Vancouver and Montreal Draw 1-1 in Canadian Championship Semifinal as Alexis Sanchez Takes the Field

A stunning strike from midfield, a late equalizer and an Alexis Sanchez who once again pushed his way into the game looking to make something happen. That sums up the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal between Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal CF, which ended 1-1 at BC Place.

The Chilean wasn't in the starting lineup, but he didn't miss out on the action either. He came on in the 57th minute looking to tilt the game in Montreal's favor, and in the 68th it appeared he had done just that: he put the ball in the net, but the assistant referee's flag went up for an earlier offside position, denying the Chilean national team star his celebration. Still, just having Sanchez on the field changes how you read any match. He continues picking up minutes gradually in his Canadian stint, and every appearance carries that sense that something might happen.

The first half had produced one of those plays that ends up on every highlight reel. In the 15th minute, Venezuelan midfielder Daniel Pereira spotted Vancouver's goalkeeper off his line, practically inviting disaster, and without a second thought unleashed a shot from just past midfield that found the back of the net. The kind of goal that earns applause no matter which side you're on.

With the lead in hand, Montreal controlled much of the second half until Vancouver found a way to level things. In the 71st minute, following a low cross from the left, Ryan Gauld got on the end of it to make it a final 1-1, leaving the tie wide open.

What's Next

The second leg of this semifinal is set for September 16, and with the aggregate score tied, everything will be decided in that rematch. But there's MLS business first: Montreal and Sanchez face Philadelphia Union on Saturday, a match that comes at a key moment for the Chilean, who needs rhythm and minutes as he keeps working to establish himself with the club.

Between the Canadian Championship and MLS, the schedule leaves no room to breathe, but for a player like Sanchez, used to competing on multiple fronts throughout his career, that shouldn't be an issue. The question left hanging is whether in the rematch he'll finally get his goal without the linesman spoiling the party.