Former Dundee United star Ryan Gauld struck the decisive penalty as Vancouver Whitecaps claimed a second successive Canadian Championship.
Gauld, 27, won and then converted the nerveless spot-kick at B.C. Place as the Whitecaps defeated CF Montreal 2-1.
The triumph secures a place in next season’s Concacaf Champions League for Vanni Sartini’s side.
All players want to win trophies; that’s what you want to do with your career.
Ryan Gauld
Gauld has notched two goals and four assists in 18 appearances for Vancouver this season, with the club currently sixth in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference — a playoff berth.
And the Tannadice academy graduate said: “In my two years here, we’ve seen a big improvement in the team.
“All players want to win trophies; that’s what you want to do with your career.
“So to win it (Canadian Championship) back-to-back is a good feeling.”
Gauld notched nine goals in 50 appearances after emerging through the ranks at Tannadice, earning a life-changing move to Sporting Lisbon in 2014 — and becoming one of Scottish football’s most hyped young talents.
65' | Cool, calm confident by @RyanGauld as he draws & converts his PK 👌#VWFC| #CanChamp | @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/YB2BL7COmc
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) June 8, 2023
After spells with Vitoria de Setubal, Aves, Farense and Hibernian, he has found form and contentment in Vancouver.
Now the highest paid Scot in MLS, Gauld has hinted that he would be amenable to switching international allegiances to Canada ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the nation will co-host with the United States and Mexico.
Conversation