VANCOUVER, BC
– Canada Soccer confirmed on Thursday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play Montreal Impact in the Canadian Championship semifinals for a second straight season. The ‘Caps and Impact will also meet to start the 2018 MLS season on Sunday, March 4 at BC Place. The Home Opener Pack, including two tickets and a scarf, is available now at
whitecapsfc.com/homeopener
.
The two-leg Canadian Championship semifinals will begin on Wednesday, July 18 at Stade Saputo in Montreal, with the return leg on Wednesday, July 25 at BC Place. This will be the eighth edition of the tournament that the ‘Caps and Impact have faced one another.
For the first time this season the Battle of the North will also include an additional qualifying round with entrants from the Première ligue de soccer du Québec (PLSQ) and League1 Ontario. PLSQ champions AS Blainville will host League1 Ontario (L1O) champions Oakville Blue Devils on Wednesday, June 6 before traveling to play the return leg on Wednesday, June 13 in Oakville. The winner will face Ottawa Fury FC in the second qualifying round over a home and away series on June 20 and 27 to determine who will advance to face reigning champions Toronto FC.
The Canadian Championship final series will take place on Wednesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 15 with the winner of the Vancouver/Montreal semifinal taking on either Toronto FC or the winner of the second qualifying round.
The winner of the 2018 Canadian Championship will be presented the Voyageurs Cup and earn themselves a place in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL), with the CCL champion given an opportunity to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
As per the Canadian Content regulations instituted in 2017, all teams will once again be required to start a minimum of three Canadian players in every match throughout the Canadian Championship.
Fans can follow along during the competition using #CanChamp on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
For more information on the competition, visit
www.canadianchampionship.ca
.
First Qualifying Round
June 6 – AS Blainville vs. Oakville Blue Devils
June 13 – Oakville Blue Devils vs. AS Blainville
Second Qualifying Round
June 20 – Winner 1QR vs. Ottawa Fury FC
June 27 – Ottawa Fury FC vs. Winner 1QR
Semifinal Round
July 18 – Winner 2QR vs. Toronto FC
July 18 – Impact Montreal FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
July 25 – Toronto FC vs. Winner 2QR
July 25 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Impact Montreal FC
Final Round
August 8 – Winner Semifinal vs Winner Semifinal
August 15 – Winner Semifinal vs Winner Semifinal
