Vancouver Whitecaps beat Forge FC 4-0 to book spot in Canadian Championship final

By Canadian Press on September 16, 2025.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps are headed back to the Canadian Championship final for the fourth year in a row.

Sebastian Berhalter converted a penalty kick and contributed an assist as the ‘Caps blanked Forge FC of Hamilton 4-0 in the second leg of a semifinal matchup on Tuesday. The aggregate score of the series was 6-2 after the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw on Aug. 13.

Tristan Blackmon, J.C. Ngando and Jayden Nelson also scored for the three-time defending champions on Tuesday, while Isaac Boehmer made one save for the clean sheet.

Vancouver, a Major League Soccer club, was the dominant side from the start, controlling 57 per cent of possession across the game and outshooting Canadian Premier League side Forge 23-6, with a 9-1 edge in on-target shots.

The tournament’s other semifinal, featuring CPL sides Atletico Ottawa and Vancouver FC, will conclude Thursday. Vancouver holds a 3-1 advantage after the first leg.

The Whitecaps will host the final at B.C. Place on Oct. 1.

Toronto FC is the only club to have won the tournament four years in a row, accomplishing the feat between 2009 and 2012.

Only three teams competed in the Canadian Championship until 2011 when FC Edmonton joined. The format expanded in 2019 with the addition of six CPL teams and this year’s iteration included 15 teams across six different leagues.

The ‘Caps were quick to get their offence going Tuesday, striking off a set play in the seventh minute.

Berhalter stepped up to take a corner kick and sent the ball swinging into the back post. Blackmon headed it down and in for his fifth goal of the year across all competitions.

Ngando made it 2-0 in the 29th minute with a right-footed blast from the top of the penalty area that pinged off the post and into the back of the net.

Forge had a prime chance to respond in the 33rd minute when forward Nana Ampomah fired a shot from the side of the penalty area. Boehmer calmly jumped up to collect the ball.

The home side’s offensive onslaught continued in the second half with a penalty kick.

As Berhalter swung in another corner in the 48th minute, ‘Caps defender Belal Halbouni was pulled to the turf by Forge’s Marko Jevremovic, a move that didn’t go unnoticed by referee Michael Venne.

The official was quick to blow his whistle and point at the penalty spot.

Berhalter stepped up to take the kick and sent the ball sailing in over Forge’s ‘keeper Jassem Koleilat to make it 3-0 in the 49th minute.

There was bad news for Vancouver late in the game when Blackmon went down with an apparent knee injury after vying for a loose ball.

Trainers came out to take a look at the veteran defender before he was subbed off for Mathias Laborda. Blackmon did not appear to be putting weight on his right leg as he left the field.

Rayan Elloumi gave fans something to cheer about moments later. The homegrown midfielder sliced a pass across the six-yard box to Nelson, who tapped in a goal to give the ‘Caps a 4-0 advantage in the 85th minute.

NOTES

The Whitecaps boast a 15-7-6 record in MLS play and Forge sit atop the CPL standings with a 14-2-7 record. … Star midfielder Thomas Muller did not come off the bench for the ‘Caps. … An announced crowd of 10,752 took in the game at B.C. Place.

UP NEXT

Forge: Take on Atletico Ottawa in CPL action on Sunday.

Whitecaps: Return to MLS play Saturday when they visit Sporting Kansas City.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2025.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press