The Vancouver Whitecaps captured their first USL First Division championship in their 14th season in the league with a 3-0 victory over Rochester on Saturday night. It was the first win by the visiting team in a single-game USL-1 final in 16 occasions.
The Caps opened the scoring just before halftime when a Joey Gjertsen cross into the box was deflected by Rhino defender Nate Craft into the goal. Gjertsen set up fellow American Tony Donatelli for the second goal in the 54th minute, and Sita-Taty Matondo scored the third goal in the 86th minute.
Gjertsen, a former walk-in from Evergreen State, was named the USL-1 Most Valuable Player. He scored 12 goals and seven assists for the champion Whitecaps in 28 regular-season games.
Vancouver became the first team to complete the USL-1 and W-League double. The Whitecaps won the USL’s 2006 women’s title in August.