The message from the Vancouver Whitecaps is clear: success in the Canadian Championship is crucial to the club and its fans this season.

Vancouver won the tournament last season, beating Toronto FC 5-3 on penalties with Andres Cubas bagging the winning spot kick.

The Voyageurs Cup was also head coach Vanni SartiniB次元官网网址檚 first piece of silverware and he believes the tournament is important to the club as a whole.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fundamental,B次元官网网址� he said about success in the tournament. B次元官网网址淓veryone remembers with fondness, I would say, the magic of the night last year when we won the Cup. We want to be there again B次元官网网址� we have the moral imperative to try to do the repeat.B次元官网网址�

Sartini, who got a tattoo of the trophy after winning it last season, said he wants his team to ensure they respect YorkB次元官网网址檚 ability.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very organized team. ItB次元官网网址檚 not a flashy team, but itB次元官网网址檚 very organized,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hen we attack, we have to be really structured because we donB次元官网网址檛 have to give them the possibility of quick counterattacks.B次元官网网址�

Vancouver has a mixed record in the competition having won it once in 2015 and finished runners-up seven times B次元官网网址� as both a Major League Soccer Club and in its previous iteration pre-MLS.

The Whitecaps meet Canadian Premier League team York FC this afternoon in the Cup quarterfinal in Toronto. They played York in the semifinals last year, winning 2-1, and are led by former longtime Whitecap and ex-captain Martin Nash.

B次元官网网址淏oth teams have changed personnel wise a fair bit,B次元官网网址� said Nash about the change from last yearB次元官网网址檚 fixture. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e a team thatB次元官网网址檚 coming in thatB次元官网网址檚 in a good moment but our guys have to be positive. WeB次元官网网址檝e had some good performances but we just have to turn those performances into wins.B次元官网网址�

Nash said his players canB次元官网网址檛 expect to have many chances to test VancouverB次元官网网址檚 goal and will need to capitalize when they do.

B次元官网网址淲e would like to play our game but itB次元官网网址檚 going to be difficult. WeB次元官网网址檙e not going to have as much of the ball as we normally would in our league games,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that the match is a B次元官网网址渕assiveB次元官网网址� test for his club and a chance for players to prove themselves.

Two of the Whitecaps were raised in the Toronto area and are looking forward to welcoming family and friends for the first time as professionals.

Ryan Raposo was named the Best Young Canadian for his performances in the tournament last year after making four appearances and scoring once.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 always something special about cup competitions because itB次元官网网址檚 really do-or-die. If you donB次元官网网址檛 show up on the day then youB次元官网网址檙e out of the competition,B次元官网网址� he said.

The game against the Whitecaps is potentially one of YorkB次元官网网址檚 most important matches of the season, he added, and Vancouver needs to make sure it matches the Canadian Premier League teamB次元官网网址檚 energy.

Raposo played against York in 2021 but in front of no fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It will also be defender Ali AhmedB次元官网网址檚 first time ever playing as a professional in his hometown.

Ali grew up in the Toronto neighbourhood of Lawrence Heights and said 50 to 100 family and friends are planning to attend the match.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a long time since I had a game in Toronto,B次元官网网址� he said after practice on Tuesday. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be super special. IB次元官网网址檓 trying to organize tickets and everything.B次元官网网址�

The Whitecaps will likely be without striker Brian White, who left the MLS match against Minnesota United on Saturday with a thigh injury. White scored three goals to lead the Whitecaps and finish as one of the top scorers in the Canadian Championship last season.

The game against York kicks off a busy stretch for Vancouver who play Cascadia rivals Portland on Saturday followed by a trip to Texas to play FC Dallas before returning home to square off against the Seattle Sounders.

B次元官网网址擭ick Wells, The Canadian Press

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