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Whitecaps look to break Toronto FC’s run in Canadian championship final

CapsTFC (Reuters Pictures)

Meeting in the finals of the Canadian championship is nothing new for Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have tangled for the right to hoist the Voyageurs Cup in each of the last three years. Even though Toronto FC has won all three of those meetings, one look at the MLS standings would suggest that it might just be the Whitecaps' year to break the hex and earn their first berth in the CONCACAF Champions League.

The Whitecaps host the first leg of the Canadian championship at BC Place Wednesday night (10 p.m., Rogers Sportsnet), after resting a number of key players including Jay DeMerit and Camilo over the weekend in preparation for the domestic title series. Vancouver is 5-3-2 in league play and coasted by NASL side FC Edmonton to reach the final.

TFC, meanwhile, is 0-8-0 in league play, but non-MLS competition has provided a different story. The Reds are 2-1-3 outside of MLS this year, with both wins and two ties coming against MLS teams in the Los Angeles Galaxy and Montreal Impact in the CCL and the semifinals of this tournament, respectively.

TFC receive a boost by the return of Designated Player striker Danny Koevermans, who has missed time with a groin injury, but the Reds will be without DP midfielder Torsten Frings, who did not accompany the team to Vancouver with a shoulder injury.

This will also be the second championship that the two sides will have battled for this year, as they met in the finals of the preseason Disney World Pro Soccer Classic tournament, with Vancouver beating a reserve- and youth-laden Toronto side 1-0 on March 3.

Here are video previews from both teams ahead of the final:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os_RT3PIXBA]

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Do you think TFC can stretch its run of Canadaian titles to four? Or is this the year Vancouver breaks through and wins it all?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The Canadian teams cannot qualify for the CCL through MLS play.

    So in your scenario, I suppose the spots would go to whoever Vancouver and Toronto beat in the semis, and whoever was closest to Montreal for the SS (who was not Canadian or one of the defeated semifinalists).

    Like how RSL got a spot for the 2012/13 competition despite not winning the SS, Open Cup, or making the MLS Cup final, because LA had qualified for 2 spots and RSL was next-best after LA.

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  2. In that scenario, the 4 US representatives would be the top 3 MLS regular season finishers (based in US), plus the US Open Cup champ.

    The Canadian rep would be Montreal.

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  3. I think in the interest of TFC’s MLS season it’s best they lose. More focus is needed on making the playoffs (even if it’s far-fetched)

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  4. Just realized how confusing that is.
    Example.
    Vancouver vs Toronto in Finals.
    Montreal wins Supporter shield.

    Montreal beats Edmonton in Canadian Championship

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  5. Question.
    Though highly impossible. If all Canadian teams qualify to CONCACAF Champions League through MLS spots (League and/or MLS Finals spots) and one of the Canadian MLS teams wins the Canadian Championship.

    What happens?
    Would the Runner up of the Canadian Championship (which could be a non MLS team) get the spot?

    sorry for the wording lol.

    Reply

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