The Telus Canadian Championship could be the saving grace for a Vancouver FC team that languishes at the bottom of the Canadian Premier League standings with a dismal 2-15-6 record.

Vancouver takes a 3-1 lead into Thursday’s return leg of its semifinal series with Atletico Ottawa, knowing a win, draw or even a one-goal loss will send it to the Oct. 1 final against the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps.

“I think it’s a big moment in our season. Everyone feels it,” said Vancouver FC interim coach Martin Nash, who played for the Whitecaps before the club entered Major League Soccer. “And the guys are well prepared and looking forward to the occasion.

“If we can get to a final, that would be amazing for the club, And to play a local rival would be brilliant.”

Atletico Ottawa, which si

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