Hello!

Keen observers of this newsletter will notice the title (and the usual subject line) doesn’t include an issue number this week.

And that’s by design.

While I intend to return next week with Issue #62, I decided that I wanted to touch on a few different subjects and didn’t feel they fit into the structure of the usual fare you might be used to.

So please forgive me if this isn’t your type of vibe and rest assured the usually scheduled content will return soon-ish.

The Touchline

Presuming the newsletter makes it into 2027 (more on that down below), my high-level plan is to adjust the usual segments a bit (The View and Around the Pitch) by including The Touchline as more a random thoughts component.

So consider this the first one. Like early access. Or the beta test. Maybe even the alpha test.

Hi5tory is history

• What a rough second-leg in Montreal. No consistent threat offensively throughout the match.

• I don’t quite understand the logic on the penalty against Sam Adekugbe, unless the referee saw an angle that never made it to our screens. I’m not one to suggest malfeasance on the part of an official, a league, or an association and I won’t suggest that here. But it’s hard for me, even if I take my ‘Caps blue shades off, to see how Sam did anything wrong.

• Moving forward, I hope it’s always Sabbi then Bruno.

• Yadaly Diaby looked good at least. Too bad the structure didn’t allow him to flourish.

A Real Statement

• Considering how the ‘Caps played against Austin a week-ish prior, I expected the bounce back match to occur against CF Montreal. Guess they wanted to save it for Real Salt Lake.

• Nice to see the ‘Caps score first in a match again. And yes, I’m being greedy when I say that.

• Much has was made on that dummy from Brian White on the Thomas Müller goal, but what about that fabulous touch from Diaby to set Müller up?! It was magnificent.

• Édier Ocampo is a better player than the three-to-four rolls per foul he’s trying to draw.

k̓ʷam̓k̓ʷəm̓θət Musqueam Pitch Announcement

• Like so many, I reacted very optimistically to the email of a joint announcement between the Musqueum and the Whitecaps. Guess enough of us did that the team needed to temper expectations with a follow-up on what the announcement was about.

• I highly encourage all of you to review the pronunciation guide.

Uncertain Waters Ahead

• I’d be lying to you if listening to Axel Schuster discuss the uncertain future didn’t have me pessimistic.

• With both a municipal election, and now a provincial election, only weeks away, there’s little belief on my part that any movement on the Whitecaps FC stadium situation can happen. Provincially cabinet functions as a caretaker, only ensuring “the lights stay on” and sort out any emergencies that may arise during the campaign period. And it’s hard to think any municipality would do more than promise, for fear it disrupts voter intention.

• So what does this mean? It’s still possible that PavCo can come to a reasonable deal with the Whitecaps FC - maybe something in the short-term sprint season sense. But that provides no certainty of what the future may hold. Plus there’s limited understanding of what the next government will do.

• What about the MOU for the Hastings Racetrack? Consider that item something in a back pocket and part of a potential longer-term-kinda-maybe-future. Still need a team in Vancouver with a pitch to play on before a stadium gets built there. Or anywhere else for that matter.

The Future of From 231

• Presuming there’s a team to follow and write about, I do plan on having this newsletter stick around into 2027. And maybe even beyond. But I also need to realistically assess how I go about it.

• Instead of a weekly issue, I’m thinking of doing shortly post-match review newsletters. My hope is that doing this will help spread the time it takes to “print & publish” to more manageable chunks.

• There’s a good chance they’ll be more free-form, similar to this approach. I’ve never been a wordsmith, but I’ve always had opinions. This lets me get them out without getting all tied up on how to present them.

• This will mean The View will be the post-match thoughts, Around the Pitch will showcase other Whitecaps FC content I feel needs to be shared, while additional topics will receive the titled treatment you see here.

• Open to feedback on all of this.

So there we have it. A different approach, to a slightly different newsletter, on an entirely different day in your inbox.

If you’ve made it this far, I would love for you to hit the reply button and share your thoughts. If you think the new format is more your style, or if you’d rather I bin it now and never discuss it again, please tell me. Heck, if you’d like to know what handful of songs I’d put on a “This is Chris” mixtape, I’d let you know that too.

The point I’m making is the one thing that motivates me to continue this newsletter is the small, yet vibrant, community that follows. Whether it’s in the From 231 Discord server, those who engage with me on socials, or drop the odd reply - I live off that and use it to fuel every issue.

So thank you. And know that I truly appreciate each and every one of you who happens to give this a read, even if it’s just a quick scan before hitting the trash button. 😄