CF Montreal and the Vancouver Whitecaps joined fellow MLS side Toronto FC in booking their place in the Canadian Championship semi-finals on Wednesday night.
TFC advanced with a 2-1 win over Canadian Premier League side HFX Wanderers – Peter Schaale’s 86th-minute own goal sealing the tie after Toronto’s opener from Jordan Perruzza was canceled out by Samuel Salter.
The other two MLS representatives in the Canadian Championship advanced in similar style.
CF Montreal had the most comfortable quarter-final of any MLS team in the Canadian Championship, beating Forge FC 3-0.
A hat-trick from Sunusi Ibrahim – two goals in the first half, one in the second – got the job done at Saputo Stadium in a dominant performance that saw Montreal outshoot Forge 17-5 while controlling 59% possession.
BUT 🔔
1-2-3-GOAL 💥
Incredible direct-play passing cuts the defence apart, and Sunusi Ibrahim opens the scoring for #CFMTL vs. @ForgeFCHamilton in this 2022 #CanChamp clash 🇨🇦🏆
The patience from Joel Waterman tho 👀
🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/8twZwvj8I7
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) May 25, 2022
The current Canadian Championship holders, Montreal have made the semi-finals of this tournament in 13 of their 14 attempts.
“I’m mostly happy about the attitude. I wasn’t surprised by the result, and it just reinforced the energy with which we train,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said after the match. “The way the team played today in terms of offensive concept was very good. They were very patient with the ball and waiting for the good moment.”
The Vancouver Whitecaps had quite a bit more difficulty making it through their last-eight tie, beating Cavalry FC 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Myer Bevan opened the scoring with a golazo on 72 minutes to put Cavalry into a shock lead, though the hosts were always going to give as good as they got given they’re second in the Canadian Premier League.
Decent goal from Myer Bevan for Cavalry FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps in the Canadian Championship #cavsfc #CanChamp 🇨🇦🇳🇿⚽️ pic.twitter.com/xRhk8kMiyZ
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) May 26, 2022
It took an 85th-minute own goal from Daan Klomp to finally get the Whitecaps level and after a scoreless extra-time period, a penalty shootout was needed.
Vancouver scored all five of their spot-kicks, while goalkeeper Cody Cropper was able to save from Ali Musse, sending the ‘Caps to their first Canadian Championship semi-final since 2018.
“In the grand scheme of things, we had more chances to score so, probably, we deserved to win,” ‘Caps boss Vanni Sartini said. “Cavalry put up a fantastic fight and if they would have won, they would have deserved it.”
Both semi-finals are scheduled to take place on June 21.
