for the final. Ravaled by injuries throughout the season, Whitecaps can again run players – including the top scorer Brian White.
The USMNT striker left the draw 2-2 to 2-2 at FC de Seattle Sounders with an apparent problem with the hamstrings, during his second appearance since he missed a month due to an injury.
“Brian, I have no update yet,” said Sørensen. “We have to understand how bad it was. It didn’t seem so bad, but we have to see.”
The good news is that Captain Ryan Gauld, who has gone away since March with a knee injury, could make the match team for the first time in more than six months.
“Ryan, it is possible that he can be in the rotation, in the team on Wednesday,” said Sørensen. “We haven’t excluded this.”
Müller date with history
Fortunately for Sørensen, the Summer Summer Summer of Thomas Müller is in good shape and impatiently awaits his first final with the Whitecaps.
A victory would give Müller his 35th career title, making him the most decorated German player of all time. Raumdeut is currently in terms of level with its compatriot winner of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and former teammate of Bayern Munich, Toni Kroos.
“It may be my 35th title. I do not play for the titles, I play for competition, to compete for the titles,” said Müller. “Surely, in the end, you want to do it to present your fans and the crowd of silverware and to have a party. But in the end, I do not focus on history. I focus on this feeling of victory.”
Like Sørensen, Müller refuses to underestimate an opponent currently last in the CPL ranking and play his very first tournament final.
“I think we are ready for that. We are ready for that,” said Müller. “So I’m not afraid or no doubt, I have no doubt that we are ready for this challenge. But it will be a 100%challenge.”
