Vancouver vs. Vancouver: Whitecaps, VFC to battle in Canadian Championship final

History will be made when the Canadian Championship final is played on Wednesday.

What remains to be seen is which Vancouver soccer team will find its name in the record books.

The host Vancouver Whitecaps have an opportunity to become the first team in the tournament's modern era to hoist the Voyageurs Cup four years in a row.

Vancouver FC will try to stop them and become the first Canadian Premier League team to win the title.

"Obviously, it's a chance for us to show what we feel we're really about on the biggest stage possible," said VFC captain Callum Irving.

Toronto FC is the only team that has won four straight Canadian Championship titles, accomplishing the feat between 2009 and 2012.

Founded in 2008, the tournament featured just three teams until 2011, when FC Edmonton joined. The format expanded in 2019 with the addition of six CPL teams, and this year's iteration includes 15 teams across six leagues.

The Whitecaps are the heavy favourites to lift the Cup once again this year.

Not only are the 'Caps three-time reigning champs, the club also heads into the match sitting second in Major League Soccer's Western Conference (16-6-9) and boasting a raft of top talent, including German soccer legend Thomas Muller.

Outside expectations bring their own challenges, Muller noted.

"Everybody knows that this is only one game. It's a sudden death. And then maybe the pressure comes up. And so things can happen during a game," said the attacking midfielder. "That's what it is, and that's what we have to deal with.

"But I feel that we are ready for it. We are ready for it, and so I'm not scared. I have no doubts that we are ready for this challenge. But it will be a challenge, 100 per cent."

Muller, too, has a shot at hitting a