Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montreal open Canadian Championship semifinal with 1-1 draw

The ‘Caps are the tournament’s defending champions and have hoisted the Voyageurs Cup four years in a row. No team has claimed five straight Canadian Championship titles.

The two Major League Soccer clubs are set to face off in the second leg of the two-game aggregate series in Montreal on Sept. 16.

The other Canadian Championship semifinal began Tuesday with Forge FC and FC Supra du Quebec battling to a 1-1 draw in Laval, Que. The two Canadian Premier League sides will meet again in Hamilton on Sept. 15.

The Canadian Championship final is scheduled for Oct. 21.

Montreal opened the scoring in the 16th minute Wednesday when Pereira picked a ball off of Oliver Larraz in the centre circle and chipped a quick shot up. The ball sailed over Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer as he tried to sprint back into position, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Gauld came close to equalizing in the 28th minute off a free kick just above the penalty area.

The Scottish midfielder sent a cannon of a shot soaring toward the net, only to see Breza tip it away.

Fabian Herbers briefly appeared to give Montreal a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute when he put a sliding shot into the Vancouver goal, but it was quickly waived for being offside. The call was upheld after video review.

Three minutes later, Breza came up big once again, diving across the goal line to turn away an Edier Ocampo shot at the post.

Vancouver controlled 66 per cent of possession across the first half and outshot Montreal 8-3 with a 2-1 edge in on-target shots, but trailed 1-0 heading into the break.

Another free kick gave the ‘Caps a prime opportunity in the 68th minute.

Thomas Muller’s attempt hit a player in Montreal’s wall but Breza followed the deflected ball and made a stop.

Montreal’s attack wasted no time turning the play up the field, and newly acquired Alexis Sanchez tapped a backdoor shot in past Boehmer. The goal was again called offside.

The Whitecaps finally found their equalizer in the 72nd when Caicedo sprinted along the wing, leaving his defender in the dust, and sent a pass into Gauld, who ticked a quick shot in past Breza to make it 1-1.

Caicedo — who came off the bench for Emmanuel Sabbi in the 66th minute — showed his speed again in the 78th minute, collecting a ball in the midfield and darting in for a chance before falling inside the penalty area.

The Ecuadorean had another opportunity deep into stoppage time with a shot from the top of the area that went just wide of the post.

UP NEXT

Whitecaps: Host the L.A. Galaxy in MLS play on Saturday.

CF Montreal: Visit the Philadelphia Union in MLS action on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 2, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montreal open Canadian Championship semifinal with 1-1 draw

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