The Vancouver Whitecaps have won their second consecutive Canadian Championship, defeating CF Montreal 2-1. The match was played at B.C. Place, where the Whitecaps celebrated with their fans as they lifted the trophy. Head coach Vanni Sartini could not contain his excitement and led the team in celebrating the victory.
Ryan Gauld scored the winning goal off a penalty kick in the 65th minute of the match. Gauld said that he had decided where to place his penalty before the match. The head coach, Sartini, expressed his elation after the match saying that “We’re over the moon.” He stripped off his shirt on television after someone had drenched him in Gatorade.
The lone goal for CF Montreal came in the 83rd minute from forward Sunusi Ibrahim. Defender Tristan Blackmon failed to clear the ball in his team’s box and allowed Ibrahim to score past goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
Brian White opened the scoring for the Whitecaps in the 57th minute off an error from Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
Sartini lauded the performance of his team and praised their belief in his process. For him, winning the championship was even more satisfying than winning the cup itself.
Despite Montreal’s defeat, head coach Hernan Losada praised the young squad and deemed it a learning experience for them. The Whitecaps outshot Montreal 20-9, with the Quebec side leaving it until late to threaten Takaoka’s goal.
The Best Young Canadian Player Award was presented to midfielder Ali Ahmed by Canada men’s head coach John Herdman. The award ceremony was also graced by Jason de Vos, former national team player, who presented the George Gross Most Valuable Player Award to Julian Gressel.
Sartini, who signed as head coach in 2021, expressed his desire to continue in his role.
After the match, the Whitecaps staff, players, and their families gathered on the pitch to take a photo to commemorate their victory.
This report was first published on June 7, 2023, by The Canadian Press.
