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“It’s just fun to play against an MLS team,” Trafford said. “It’s something different than playing against a CPL team — it’s hard to describe. I’m from Vancouver, and I started playing there. Me having played there and also I have a close relationship with Marc (Dos Santos) — because he coached me in Ottawa (with the Fury in 2014-15 in the North American Soccer League) — it was fun to go up against him and his club.

“There’s a ton of motivation already, having a chance to go through in the Canadian Championship. But that was a little bit of a cherry on top, as well.”

If nothing else, the Cavs have given plenty for head coach Dos Santos and the Whitecaps to think about heading into the second leg of the series.

It truly is a result that’s up for grabs.

“The tide’s wide open, isn’t it?” Wheeldon said. “We wanted to make sure (for the second leg) that we could have a go.

“But there’s no pressure on us. We’re not expected to go through. So with that, you saw the freedom (in the first leg) — the guys were playing on their front foot. It was great to see. That’s how we play most of the games in the CPL. It’s good to see and compare it against an MLS side.”

It hasn’t exactly been a legendary season for the stalwart franchise, as the 4-11-8 ‘Caps have fallen to last place in the MLS’ Western Conference standings.

Jim Wells/Postmedia

Meanwhile, the Cavs are the cream of the crop in the inaugural CPL campaign, running hot at 11-2 with a claim of the spring season title.

Another step up the ladder in the Canadian Championship — especially one over an MLS side — would make their Cinderella season ever more magical.

So there won’t be much need to prod the team when it takes the field for the second leg.

“I don’t think I need to do much,” Wheeldon Jr. said. “I think all we have to do is set up our lineup and set up what we have to do when we have the ball and what we have to do when we don’t have the ball.

“What we have to do now is making sure we do all the precautions we can to be ready.”

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

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