News
Canadian Championship May 17, 2011

Vancouver, Toronto looking forward to ‘special’ Championship final

Players and coaches from both Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC are eagerly awaiting the kick-off of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship Wednesday evening in Vancouver at Empire Field (19.00 local time).

Players and coaches from both Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC are eagerly awaiting the kick-off of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final Wednesday evening in Vancouver at Empire Field (19.00 local time).



The match will be broadcast live in high definition from coast to coast on Rogers Sportsnet (22.00 ET / 19.00 PT). Fans can also watch the match live on Sportsnet.ca or follow in-game updates via twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN. Full pre- and post-match coverage of the final series will be provided via CanadaSoccer.com/championship.



At a media conference in Vancouver on 17 May, Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson was keen to point out the importance of the final to his club.



“I think the final in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship is something special,” he said. “Playing Toronto is always big and I think the tournament has a huge importance to Canadian soccer.”



Toronto FC head coach Aron Winter also alluded to the emerging rivalry between the two Canadian MLS clubs.



“This is an important game, especially because we are playing against Vancouver,” Winter stated. “In the league, that was our opening game of the season where we had a defeat, but now, three months later we are doing well and I would like to come here and get a result.”



Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert believes that the importance both teams are placing on the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final demonstrates that Canadian soccer is continuing to grow in profile.



“It shows that Canadian soccer is growing massively,” Teibert stated. “It just keeps getting bigger and bigger, faster and faster.”



The Nutrilite Canadian Championship will be contested over two legs with the first match taking place tomorrow in Vancouver at Empire Field on 18 May; and with a return match to be contested on 25 May in Toronto at BMO Field.



The winner from the final will go on to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League beginning in July of this year.