The Vancouver Whitecaps may have been on the defensive for much of the game, but they came through the other side to hoist the Voyageurs Cup in the Canadian Championship for the third time in a row.
Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer saved a penalty in the first half in what was the young Canadian’s best performance in the shirt to give his side the win.
Toronto FC, led by head coach John Herdman, gave a solid performance and were the dominant team for much of the match, but they were unable to find the back of the net, a problem they have had for over the last 300 minutes of play.
When asked what this trophy meant in comparison to the Canadian Championship wins in 2022 and 2023, Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini called it, “the victory of love.”
“Everyone was pulling for each other because even in a day where we didn’t play well; [Toronto FC] played better than us. TFC deserved to win this game. Let’s be honest about it. But we fought, we fought, we fought,” Sartini said.
Toronto wasted little time in setting the tone in the early stage of the game. Playing mainly through Federico Bernardeschi, the Italian playmaker was the one orchestrating Toronto’s attacking movement.
The Whitecaps settled into the match around the 10-minute mark. A shot on target from Sam Adekugbe as well as poor passing on the part of Toronto’s defence enabled the home side to gain confidence.
A switch from their consistently used back 3 to a back 4 also helped keep Toronto from using the width of Bernardeschi and Richie Laryea to such good effect. Toronto attempted to counter by moving Bernardeschi centrally, but he found difficulty with Andrés Cubas playing so close to him.
“They were moving the ball too fast for us. We weren’t able to press. And it was so easy for them to serve Bernardeschi, and so that’s the reason why we changed and go and went back 4 defensively. And I think that paid off.”
Penalty shouts rang in the 34th minute as Brian White was brought down in Toronto’s 18-yard box. Fafà Picault’s ball into the striker was started by a brilliant pass up the right from Adekgube, but referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin did not give the call in favour of the Whitecaps.
But a penalty was given only a few minutes later. Mathías Laborda brought down. Laryea in the 18-yard box in what was a clear penalty. And though it was the right call, fans in BC Place were not pleased based on the non-call that had transpired earlier.
Sartini lamented the missed penalty on White but was quick to concede that Laborda was “naive” and that Toronto’s penalty “was a clear penalty for them.”
Bernardeschi stepped up to the spot for the kick, but Boehmer guessed right and stopped the Italian to keep the game at a nil draw.
Toronto began the second half much like they started the first, in command and dictating the play. They had two decent opportunities in the first five minutes while the Whitecaps fought to get any sort of touch on the ball.
The Whitecaps continued with the back 4 when they were in the defensive phase but would quickly switch to their back 3 to get numbers up the pitch when in attack. However, it was rare they found themselves in attack.
Neither side could break the deadlock in 90 minutes, which meant that penalties were required to figure out the winner.
The Whitecaps converted four of their penalties to take the win. Bjørn Inge Utvik stepped up last for the final one to seal the win and the Voyageurs Cup for the Whitecaps for the third time in a row.
A miss from Matty Longstaff and Boehmer’s save on Kosi Thompson meant that Utvik’s penalty did not require a final kick from Toronto.
Boehmer takes tournament MVP and the Best Young Canadian Player
Without Boehmer’s penalty save in the 38th minute, this match would have had a different look to it.
Sartini said the decision to start Boehmer over first goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka was made in January.
“We saw last year that Isaac was doing really well and was playing really well. But of course, if you’re the goalkeeper, it’s really hard to come in. So, at the beginning of the season, I told Isaac…[you] will play the Canadian Championship. And he will have to gain every game the right to play the next game”
Boehmer was a calm presence throughout the game, racking up seven saves (including the penalty), 87 per cent passing accuracy and three recoveries.
Sartini also mentioned Canadian Men’s National Team head coach Jesse Marsch and said he hoped “Jesse watched the game.”
“I think there’s not too many Canadian goalkeepers better than [Isaac].”
Toronto’s party spoiled
Toronto dominated large parts of the match, but they were unable to break down Vancouver’s defence or get anything behind Boehmer.
The visitors had 65 per cent possession, more than triple the number of shots on target, better passing and looked the team most likely to carry away the trophy.
But the only stat that mattered at the end of the day was which team got the most penalties.
“I thought we performed enough to get a result in 90 minutes. But unfortunately not enough to take the chances we had and put ourselves in that hole, which is penalties. That’s going to be a lottery” Herdman said.
He had much to say about his opponent, calling the Whitecaps “resilient” side.
“They’ve got great team spirit,” Herdman said. “They’ve been together for two, three years now. And you can see there’s a camaraderie in the team. They’re hard to beat. [Sartini’s] go to be proud of his lads tonight.”
Up next
There is no time to rest for the Whitecaps. It’s a two-day break and they are back at it in another important match. Portland Timbers come to BC Place for a Western Conference derby with Cascadia Cup implications as well.
That match is Saturday, Sept. 28. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.