Vancouver Whitecaps beat Vancouver FC, win 4th straight Canadian Championship

Thomas Müller signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps because he wanted to chase championships. 

He and the 'Caps earned another title Wednesday, downing Vancouver FC 4-2 to win the Canadian Championship for the fourth year in a row. 

"It's very good to get this winning feeling, to confirm that we are able, not to win trophies, but to sustain in tough moments," Müller said. "I know maybe the Canadian Championship, we won it now four years in a row. And you also play against teams that are in lower leagues. But, you still have to finish the job."

It was a historic win for the Whitecaps, who play in Major League Soccer, marking the first time in the tournament's modern era that a team has hoisted the Voyageurs Cup four years in a row. 

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

"It feels like each year it gets better,' said Whitecaps midfielder Ali Ahmed. "We're stoked. We're happy."

Ahmed was named the tournament's most valuable player after scoring twice in Wednesday's final. Müller had a goal and an assist for Vancouver, and Ryan Gauld — playing his first game in nearly seven months — rounded out the scoring. 

Thierno Bah and Nicolas Mezquida each had a goal and an assist for CPL side Vancouver FC.

The Whitecaps were dominant from the start and controlled 74 per cent of possession across the game. The team outshot the visiting Vancouver FC 20-4, with a 7-2 edge in on-target shots. 

VFC's interim head coach, Martin Nash, was proud of his team's effort. 

"The guys never gave up," he said. "We pressed them in moments.