VANCOUVER - The Montreal Impact got a late goal from Hassoun Camara and were crowned Amway Canadian Champions after a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night at BC Place. The victory also ensured Montreal a place in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League.
Montreal rallied twice from one-goal deficits to capture the two-leg series on the away goals rule. The two teams played to a scoreless draw in the first leg in Montreal.
Substitute Daigo Kobayashi's 69th minute goal looked like it was going to be the difference for Vancouver, when he pounced on a loose ball to give the host a 2-1 lead.
With only six minutes remaining in the game, Camara rose unmarked to head a Justin Mapp corner kick past Vancouver goalkeeper Brad Knighton and silence the boisterous home crowd.
The Canadian Championship title is Montreal's first since joining Major League Soccer. It had previously won the tournament in 2008 as a second-division club.
Vancouver came out in fantastic form to start the game and nearly had a goal in the first minute. Camilo was through on goal, but Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush rushed off his line to block an attempt and, after a scramble in the box, Gershon Koffie had a shot deflected for a corner.
For all their early pressure, the Whitecaps broke through in the fourth minute. Camilo blasted a sensational free kick in off Bush's left post and into the net from 35-yards out.
The host had a number of chances to get the all-important second goal, spurning opportunities that could have heaped added pressure on the Impact.
Just four minutes into the second half, Montreal's Felipe leveled the score at 1-1, netting from just outside the Montreal 18-yard box.
Jordan Harvey had the final chances for the Whitecaps deep into second half stoppage time. Darren Mattocks knocked a ball down into his path in the Montreal penalty area. The 29-year-old defender's attempt went agonizingly wide.
