The reigning Canadian Premier League champions saw their quest for silverware end in dramatic fashion Tuesday night as FC Supra du Quebec battled to a pulsating 3-3 draw at TD Place Stadium, securing a 6-4 aggregate victory in their Canadian Championship quarterfinal matchup. Atletico Ottawa, who captured the CPL title last season, will not be adding the Voyageurs Cup to their trophy cabinet this year after surrendering an early two-goal lead and failing to overturn the deficit from the first leg.
Supra came out firing in the nation’s capital, with Loic Swemi finding the net in the ninth minute before Ibrahim Conde doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. The blistering start put the visitors firmly in control of the tie and left Ottawa facing a mountain to climb. Sean Rea would later add a third goal for the Quebec side in the 55th minute, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt and silencing the home supporters who had hoped to witness a dramatic comeback.
Ottawa refused to surrender without a fight, mounting a spirited late rally that briefly suggested an improbable turnaround might be possible. Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau sparked the revival with goals in the 51st and 74th minutes, injecting fresh hope into the home crowd. Ballou Tabla completed the comeback on the night with an equalizer five minutes into stoppage time, salvaging a draw that nonetheless proved insufficient to keep their championship dreams alive.
The result represents a significant achievement for Supra, who currently sit fifth in the CPL standings but have proven their mettle in knockout competition. Their reward is a semifinal clash with Hamilton’s Forge FC, setting up an intriguing all-CPL matchup next month. Forge, one of the league’s most successful franchises, will provide a stern test of Supra’s championship credentials as both teams chase continental qualification and domestic glory.
The other semifinal features an all-Major League Soccer affair between the Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal, bringing together two clubs with vastly different recent histories in this competition. Vancouver enters as the dominant force, seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive Voyageurs Cup title after elishing themselves as the tournament’s modern dynasty. Montreal will look to upset their western rivals and claim their first championship since the tournament’s current format took shape.
Beyond national pride, substantial stakes ride on the outcome of this year’s tournament. The eventual champion will earn qualification for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup, providing a pathway to continental competition and the possibility of facing the best clubs from across North and Central America. For Supra du Quebec, now just two wins away from that prize, their journey continues as underdogs with nothing to lose and everything to gain against more decorated opposition.
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