VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps are the winners of the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship.
A 2-0 win on the night gave Vancouver a 4-2 aggregate win over the Montreal Impact, to lift their first ever Voyageurs Cup and clinch a place in next season's CONCACAF Champions League.
A first half tap-in from Octavio Rivero sent the Whitecaps on their way, with Tim Parker doubling their advantage with a powerful header early in the second.
Vancouver came out flying and Kekuta Manneh forced a one handed save from Eric Kronberg in the second minute, after linking up well with Cristian Techera.
The Whitecaps continued to take the game to the visitors, coming close but without forcing the Impact 'keeper into too much action. Montreal's best chance came on a 4-on-2 break that came to nothing.
Vancouver were in the ascendancy and their task was made easier on the half hour mark when Victor Cabrera saw red for a second bookable offence after bringing down Rivero on the edge of the box.
The Whitecaps finally got their breakthrough five minutes before halftime.
Techera had been a thorn in the Impact's side all night and he raced in on goal again only to see his shot saved by Kronberg. As the ball bounced towards the goal, Rivero made sure, firing home from one yard out.
Manneh started the second half as he did the first, forcing Kronberg into a fine save two minutes in, as Vancouver continued where they left off.
The 'Caps added a second in the 53rd minute when Parker rose unchallenged to head home a Pedro Morales corner and effectively ending the game as a contest.
Montreal came close to pulling back a late consolation, but young Canadian sub Anthony Jackson-Hamel shot wide.
The Whitecaps should have made it three in stoppage time but Manneh's low shot was straight at Kronberg after a quick counter.
The final whistle was to soon follow, sparking jubilant scenes at BC Place amongst the home players and supporters.
Both teams return to MLS action on Saturday, with Montreal facing another Canadian derby away to Toronto as part of Heineken Rivalry Week (4 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in US), while Vancouver travel to Houston looking to bolster their Supporters' Shield hopes (9 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in US).
