The Vancouver Whitecaps won their third consecutive Canadian Championship title, defeating Toronto FC 0-0 (4-2 on penalties) in the final at BC Place on Wednesday.
Defender Bjorn Utvik scored the decisive penalty kick for Vancouver with a shot toward the left side of the net in the fifth round kick.
Goalie Isaac Boehmer stopped seven shots on target for the ‘Caps and Sean Johnson made two saves for TFC.
Toronto had a commanding lead throughout the game, but Boehmer made a series of crucial saves, including stopping a penalty kick on Toronto star Federico Bernardeschi in the 38th minute.
Vancouver defeated Canadian Premier League team Pacific FC 2-0 in the semifinals of the tournament to advance to the finals.
Having lifted the Voyageurs Cup for the fourth time in their history, the Whitecaps are now guaranteed a spot in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League tournament.
Bernardeschi said the ‘Caps were tough to handle from the opening moments.
30 seconds into the match, the Italian fired a rocket with his left foot and Bomer escaped danger.
Toronto controlled much of the first half while Vancouver had trouble connecting on passes early on.
Boehmer was held scoreless for 21 minutes after Bernardeschi set up Richie Laryea for a goal. The Canadian defender took a quick shot toward the net, only to see it knocked down by Boehmer.
Vancouver settled into the game and had their golden opportunity in the 34th minute when Brian White and Fafa Picault broke through the Toronto defense. The two ran to the penalty area, and White went down without a call.
A few minutes later, TFC was awarded a penalty kick after Whitecaps defenseman Mathias Laborda brought down Laryea near the goal line.
When Bernardeschi fired the shot, the crowd of 12,516 booed loudly. After taking a few steps, he fired a left-foot kick into the net and punched the ball as Boehmer jumped, drawing ecstatic cheers.
After 45 minutes in the first half, the score remained at 0-0 as both teams headed to the locker room. In the first half, Toronto controlled 71% of possession and outscored Vancouver 3-1 in shots on target, but the ‘Caps held a 6-5 advantage in total shots.
The away team entered the second half with renewed energy.
TFC appeared to be looking for a scoring opportunity in the 53rd minute when unmanned Laria received the ball inside the penalty area. Boehmer came wide off his line to challenge and when Laryea sent the ball rolling towards the net, the ‘keeper got his hands on it for another save.
With neither side in regulation, the game went to a penalty shootout and Vancouver won for the third time in a row.
