Vancouver FC Eagles secure a 3–1 home victory over Atlético Ottawa in the first leg of the 2025 Canadian Championship semifinals.
Historic Victory at Willoughby Stadium
Vancouver FC Eagles achieved a significant milestone by defeating Atlético Ottawa 3–1 in the first leg of the 2025 Canadian Championship semifinals. The match took place at Willoughby Community Park in Langley, marking a historic moment for the club.
Early Lead and Equalizer
The match commenced with Vancouver FC taking the lead in the 20th minute when Michel Cavalcante cut inside and delivered a low shot into the bottom corner. Atlético Ottawa responded in the 58th minute with a sharp header from Sam Salter, leveling the score at 1–1.
Late Surge Seals the Win
Vancouver FC regained the advantage in the 69th minute when Hugo Mbongue capitalized on a defensive error, calmly finishing to make it 2–1. In the final minutes, Nicolás Mezquida sealed the victory with a composed left-footed strike into the bottom corner, concluding the match at 3–1.
Coach’s Perspective
Interim head coach Martin Nash expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “Ottawa’s a strong side—they put us under pressure at the end—and we know they’ll do the same at home. But if we can pick our moments to counter, we have players who can hurt them,” Nash stated post-match.
Looking Ahead
The second leg of the semifinal is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025, at TD Stadium in Ottawa. Vancouver FC aims to build on their home advantage and secure a spot in the final. The winner of this semifinal will face either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Forge FC in the 2025 Canadian Championship final on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
