VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC have clinched Canada’s entry into the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League, the first time in club history.



The CONCACAF Champions League is an annual continental club football competition involving the champions of countries in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The 2015/16 tournament will begin in August 2015. The winner of the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League moves on to the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup against the champions of Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America, as well as the champion of the host country (either India or Japan).



With today’s Montreal Impact (MLS RS 6W-18L-9D for 27 points) 1-1 draw at Toronto FC (MLS RS 11W-14L-7D for 41 points), Whitecaps FC (MLS RS 11W-8L-13D for 46 points) secured their CONCACAF Champions League berth as the highest ranked Canadian MLS club in the 2014 MLS regular season.

Traditionally, the winner of the Amway Canadian Championship has determined the Canadian representative in the same season. However, starting in 2015 and for subsequent editions, the Amway Canadian Championship winner will represent Canada in the following season of the CONCACAF Champions League. For example, the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship winner will represent Canada at the 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League.



Due to the transition in timeframe, all participating Canadian clubs agreed that the Canadian MLS club ranked highest in the overall league standings at the end of the 2014 MLS regular season would be appointed Canadian representative for the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League.



In addition to the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League berth, the Blue and White will enter the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship as the number one seed and will play the lowest remaining seed in one of two semifinal series.



Whitecaps FC continue their push for the playoffs tonight when they visit San Jose Earthquakes (MLS RS 6W-15L-11D) in their second to last match of the regular season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium - TV: TSN1, RADIO: TSN 1410 Vancouver, MOBILE: Bell mobile devices, ONLINE: TSN GO.



Vancouver’s MLS regular season finale will take place on Saturday, October 25, when they host Colorado Rapids at 7 p.m. PT at BC Place. Tickets remain available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.