Cascadia Cup race coming down to the wire

VANCOUVER, BC – Just over a year ago, on September 19, 2015, Seattle Sounders FC spoiled Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s bid for a Cascadia Cup threepeat with a 3-0 win at BC Place.

It was a devastating result for Whitecaps FC players and supporters alike.

Not winning the Cascadia Cup is one thing. Being forced to watch your bitter rivals celebrate with it, on your home turf, is another.

The ‘Caps are hoping to right that wrong in 2016.

Two of Vancouver’s final three matches are against Cascadia rivals, both at BC Place, starting Sunday when they host Seattle Sounders FC (5 p.m. PT on TSN2 – limited tickets still available).

"We’re still fighting for the Cascadia Cup," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "So make no doubt about it, we’re not just going to let these games pass us by, we’re going to try to salvage something because we’ve had a rough season. Sometimes you’ve got to go through that, we’ve gone through it, but we’re still fighting and we will fight until the very end."

The Cascadia Cup can’t be won on Sunday, but it can be lost.

Here are the current standings:

The situation is clear for Seattle: they need a win to stay alive.

Any other result would see them eliminated from the competition, setting up a winner-take-all showdown between Vancouver and Portland on October 23 at BC Place. A Seattle win, on the other hand, keeps all three teams alive heading into that regular season finale, and drastically reduces Vancouver’s chances of reclaiming the Cup.  

"It's very important to me and my players and the club that we try and get the better of them," Robinson said of Vancouver's I-5 rivals. "Obviously those organizations will be saying the same. I'm sure there'll be blood, sweat, and thunder come Sunday. Which is what we all want to see – plus some goals."

Here are the first three tiebreakers that would come into play in the event that all three teams finish level on points (which would be the case if Seattle wins on Sunday and Vancouver beats Portland on October 23):

• 1.) Greater number of points earned in matches between the teams concerned
• 2.) Greater goal difference in matches between the teams concerned
• 3.) Greater number of goals scored in matches between the teams concerned

BACKGROUND

The Cascadia Cup represents one of the most passionate derby rivalries in North America.

Known for the region of North America that Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland represent, the Cascadia Cup was created by the supporters of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Seattle Sounders FC, and Portland Timbers. Officially founded in 2004, the origins of the Cup date back to when all three clubs were members of the United Soccer Leagues First Division.

The combined fan-based organizations of the three clubs came together to produce the two-foot-tall silver Cascadia Cup, which is awarded annually to the team with the best head-to-head record in regular season matches between their Pacific Northwest rivals.

The fans created this competition – and it's the fans that make it so special. 

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

Although Seattle's supporters are currently in possession of the Cascadia Cup, the 'Caps remain the most successful club in competition history with five titles to their name. 

All-time winners:

2015 – Seattle Sounders FC
2014 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2013 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2012 – Portland Timbers
2011 – Seattle Sounders FC
2010 – Portland Timbers
2009 – Portland Timbers
2008 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2007 – Seattle Sounders FC
2006 – Seattle Sounders FC
2005 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2004 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Here’s a video of Whitecaps FC celebrating their most recent Cascadia Cup win in 2014. 

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