The Canadian Championship Quarterfinal stage continues, as the second leg between CF Montréal and Vancouver FC is set to commence at Stade Saputo.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into tomorrow’s match.
How both sides enter this match
After a month-long break for the MLS side, CF Montréal just narrowly scraped past Vancouver FC with a 2-1 scoreline.
After a long-range shot from Damiano Pecile was redirected by Nicolás Mezquida in the 54th minute, the Eagles had some belief that they could take down the MLS side in Willoughby. But a dangerous cross from Dagur Thórhallsson was redirected in by Vancouver defender Matteo Campagna, which resulted in Montréal's equalizer just nine minutes after they took the lead. It was an evenly contested match from an attacking perspective, and it would've been a good result for the hosts until Matteo Campagna fouled Owen Graham-Roache inside the box in stoppage time, after which Prince Owusu scored to win the game for Montréal.
This result isn't the end of the world for Vancouver FC, as after the away goals rule was scrapped, it will give the Eagles a fighting chance in this tie.
It will not be easy in Montréal, as the MLS side will have the home-field advantage, but Forge FC have gone on to take down Montréal twice at home, proving that a CPL side can take down the Impact at Stade Saputo.
As the two sides gear up for a second all-time meeting, it will be interesting to see how CF Montréal will approach this game, whether they will focus more on increasing the lead or keeping it.
Players to watch
One of the more experienced players on this CF Montréal side is 31-year-old striker Daniel Ríos, as he's started both games in the Canadian Championship for Philippe Eullaffroy's side. After an alright loan spell in 2025 with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Ríos signed permanently with CF Montréal as a free agent following his departure from C.D. Guadalajara. He's scored three goals in thirteen appearances, with only three games started overall. He's been a good backup for Prince Owusu in MLS play, but now it's time for him to step up as a starter in this Canadian Championship tie. He got a goal against the Calgary Blizzard during the preliminary round and played a big role in Matteo Campagna's own goal on Wednesday, but can he get his name on the scoresheet tomorrow to help seal the tie? Vancouver FC defenders will certainly look to limit his contribution, as his aerial play is already a threat for the Eagles.
After his opening goal on Wednesday, Nicolás Mezquida is now tied alongside Ballou Tabla and Jonathan Osorio for the all-time top scorers in Canadian Championship history, scoring eight goals each. Mezquida has scored five of them with Vancouver FC over the past two seasons, which is already a crazy feat for the 34-year-old Uruguayan midfielder. He comes into this one with goals in back-to-back games, while scoring two goals in two games so far in the tournament. It's fair to say that Mezquida likes to show up in this cup, and Montréal must be careful, as if the Eagles get the opening goal, the game will look very different.
Projected XIs
CF Montréal (4-3-3): Sebastián Breza; Luca Petrasso, Efraín Morales, Jalen Neal, Dagur Thórhallsson; Frankie Amaya, Samuel Piette (c), Victor Loturi; Hennadiy Synchuk, Daniel Ríos, Wiki Carmona
Vancouver FC (4-2-3-1): Callum Irving (c); Kian Proctor, Tom Field, Matteo Campagna, Morey Doner; Damiano Pecile, Emrick Fotsing; Mohamed Amissi, Nicolás Mezquida, Thierno Bah; Terran Campbell
Game information and how to watch
📆 Sunday, July 12, 2026
⏰ 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT
📺 OneSoccer
🧑⚖️ Robert D'Alesio
🏟 Stade Saputo, Montréal, Canada
