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Canadian Championship roundup: Forge survive massive scare as MLS teams move on easily

The Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate one of their goals during the Canadian Championship.
The Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate one of their goals during the Canadian Championship.ČTK / AP / DARRYL DYCK

The Canadian Championship quarter-finals took place across last week Wednesday as well as Sunday and Monday, as eight sides from three different competitions continued their push to win Canada's national cup competition.

Three of the four semi-finalists are confirmed, with the other to be decided next month. Here is a look back at the results from each match thus far.

Vancouver Whitecaps 5-2 Cavalry

The four-time defending champions Vancouver Whitecaps are through to another semi-final after getting the better of Cavalry 5-2 acorss the two legs.

It only took the Whitecaps a minute to go in front in the first leg on Wednesday night through an Adam Pearlman own goal. While the Cavs did equalise before the break thanks to a Daan Klomp goal, Thomas Muller put the MLS side back in front right after the hour mark, before Brian White netted a third moments later.

The tie appeared all but over when Rayan Elloumi scored a fourth for the hosts at Swangard Stadium - the Whitecaps' old venue before they moved to BC Place - to complete a 4-1 win.

An exciting second leg ended 1-1, where both teams traded opportunities. Both keepers were called into action on multiple ocasions as Cavalry tried to find a way back into the two-legged series. 

Ali Musse broke the deadlock in front of Cavalry's home fans at Spruce Meadows, but they were punished by former player Mihail Gherasimencov four minutes from time.

It is the third time that the Whitecaps have eliminated Cavalry from the competition, all within the last five editions after the Cavs came out on top in their first tie back in 2019.

Now in the semis, the Caps will look to become the first side to win the CanChamp five times in a row.

Forge 3-2 CS Saint-Laurent

Four-time Canadian Premier League playoff winners Forge FC were pushed to the limit in their tie against LS PRO Quebec outfit CS Saint-Laurent.

The first leg, played at Stade Boreale in Laval, finished 1-1 between the two after Nana Ampomah put the Hamilton-based Forge in front 15 minutes in, only for Saint-Laurent to level the game through Zakaria Bahous shortly after the restart.

Despite being a semi-professional outfit, CSSL had never lost to a CPL opposition in the competition, having knocked out the HFX Wanderers on penalties in their only other appearance in 2024. They also pulled off a 1-0 upset in the previous round against Inter Toronto.

Sunday's decider had an early opener, as Ampomah played provider for striker Brian Wright. In a match with few opportunities, it looked as if Forge would be able to hold on despite not being at their best. But, Saint-Laurent tied things up with a quarter hour left via substitute Rickson Aristilde.

As the match appeared destined for extra time, the Hammers managed to grab a winner in stoppage time, as a loose ball in the box fell to Antoine Batisse, who found the back of the net to break the Quebec team's hearts.

Thanks to the 2-1 win at home, Forge managed to advance 3-2 overall. It will be their fourth year in a row playing in the semi-finals as they look to become the second CPL team to reach the final of a full edition.

CF Montreal 4-2 Vancouver FC

Five-time winners CF Montreal are back in the last four for the first time since 2023 following a pair of 2-1 wins over last year's finalists Vancouver FC.

A comeback was required from Montreal in the first leg in Langley, where they fell behind to a Nicolas Mezquida goal. However, the response was swift from the visitors, as they benefited from a Matteo Campagna own goal just after the hour mark.

Just as it looked like the Eagles would take a valuable result with them to Quebec, they conceded a penalty shortly before the end, which was calmly finished off by Prince Owusu to give CFM the victory.

The return leg took an unexpected turn for Montreal before the break after Efrain Morales picked up a pair of yellow cards for two poor tackles.

Yet, despite having a man advantage for the whole second half, Vancouver could not make the most of their opportunity. Brendan Craig's free kick put his side ahead, before Daniel Rios added a second midway through the half to send CFM on their way.

A Morey Doner marker 11 minutes time did little to quash CF Montreal's spirits as they held on for a 2-1 victory at home to move on. They will face the Whitecaps in September for a spot in the final.

Atletico Ottawa 1-3 Supra du Quebec (first leg)

The only quarter-final that has yet to be completed is the all-CPL clash between Atletico Ottawa and FC Supra du Quebec.

The first leg, which was played as a doubleheader with the Saint-Laurent vs Forge game, saw Supra prevail 3-1. The CPL's newest team took the lead opening half through captain David Choiniere, who finished off a solid attack.

Ottawa, who reached the semi-finals in 2025, found themselves 2-0 down from a Sean Red strike from distance. A third was added from Ibrahima Conde as Supra had one foot in the last four.

While it was a big result in Supra's short history, they conceded what could be a costly towards the end as Wesley Timoteo converted a free kick to give Ottleti hope.

The second leg will take place in the nation's capital on 11 August, with the winning side playing another all-CPL tie against Forge in the semi-finals.