One year until MLS hits Vancouver
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 9:05 AM PDT
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PrintSo I realize this is a Canucks blog but I didn't know where else to write about my feelings regarding MLS coming to Van City. We are now one year away from Vancouver being the home to the top level of Football in North America when the Vancouver Whitecaps join the MLS which is our version of the English Premier League or Serie A. It is the remnant of the World Cup in 1994 in the USA and replaced the defunct North American Soccer League. Those of you with a bit more vintage than myself may remember that the Whitecaps were NASL Champions back in 1979. It may come as no surprise to most of you that I am extremely pumped up about the MLS coming to Vancouver.
There are several reasons for my excitement over the MLS and Vancouver becoming one. First of all there is the fact that the Whitecaps will play the first couple games of their inagural season in the MLS at Empire Fields. Now Empire Fields is basically a community field out at the PNE grounds.
Empire Fields is being converted as we speak into a temporary stadium for use by the BC Lions while their home is being upgraded. The Leos will play there for all of the 2010 and some of the 2011 seasons. Due to BC Place's renovations not being completed in time for the start of the 2011-2012 MLS season the Vancouver Whitecaps will also be using the temporary facility to being their MLS tenure. Here is an artists rendering of the new temporary stadium.
I for one think the return of Football and Canadian Football to the sight of old Empire Stadium is long overdue. That old stadium should never have been torn down to being with and instead should have been upgraded so that today it would be a modern 50,000 seat outdoor stadium with a beautiful view and plenty of links to downtown via public transit. Of course that never happened and instead the old place was torn down taking with it a lot of memories. Empire Stadium was first built so that Vancouver could host the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games or what is now known as just the Commonwealth Games. It is the sight where Roger Bannister ran the miracle mile. The first man ever to run a mile in less than 4 minutes.
via media.canada.com
This was also the stadium where a little known band called The Beatles played when they were in Vancouver. Not a Beatles fan? Well Elvis Presley himself played Empire Stadium as well. So yeah I am a fan of Empire Stadium. It had it's flaws but nothing some TLC couldn't have fixed and it sure had history. Like hosting a ski jumping (really?) competition. The pictures are striking.
I wished it had never been torn down and I am glad that for a year at least it will be back (sort of).
Another reason I am stoked that Vancouver is rejoining the MLS is because the Whitecaps have a winning tradition. They have won at the level they play at now (A League? or USL or something) and they won when they were in the NASL and Vancouver doesn't have enough winners. The Giants have won a Memorial Cup recently and the Lions win the ocassional Grey Cup but we need more teams with Championship potential and the Whitecaps can be that team. Their current setup is developing elite soccer players all the time and I have no doubt that the staff in place now will take very little time to adjust to the MLS and they will be bringing a winner to BC before too long.
And the final reason I am excited about all of this is the potential for a GREAT rivalry with our Pacific Northwest neighbors in Seattle. Seattle Sounders FC are the current MLS team down the I-5 from the Peace Arch crossing. The Whitecaps and Sounders have had a long running rivalry and once the two teams are back in the same league, and the top league in North America, that rivalry will be ramped up big time. I for one can not wait to head down to Seattle and sing my lungs out in support of the Whitecaps. Plus there will be a nice rivalry with the current poster child for how to run an MLS team, and arguably a large reason why MLS was so eager to come back to Canada, Toronto FC. The teams already play each other for a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League and playing each other in league games will only serve to add to the bad blood between the two sets of fans. Fingers crossed Montreal will be in the MLS soon as well and thus creating another strong rival for our squad.
So there you have it. Three reasons why I am pumped for the start of the Whitecaps journey in the MLS one year from today and you should be pumped too.
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Not only the Sounders, but the Timbers too. I remember taking trips with Whitecap fans to both Portland and Seattle. Ahhh…to be young.
Sitting at Empire with 25,000 soccer crazies…helping defend the parents of one of the Drillers’ players when a bunch of moronic Edmonton fans started throwing beer and shit. Idiots couldn’t figure out why we were all crowded around a couple of seniors…fuckin’ Edmonton! The kid joined the Caps the next year!
Empire was great. BC Place too…at one point the Whitecaps had something like 50,000 for a soccer game!
The new stadium will be awesome. Look for the Whitecaps to be one of the quickest teams ever to go from joining a league to winning it. Bob Lenarduzzi is the man. Someone that has been there through most of it. He’ll help a lot.
Section…they won in the NASL, the CSL ( Canadian Soccer League, a time when our team was called the Eightysixers, and people still called them the ’Caps when talking over a beer! ) and the USL.
I am so stoked too Section. They just hired a guy to be Prez from Tottenham. This team has probably more feelers and connections out there in the “football” world than most of the MLS teams. Can’t wait to see the fruits of that.
Nice post bud…
"I’m not asking for first-line money or top six money," Burrows said. "I don’t think it changes anything. I still consider myself a checker. That’s what I think I am first. That’s how I want to be paid. "If I can generate offence once in a while, I think it’s a plus for the team." Alex Burrows...Mar/09
No surprise that they are connected to Tottenham since that is Steve Nash’s team. He has supported them his whole life and I am sure that Nash and the Whitecaps have a relationship I’m just not sure what that relationship is at this point. But I do know that Nash trained with the Caps youngsters last summer I believe.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Steve is a part owner now…
"I’m not asking for first-line money or top six money," Burrows said. "I don’t think it changes anything. I still consider myself a checker. That’s what I think I am first. That’s how I want to be paid. "If I can generate offence once in a while, I think it’s a plus for the team." Alex Burrows...Mar/09
Hey, I’m definitely excited for this. Old Swanguard stadium has always been too far away for me, especially with the parking and traffic being terrible. Not that I expect it to be any different hear.
Though I may be too young to remember most of what you’ve recalled, I have played a handful of soccer games at Empire field and it’s absolutely beautiful out there. I’ll try to make it out there. When does the season start?
So don't get violent and don't get caught with your head down, the night she stole the moon.
Any word on how they’ll keep their residency program afloat? It’s a fantastic idea, one I can definitely see more MLS teams emulating, but I thought there was some difficulty keeping the structure under MLS rules.
Alas, it will be a lot of fun. Sounders set the bar pretty high for expansion team success, but if any team can best their record, its the Whitecaps.
My hopes exceed my expectations
-WeepingTile
From what I understand, the residency program is all systems go.
Which is good, because it is already producing players like Marcus Haber. I believe it was West Brom he just signed for, and there have been other players sold.
As I understand it, they have not had restrictions on it, but I may need to do more reading on that.
And yes, it is currently the envy of other teams that have been in the MLS from the start.
"I’m not asking for first-line money or top six money," Burrows said. "I don’t think it changes anything. I still consider myself a checker. That’s what I think I am first. That’s how I want to be paid. "If I can generate offence once in a while, I think it’s a plus for the team." Alex Burrows...Mar/09
I read this post on a blog called Fake Sigi about a month ago. It seemed to suggest that the Residency’s days were numbered, I guess reading between the lines, because MLS relies on NCAA programs to develop players, which I guess is why I keep hearing more and more about the College Cup down here.
But it wasn’t definitive. There seemed to be the possibility of fitting the Caps system into the broader MLS structure.
I am looking forward to the move, though it has been pointed out to me in fact that there are downsides, such as this blog post points out, and there are some ways the Whitecaps might miss the NASL/USL.
My hopes exceed my expectations
-WeepingTile
I can’t remember, what was the ultimate reason that Kerfoot was not able to build a stadium on the waterfront down by the SeaBus terminal? It really is too bad that was not allowed to proceed as it would have involved minimal taxpayer contributions and been a great location for transit.
How do you guys think they will do attendance wise once they are out of Swanguard and in the MLS, 25K per game?
Max…what that story doesn’t tell you is the real reason. Kerfoot wants a prime piece of waterfront, pretty well the only piece still available.
There would be room in his plan for other buildings besides the stadium.
So, the “residents groups” were created to fight it. They are ALL financed by big developers that want that land for themselves.
So stupid, a guy wants to build a stadium that will cost the taxpayer nothing, and enrich our city…and he has been fought tooth and nail for years.
The hold up now is supposed “negotiations” with the Port Authority. Don’t believe it. When the right palm has been greased, we might see it happen.
"I’m not asking for first-line money or top six money," Burrows said. "I don’t think it changes anything. I still consider myself a checker. That’s what I think I am first. That’s how I want to be paid. "If I can generate offence once in a while, I think it’s a plus for the team." Alex Burrows...Mar/09
I know a couple of real estate developers and they very rarely build in Vancouver. They say it’s just was too hard to get through all the red tape. That’s why you see all those newish buildings just on the other side of Boundary.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
I heard this from several of the people that live in Gastown, that were approached to join the “residents group”…and did some investigating of their own. My friend wants the stadium, and so do a bunch of residents…
The resident’s group is funded by some developers in the city. I have no reason to doubt my old neighbors…
"I’m not asking for first-line money or top six money," Burrows said. "I don’t think it changes anything. I still consider myself a checker. That’s what I think I am first. That’s how I want to be paid. "If I can generate offence once in a while, I think it’s a plus for the team." Alex Burrows...Mar/09
I am pumped too! Gotta say, though it makes me kinda a bandwagoner, that I never cared too much about the 86ers/Caps growing up in Vancouver. Something about them playing in the MLS raises the level and interest for me. Living in Toronto, I almost jumped on the FC bandwagon a few years back (games are apparently mental, with singing, chanting, jumping up and down, abusing the opponents, etc.) but I held out in hopes that the rumoured Whitecaps promotion to MLS would transpire. Now that it has I will be a huge Caps fan from a distance (think it’s time for a jersey!).
www.nucksandpucks.com
http://twitter.com/nucksandpucks
Really looking forward to this myself!
As a kid, I used to hear story’s and see the pictures of the whitecaps win in 79 and that era of Football in B.C. My father was working for the team at the time and kept many vintage collectors items from the Caps. I still have one of their blue and white leather (?) foot balls that my dad gave me. Hes got many panorama type pictures of the old stadium and a huge 10’ Bob Lenarduzzi poster I’ll have to revive.
Jesse…
Are you either Don Taylor’s or Jim Taylor’s kid?
by east_van_joe on Mar 26, 2010 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Montreal will be in by 2012. It’s not even an issue. In the next few weeks the Quebec government will be announcing funding to help Saputo renovate State Saputo, which is the only stumbling block between Montreal and the MLS. I can’t wait for MLS to get here. I watched the Sounders beat Philly last night and the manner in which Seattle’s soccer community—and sporting community, more generally—has embraced the Sounders is nothing short of astounding.
When Vancouver and Portland, and Montreal start play, Vancouver will have the honour of being a sort of lynch-pin for the success of the league in that they will be involved in the two most intense rivalry triumvarates—let’s call them Cascadia and Canadia. That’ll mean at least 12 derbies annually (8 in MLS regular season, 4 in the Voyageur’s Cup to determine Canada’s representative in the CONCACAF Champtions League, and (hopefully!) playoff games as well.
I’m pumped.
Yeah I forgot about Portland. I know that Whitecaps supporters are already making that trip, they take buses down to Portland, and I am sure even more people will be making the road trips to Seattle and Portland. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a high speed rail line linking those cities? I really think in 5 years Seattle, Portland, and the 3 Canadian teams will be the real strength of MLS. I don’t see any reason why MLS in Portland and Vancouver won’t take off the way it did in Seattle and Toronto. Montreal is a Football mad area as well. Those derbies you mentioned will be the highlights of most peoples seasons.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
The three California teams — LA, San Jose and Chivas — are really close and definitely overnight trippable. The Caps will have three good dimensions for rivalries — other Canadian teams, other Pacific Northwest teams, and other West Coast teams. I love the Lions, but I can see the Caps quickly eclipsing them on the local sports scene.
My hopes exceed my expectations
-WeepingTile
Short-time lurker, first-time caller. Glad to see that Whitecaps joining MLS. Still going to be a Sounders fan, but I’m looking forward to the short road trips from Bellingham. I think we can both agree that the Canucks rock and that we should all laugh at the Timbers.
You gotta stay with your team
I was, and still am I guess, a Sonics fan well before the Grizzlies existed and I never switched allegiances. I used to spend a lot of time in Belligham having grown up just the other side of the border from Lynden. We can bond over our Nucks but on game days between the Sounders and Whitecaps we will be enemies. Just for 2 hours though.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
So stoked to cheer on a pro league home team. One with tickets not as expensive as our most beloved hockey team.
Kinda wish they’d do another one of those ski jumping competitions at Empire Fields. That I’d pay money to see.
"I was thinking it would be cool to see a game on the road. I have been looking all over this atlas but I don't see Vancouver anywhere. What state is this sh*t in!?"
- Dallas Stars Forum
Normally they stop ski jumping if the wind picks up because the jumpers could be blown off course. But if they did that again I would be worried about that whole structure blowing over.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm really excited for the Whitecaps for two reasons.
a) The rivalry between the Whitecaps, Sounders (my team) and Timbers should be really intense. I can imagine a day in the not too distant future when Qwest gets opened up to the 67,000 capacity, when we meet one of these teams in the playoffs, to accomidate all the fans from both sides.
b) The rivalry generates enough national excitement over time that the NHL is motivated to to try and cash in on it and moves a franchise to Seattle, and maybe even Portland.
by Mind of no mind on Mar 26, 2010 6:17 PM PDT reply actions
You gotta think
that other sports leagues have noticed how a well run franchise can succeed in Seattle. But can it support the Hawks, Mariners, Sounders and an NHL team?
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Mar 26, 2010 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Seattle needs a building before they consider luring a new NHL or NBA franchise. I believe a part of the settlement that allowed the Sonics to leave required the Washington legislature to approve renovations to Key Arena before the end of last year. If they approved the renovations and did not attract a team within five years of the Sonics leaving, Clay Bennett would be on the hook for a balloon payment.
I can’t find confirmation that the approval took place, but give the horrid looking state budget deficit, I would doubt it.
My hopes exceed my expectations
-WeepingTile
Thoughts on the proposed mega-casino to be built next to New BC Place?
"I was thinking it would be cool to see a game on the road. I have been looking all over this atlas but I don't see Vancouver anywhere. What state is this sh*t in!?"
- Dallas Stars Forum
by eightyseven on Mar 26, 2010 7:39 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I do loves me some footy. I played until I blew out my knee. I still play, but beer league...
ALLEZ LES BLEUS.
I support France in le Coupe du Monde, in case the first sentence didn’t make any sense.
"But yeah…like CC…I harbour no ill will." - VancityDan
by Chuckles Canuckles on Mar 27, 2010 2:21 AM PDT reply actions
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