Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Montreal Impact 0 | Canadian Championship Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

Vancouver Whitecaps FC will return to the Canadian Championship final for the first time since 2016, after defeating the Montreal Impact 2-0 at BC Place on Wednesday in the second leg of the semifinal, to advance with a 2-1 series aggregate win.

Yordy Reyna tied up the series and opened the scoring in the game in the 19th minute, as he slotted in the shot off Jake Nerwinski's assist.

Just before the hour mark, Whitecaps defender Marcel de Jong drew a penalty from Shamit Shome, and Kei Kamara converted the spot kick to give Vancouver the series lead. It looked like the Whitecaps would extend their lead, but Montreal goalkeeper Clement Diop made a fantastic save on the line to block Cristian Techera's slam and keep hope alive. In the end, however, Vancouver prevailed.

The Whitecaps will play Toronto FC in the 2018 Canadian Championship final, with the first leg coming on August 8.

Goals

19' – VAN – Yordy Reyna
60' – VAN – Kei Kamara

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The game was a decent showing from both sides, but Vancouver had the killer edge at home and are trying to add to their lone Voyageurs Cup triumph, in 2015. The Impact will be disappointed but can focus on the chase to reach the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Reyna's goal didn't win the series, but the early goal helped turn the tide in Vancouver's favor, which they didn't relinquish.

A closer look at Reyna's opener. #VWFC #CanChamp pic.twitter.com/dAiTp3cSIv
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) July 26, 2018

MAN OF THE MATCH: Reyna did most of his damage in the first half, but he ran Montreal's lineup ragged in that time, tied up the series, and helped the Whitecaps flip the series around in the second leg.