One of the best hitters for the Toronto Blue Jays this season was injured running the bases Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Whitecaps have been slaying dragons on their path to the Concacaf Champions Cup final, set for Sunday at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. They’ve already taken down giants like Inter Miami and the legendary Lionel Messi. But now, they face their biggest challenge yet: Cruz Azul, and they must do it in the formidable Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City. As they say, “Go big or go home!”

If Vancouver pulls off this feat, they will become only the third MLS team to win this prestigious competition, joining the ranks of D.C. United (1998) and the Seattle Sounders (2022). This would also mean surpassing Canadian rivals CF Montreal and Toronto FC, who were finalists in 2015 and 2018, respectively. So, what’s at stake? Quite a bit, actually!

The Format

Sunday’s game is a straightforward knockout final. If the score remains tied after 90 minutes, extra time and penalty kicks will decide the winner. No pressure, right?

Setting the Stage for Sunday

Vancouver enters this clash riding a wave of momentum, boasting a seven-game unbeaten run in the competition, including back-to-back wins over Inter Miami. In MLS, the Whitecaps are at the top of the Western Conference and second in the overall league standings with a 9-1-5 record. They’ve been unbeaten in their last 10 MLS matches, with their only loss occurring way back on March 22. Talk about a “comeback” story!

Before the 2025 MLS season kicked off, several league pundits, including former Canadian women’s team star Kaylyn Kyle, doubted Vancouver’s potential, predicting a finish in the Western Conference’s bottom half. This skepticism has fueled the Whitecaps’ determination. As winger Jayden Nelson told Sportsnet, “Why are we counted out every time? Why are Canadian teams always counted out? It’s like, why? What can we do to really get the respect we deserve?”

Cruz Azul, on the other hand, is currently in its off-season after finishing third in Liga MX and reaching the semifinals of the 2024-25 Clausura campaign. Their last match was a 2-1 loss to Club América in the semifinals.

How the Teams Arrived at the Final

Vancouver overcame a 2-1 first leg defeat on the road to Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa, winning 2-0 in the return match to advance. They then bypassed Mexican clubs C.F. Monterrey and Club Universidad Nacional via the away goals rule. The Whitecaps’ best performance came in the semifinals, securing consecutive wins over Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. Jayden Nelson reflected, “We’re a group that fights for each other. Even in Monterrey, we didn’t give up. We’re just a strong group.”

Cruz Azul had a comprehensive 7-0 aggregate win over Haitian side Real Hope FA in the first round. They then dispatched the Seattle Sounders and outplayed Club América and Tigres to reach the final.

Vancouver Whitecaps on a Mission

What the Vancouver Whitecaps have achieved this season, both in MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup, is nothing short of extraordinary. And they’ve done it under the leadership of Danish coach Jesper Sørensen, who has been in charge for less than six months. Despite the club’s ownership, including former NBA star Steve Nash, declaring the team was up for sale, Sørensen has kept the focus on the field. “Silent but deadly,” you might say!

Jayden Nelson has been instrumental in the Whitecaps’ journey to the final, contributing two assists in six Champions Cup appearances. His standout moment came in the 2-0 home win over Inter Miami. Reflecting on their Miami triumph, Nelson said, “We realized, ‘Yeah, we’re actually a good team.’ But our mentality hasn’t shifted just because we won that Miami game. It’s still that killer mentality.”

Sebastian Berhalter’s man-of-the-match performance in the second leg against Inter Miami was a highlight, but unfortunately, he’s suspended for the final due to yellow card accumulation. Talk about a “bummer”!

Who is Cruz Azul?

Founded in 1927, Cruz Azul is a powerhouse in Mexican football, boasting nine domestic league championships and eight Concacaf Champions Cup finals appearances. They’ve won the tournament six times, second only to Club América. Coached by former Uruguay international Vicente Sánchez, Cruz Azul features several Mexican national team players and former MLS star Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Players to Watch

Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps — The American forward has been on fire for Vancouver, scoring 15 goals in 21 games across all competitions, including five in the Concacaf Champions Cup. His best performances came with a brace against Deportivo Saprissa and the winner versus Inter Miami.

Ángel Sepúlveda, Cruz Azul — The veteran Mexican forward leads the scoring race in this season’s Champions Cup with seven goals. His penalty shot conversion against Tigres in the semifinals secured Cruz Azul’s spot in the final.

Editor’s note: John Molinaro is one of Canada’s leading soccer journalists, with over 25 years of experience covering the game for outlets including Sportsnet, CBC Sports, and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.

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