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Vancouver takes down Toronto FC in Canadian Championship to win Voyageurs Cup

The Vancouver Whitecaps earned some redemption on Tuesday.

After years of struggling in the Canadian Championship, the club ultimately lifted the Voyageurs Cup after defeating Toronto FC in the final.

Winning the tournament has long been a goal for the Whitecaps, said head coach Vanni Sartini.

“We said from Day 1 that the Canadian Championship was one of our important trophies. We didn’t do well in the previous years. And it means everything because we are a very good team,” he said after his side beat Toronto 5-3 on penalties.

“So today, we will remind everyone that we are 100 per cent a very good team. We are not the team who’s considered an elite killer. So winning a trophy for us is really important.”

Tuesday marked just the second time the ‘Caps have won the Canadian Championship, following their triumph in 2015. They had not been in the final since 2018.

“Any time you get a trophy, it’s awesome,” said Vancouver striker Brian White. “Toronto’s a good team and we struggled in this tournament in years past. So it means a lot for the club, for the fans to bring this trophy home.”

Toronto has taken the title eight times. Earlier this year, the team won the pandemic-delayed 2020 iteration when they defeated Forge FC in the final.

The Whitecaps beat Canadian Premier League clubs Valour FC, Cavalry FC and York United to earn a spot in this year’s final.

Toronto had a bye in the first round, then downed the CPL’s Halifax Wanderers and Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal.

Toronto dominated 71.2 per cent of the possession on Tuesday and outshot the home side 18-14, including 6-5 in on-target shots, but it was Vancouver that had the better opportunities.

With the score knotted at 1-1 after 90 minutes of play, the game went to a penalty shootout.

“I was confident and I was also a little bit pissed. Because I think we deserved to win,” Sartini said of going to penalties.

Ryan Gauld was up first for the ‘Caps and the Scottish designated player sent a shot sailing into the top corner of the net.

“My thought on penalties is always before you step up, choose a site and don’t change your mind, don’t hesitate, be confident,” said Gauld, who was named MVP of the game. “And if the `keeper ends up saving it then merit to him. But as long as long as it went in.”

Domenico Criscito took the first kick for Toronto and fired a ball past Vancouver ‘keeper Cody Cropper.

White then stutter stepped to fake out TFC ‘keeper Alex Bono and blasted a low shot into the right corner.

Toronto’s Jordan Perruzza took advantage of Cropper’s early dive on the next attempt and put a ball into the opposite side of the goal.

Wingback Julian Gressel took the third shot for Vancouver, hitting Bono’s outstretched hand as he fired a shot into the corner.

Next, Cropper sent a low shot by Canadian Jonathan Osorio into the post to give the ‘Caps an edge.

Vancouver’s designated player Andres Cubas followed the save with a blast past Bono.

Federico Bernardeschi kept Toronto’s hopes alive, patiently waiting for his shot then rolling a ball into the net.

Tristan Blackmon scored the game-clincher. The crowd erupted as the ‘Caps defender fired a quick shot past Bono for the victory.

On the sidelines, Sartini stripped off his black “Home is Vancouver” T-shirt and whipped it around his head as he ran on to the field.

Stepping up for the penalty kick was a funny feeling, Blackmon said.

“I kind of thought it would end that way when I was fifth,” he said. “And it was on the plate for me to go at it. And luckily I tucked it in.” The Whitecaps will be back in action on Saturday when they visit Nashville SC. Toronto FC will take on the Revolution in New England the same night.

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