Music: {allcanada} Whitecaps, Impact set for Canadian cup final

Here are some storylines and other interesting tidbits to keep in mind ahead of Wednesday night's contest between the Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final.

Wednesday programming alert: Watch Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Montreal Impact in the final of the Amway Canadian Championship live on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet Pacific. Coverage begins at 7pm PT/10pm ET.

Who has the advantage?

These two teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Montreal on May 15. Both sides claimed they were happy with the result.

The Whitecaps were content to keep a clean sheet in Montreal, and feel they have the advantage playing before the hometown crowd in the second leg.

But there is a case to be made that Montreal is in a better position. While the winner of tonight's match would take the Canadian title, a draw that produces goals would see the Impact prevail on the away goals rule.

An early goal by the Impact would force the Whitecaps to score twice in regulation.

"I think people forget that they need to score a goal just as much as we do after the 0-0 game here last time," Montreal forward Andrew Wenger said.

"If we score that important away goal, then we are in good position. Our confidence is high and we are feeling pretty good."

Miller on the mend

Veteran Scottish striker Kenny Miller is expected to return to action tonight after missing about two months with a nagging hamstring injury.

Miller has not played since March 30 when he was injured in training. It was an untimely loss – the Scot had scored two goals in three games, and Vancouver has struggled on the offensive end since he's been out.

Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie told Sportsnet that Miller will get playing time against Montreal, although he likely won't start.

"He will be available. We've missed him quite a lot. He's been out for quite a few weeks. He was scoring goals and helping us a lot when he was playing," Rennie said.

"He'll be back in contention. I don't think he'll be able tom play the entire game, but he'll be involved and we're really glad that he will be."

The Di Vaio factor

On the weekend, Montreal posted a 5-3 win over the visiting Philadelphia Union in MLS play, spurred on by a hat trick from Marco Di Vaio.

With the treble, the Italian striker is now tied for the league scoring race at nine goals in just 11 games played, and he was named the league's player of the week on Tuesday.

Needless to say, the Whitecaps will have to keep close tabs on Di Vaio, especially as the Impact are dedicated to playing attacking soccer.

"This team wants to go forward 100 per cent," Montreal coach Marco Schällibaum said.

"Why stop people who want to go forward and have success? We're going to Vancouver in the same frame of mind. I can't play another way with this team: they absolutely want to build on what they've shown these past few weeks, so I can't use the handbrake."

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Say what?

"Having got to the (MLS) playoffs (for the first time in 2011), we made that first step of development. We are a new club and a young club. So the next step, for me, is to win a trophy, and this is first chance we've got to do that this season." — Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie told reporters this week.

"We are expecting them to come out and attack. They are playing at home so they are going to want to try and get ahead right away. That should open up space for us as well, so we'll need to take advantage of that." — Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush told the team's website.

Facts and stats

- Vancouver leads the all-time series against Montreal in this tournament with three wins and four draws (and two losses) dating back to 2008.

- This is the second of three games between these two teams this year. They'll play again on Sept. 21 in Montreal in an MLS regular-season game.

– The Impact won the first edition of the Canadian championship in 2008. Toronto FC won the next four. Vancouver is looking for its first ever Canadian title.

– The winner of this series will represent Canada at the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League.

What's next

The Vancouver Whitecaps return to MLS action on Saturday when they visit the New York Red Bulls (live on Sportsnet Pacific at 4pm PT/7pm ET). The Montreal Impact visit Sporting Kansas City on the same night.