Whitecaps secure fourth straight Voyageurs Cup in 604 Derby showdown
The Vancouver Whitecaps have once again etched their name into Canadian soccer history, lifting the Voyageurs Cup for the fourth year in a row. On a lively Wednesday night at BC Place, the Whitecaps outclassed Vancouver FC in the first-ever “604 Derby,” sealing a 4-2 victory in the Canadian Championship final.
From the opening whistle, the home side looked determined to set the tone. Just five minutes in, Ali Ahmed fired the Whitecaps ahead. After receiving a pass from Thomas Müller, Ahmed danced past his marker and drilled a low shot into the corner. Less than five minutes later, the crowd was on its feet again when Ahmed drew a foul in the box. The referee wasted no time pointing to the spot, and Müller — calm as ever — stepped up. His penalty strike found the net off the post, marking not just a crucial goal for the ‘Caps, but the 300th of his storied career. With that moment, Müller also claimed his 35th career trophy, cementing his place as the most decorated German player in history.
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But the night wasn’t going to be all one-way traffic. Vancouver FC, the underdogs from the Canadian Premier League, showed resilience. In the 35th minute, Thierno Bah broke free on a counterattack and slotted the ball past Whitecaps keeper Isaac Boehmer. The visitors had cut the deficit to 2-1 and were briefly back in the contest. That hope was short-lived, however, as Ahmed struck again just a minute later, finishing off a rebound to restore the two-goal cushion.
The biggest cheer of the night came in the 79th minute, when Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld returned to the pitch after more than six months sidelined with injury. The Scottish midfielder wasted no time making his presence felt. Just four minutes after coming on, Gauld scored with a composed right-footed strike, sending the stadium into celebration. His goal put the Whitecaps firmly in control at 4-1.
Still, Vancouver FC managed to grab a late consolation. Nicolas Mezquida, once a Whitecaps midfielder himself, found the net in the 85th minute, closing the score at 4-2. Despite that, the night clearly belonged to the Whitecaps, who dominated possession with 74 percent and outshot their local rivals 19-4.
With this win, Vancouver matched Toronto FC’s record of four consecutive Canadian Championship titles, a feat TFC achieved from 2009 to 2012. The victory also earned the Whitecaps a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, keeping their international ambitions alive.
For the fans inside BC Place — more than 18,000 strong — it was more than just another trophy. It was a statement of legacy. The Whitecaps weren’t just defending champions; they were a team intent on building an era. As the MLS regular season continues this weekend against San Jose, one thing is clear: the Blue and White are chasing even bigger dreams.
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