When I first heard about the Canadian Championship, it was described to me as basically the Canadian version of the FA Cup.
Clubs from all levels across the country compete for one title – the biggest soccer competition in Canada. That includes all the Canadian Premier League sides, the three U.S. Major League Soccer sides who are based in Canada, and the four champions of the British Columbia Premier League, Alberta Premier League, Ontario Premier League, and Ligue1 Quebec.
Last year, Vancouver FC reached the final – the first CPL team to do that – and played the Whitecaps at BC Place. That run also qualified us for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which is the biggest tournament on the continent.
This year, we start with a preliminary round match against Langley United, who won League1 BC in their very first season playing in it.
It’s going to be a special day for the community – an all-Langley derby.
We share the same pitch at the Stadium at Langley Events Centre and use the same facilities. Their head coach, Azad Palani, was our assistant coach up until last season. Some of our players even feature for them during the year to stay sharp and get minutes.
We had 11 players take part in their games over the course of last season, from either the Vancouver FC Under-19 academy or first team players competing as part of an affiliate agreement between the two clubs. While players like Matheus De Souza who was doing well with them got called up to our first team.
Langley United Soccer Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, which says a lot about the history and passion for the game in this community – and the quality of players coming through.
I used to play with TSS Rovers in League1 BC, so I know Langley’s whole roster from when I played against most of them. I know the quality that they have and have been telling all my teammates, this is definitely not going to be a comfortable match.
They are big underdogs this Sunday, but I know what that feels like.
When I was with TSS Rovers, we played in the Canadian Championship twice and were competitive both times against CPL teams. We lost on penalties to Pacific FC one year, and 1-0 to Valour FC in Winnipeg last season.
The biggest difference we all noticed when facing professional teams is how well they keep the ball. As well of course as their physicality, they don’t give you a moment to breathe. I remember in that Valour game, it felt at times like we were defending wave after wave of attacks.
But when you’re playing in the lower leagues, this Canadian Championship preliminary round match is the focus from the start of pre-season – even more than their own league. So we know Langley United will definitely be up for it and at their very best.
We need to switch our focus quickly after last weekend’s Salish Sea Derby – which was a great win for the team and everyone involved in the club – our first of the new season. Winning and scoring three goals in front of our travelling fans, it was such a beautiful day and atmosphere to get on the pitch and play in this fixture for the first time.
A big thank you to the supporters who made the trip.
READ MORE: VIDEO – First win of the season for Vancouver FC
Back to this weekend, it is so cool that Langley United – coming from the BC Premier League – has the opportunity to compete in a tournament where they can win the top competition in Canada, and from there the biggest one on the continent.
For players like me, there’s a clear pathway too.
You can step up from that level into the full professional environment with Vancouver FC and the CPL, experience what it means to play at that level in your own country, and then put yourself in a position to progress further.
Some former CPL players will be competing in the World Cup this summer.
So it’s a fixture and a competition that means a lot on a number of levels – not to mention bragging rights in Langley.
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– Kian Proctor is a 20-year-old Vancouver FC defender from Delta, who signed his first professional contract for the 2026 season after a standout year at SFU. He will be writing a weekly column this season, offering insight into himself and his new team.
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