Vancouver FC

Location: Langley, British Columbia
Date founded: 2023
Appearances in CCC: 0
Best finish: First appearance
First opponent: Cruz Azul

History

The Canadian Premier League's second-youngest club, Vancouver FC kick off their fourth season with their first-ever continental clash. In 2025, the Eagles missed the CPL playoffs for a third consecutive season. But amid this disappointment came a triumphant run to the Canadian Championship final, where Vancouver stunned Salish Sea derby opponents Pacific FC, and the past two CPL champions, Cavalry FC and Atlético Ottawa, to become the first Canadian Premier League club to reach a final in a full tournament. Unfortunately, their run ended in disappointment with a 4-2 loss to local rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final at BC Place, but not before the Eagles put in a strong performance in a 4-2 loss. 

How they qualified

Vancouver FC booked their first continental appearance through the TELUS Canadian Championship, after finishing as runners-up to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Since the Whitecaps already qualified through how they finished in Major League Soccer's Western Conference, the Eagles were awarded the CanChamp berth.

The coach

After spending the latter part of the 2025 season as the club's interim coach, Martin Nash was given the full-time role ahead of this season. A former Canadian international and 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup winner, Nash previously coached the CPL's Inter Toronto from 2021 to midway through the 2024 season, and was previously an assistant with the Canadian men's national team and Cavalry FC.

3 Key Players

Callum Irving:

Vancouver FC's first-ever signing, the veteran goalkeeper has started all but one match in VFC's history. One of the best in his position in the Canadian Premier League, he has captained Vancouver FC from day one, and remains a steady and reliable force at the back.  

Nicholás Mezquida:

The Uruguayan attacker is one of the few players on this Vancouver roster with Champions Cup experience, owing to his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In his second year with the club, he is a crucial on-field leader, setting the standard and tempo for how the group operates. 

Thierno Bah:

This past campaign was undoubtedly Theirno Bah's coming-out party in the Canadian Premier League. Nominated for the league's Best Canadian U-21 Player of the Year award, he had three goals and nine assists in all competitions. That included a goal and an assist against the Whitecaps in the Canadian Championship final.

Tournament outlook

It is pretty hard to think of a tougher draw in the club's first foray into the Concacaf Champions Cup than defending champions Cruz Azul. The LigaMX giants also happen to be the joint-most successful club in the competition's history, winning seven titles and reaching a record nine finals. If Vancouver FC can somehow pull off what would be among the biggest upsets in the competition's history over two legs, they would then likely have to face CF Monterrey in the Round of 16. LAFC are also in their quadrant of the bracket. More than anything, this first-ever appearance in the competition will be about the opportunity to test themselves against one of the region's best and carry those lessons into the CPL season. 

First round schedule

Leg 1: Wednesday, Feb. 4

Vancouver FC vs. Cruz Azul — Willoughby Community in Langley, British Columbia
7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET

Leg 2: Thursday, Feb. 12

Cruz Azul vs. Vancouver FC — Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, México 
5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET