VANCOUVER, BC – So what exactly is the away goals rule and how might it come into play in deciding this year’s Voyageurs Cup winner?
It’s really quite simple.
In a two-leg aggregate series, the team that scores more combined goals between the two games is deemed the winner. Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship Final on August 12 in Montreal.
That makes it easy.
Whoever wins Wednesday’s second leg at BC Place will win the Voyageurs Cup (7 p.m. PT - tickets still available). Simple enough.
But what happens if there’s a draw?
That’s where away goals come into play, since the combined score will be level and away goals are the tiebreaker in an aggregate series.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the different scenarios for Wednesday’s match.
WHITECAPS FC WIN VOYAGEURS CUP WITH…
- Any win
- A scoreless draw
- A 1-1 draw
THE MATCH WILL GO TO EXTRA TIME WITH…
- A 2-2 draw
In the event of a 2-2 draw, there will be 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves). The full 30 minutes must be played regardless of any goals scored and the away goals rule remains in effect. If no goals are scored in extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.
MONTREAL IMPACT WIN VOYAGEURS CUP WITH…
- Any win
- A 3-3 draw or higher
So there you have it.
Just don't expect any of this to change the way the 'Caps are approaching the match.
"You have to play it like it’s 0-0," said Whitecaps FC defender Pa-Modou Kah. "There's nothing changed ... we need to go in there focused and try to get the win. You never settle for a draw."
His boss had a similar opinion.
"Without a doubt," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "The first leg is over. It’s one game of football. We need to win the game."
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