Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed their second United Soccer Leagues First Division championship in three seasons after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico Islanders on Sunday afternoon.

In front of a sold-out and enthusiastic Swangard Stadium crowd, Charles Gbeke became the Whitecaps hero, as he scored twice with his head in the second half to secure Vancouver's first league title since the USL-1 Championship Final success of 2006 when The Blue & White defeated hosts Rochester Rhinos 3-0 at PAETEC Park.

Despite a Puerto Rico equalizer from the head of Sandy Gbandi midway through the second half, it was the Whitecaps that had more quality chances, as head coach Teitur Thordarson led his side to triumph over this season's regular season champions in his first year in charge. The result also extended Vancouver's undefeated run over the Islanders at home, with the final being the first ever to be contested between two USL-1 clubs that are based outside of the United States.

In what was the club's first championship match at Swangard since the 1992 Canadian Soccer League final, Thordarson made just one change to the side that defeated Montreal in the playoff semifinals. After being suspended for last Sunday's 2-0 win over the Impact, goalkeeper Jay Nolly returned to starting XI in place of Tyler Baldock, who claimed the clean sheet in his first-ever professional start last weekend.

After making six changes for Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions League Group D defeat to Club Santos Laguna in Mexico, Islanders head coach Colin Clarke made three changes to the side that started last Sunday's decisive second-leg win over Rochester in the semifinals. Defender Scott Jones and midfielder Edwin Miranda both returned from suspension to replace Alexis Rivera and Osei Telesford respectively in the visitors' line-up. In attack, Petter Villegas took the place of Fabrice Noel, as the Ecuadorian-born striker partnered Englishman Taiwo Atieno in the Puerto Rico forward line.

On a sunny and beautiful Thanksgiving Sunday afternoon, a sold-out Swangard crowd of 5,822 included plenty of colour and pageantry, with Puerto Rico fans making the 6,097 kilometer trip to Vancouver to support La Tropa Naranja or Orange Troop in festive fashion, while The Southsiders unfurled a massive Blue & White flag at the south end of the stadium to show their support for the home side.

As might be expected, there was a tentative start to the game from both sides, with USL-1 Goalkeeper of the Year Bill Gaudette needing to collect a Justin Moose though ball on nine minutes, as Charles Gbeke was lurking close by. Four minutes later, Nolly made a fine grab of the ball after league MVP Jonny Steele played a dangerous curling corner from the right to the far post for the Islanders.

At the other end on 14 minutes, Gbeke forced Gaudette to make the first real save of the match from his turn and shot after the former Montreal and Rochester striker had got on the end of a Sebrango forward flick.

On 19 minutes, Puerto Rico created a good opportunity for Gbandi, but the midfielder's header flew over Nolly's crossbar after Steele had found the Liberian with a fine cross from the left. A minute later, Gaudette needed to make an important save with his legs from Sebrango's low shot after Moose had played a exquisite through ball to the Cuban hit-man.

Then just before the midway point of the half, Islanders centre back John Krause needed to clear Gbeke's header off his goalline after Martin Nash played over a dangerous corner from the left-hand side.

Puerto Rico remained a constant threat going forward, with Atieno forcing a simple save from Nolly with a deflected shot from a Noah Delgado cross on 28 minutes, while Steele rolled a volleyed effort wide of the target for the visitors on 37 minutes.

Yet, the final chances of the half fell to the Whitecaps, with Moose hitting the Puerto Rico side-netting on 40 minutes after the winger got on the end of Nash's through ball in the Islanders box before Gbeke had a close-range header saved by Gaudette four minutes later after Alfredo Valente got on the end of Nash's cross from the right at the byline.

It made no difference to the 0-0 scoreline, as both sides went to their respective dressing rooms for the halftime break.

The Whitecaps were the sharper attacking side in the opening 45 minutes, and ten minutes after the restart, they took an invaluable lead from a Valente corner from the right. Whitecaps captain Jeff Clarke made a near-post flick that Gbeke was able to head home at the far post and send the Swangard crowd into rapturous delight.

Complete match report: www.whitecapsfc.com/schedule/match10120801.aspx