Issue #4 - So Much Happened
This week, we celebrated a thrilling Whitecaps FC draw, a home win, and exciting stadium news!
What a week to have a newsletter. First we had a true CONCACAF experience on Wednesday. Then news of a potential stadium on Friday. And all this capped off with a Whitecaps FC win on Saturday. Not entirely certain I'll do it all justice, but here goes.
The View
As a kid who grew up in Canada, my exposure to international soccer was somewhat limited. I’d get the occasional Soccer Saturday match on TSN which gave me a glimpse of the Premier League, and every four years a World Cup would be televised which let me see some of the top national sides.
Yet if you told me there was a distinct difference in playing style across the federations, I’d haven’t a clue what you would be talking about.
A CONCACAF? What’s a CONCACAF?
So if you’re like me then now, the Whitecaps FC match we saw on Wednesday night against Pumas is one of the best recent examples I can provide.
We had hijnks. We had lights going off multiple times during the match. And we had comments like this.
Despite key players away due to a really rough patch of injuries, the Whitecaps did well to dictate play throughout much of the match and were rewarded for their effort at the 71’ mark.
Whether due to karma, the benefits of the soccer Gods, or the “elite skill” of Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White, I had a good 20’ of hope that one goal would be enough.
Unfortunately, a missed assignment from Jeevan Badwal on a Pumas set piece and a failed ability to react to the subsequent shot from Yohei Takaoka allowed the Liga MX side to escape with a draw and the powerful away goal advantage.
Fast-forwarding ourselves to Saturday, Vancouver had little time to dwell on the missed opportunity as the Colorado Rapids were in town.
While news came out midweek that we might see the return of Andrés Cubas - who suffered a shoulder separation only a week before - I was considerably surprised when I sat down in my seat to see him make the Staring XI.
From kickoff, the Whitecaps looked to be the tentative of the two sides for the first 5 to 10 minutes. Colorado pressured the ‘Caps backline, and thankfully pressured themselves into a couple missed opportunities.
And then as if a switch had been flipped, the Whitecaps simply took over.
While I will admit I thought the deft touch from Brian White was going to miss the net - it didn’t - his goal was synonymous with how the team in Blue & White controlled the flow of the match. Their touches were delicate, yet direct. Balls were placed with accuracy & precision.
And the speed of the ‘Caps was on full display.
I “paged” Emmanuel Sabbi last week with the hope he’d return to form. And I guess Jesper felt this was the case as he not only had Emmanuel in the Starting XI, Emmanuel played the match like he knew the assignment.
His goal late in the first half - on fabulous set up from Ali Ahmed - was a thing of absolutely beauty, and a just reward for his effort the entire match. As reader Tony G. said, “Great move & goal from Sabbi v Colorado.”
And while we’ve seen teams adjust at the half to disrupt the Whitecaps entertaining style of play, this was not the case this past week as they continued their onslaught - including two beautiful strikes from Pedro Vite (he deserved that first one despite the Brian White offside).
With the two nil victory, Vancouver ended the week back on top of the league table.
What a time to be a fan!
The Good
Tate Johnson, have yourself a bow. While Tristan Blackmon had himself another solid week, Tate looked in fine from against Pumas and his setup on Brian White’s goal against Colorado was top.
Pedro Vite. It’s a shame he’ll be out of contract at season’s end, and it will be a mighty shame if his continued play results in him being bought by a European side in the Summer.
The Not So Good
Yohei Takaoka. I like Yohei. I really do. Yet for all the heat directed at Jeevan Badwal on the Pumas goal, Yohei simply didn’t react. And it’s not the first time we’ve seen him freeze on shots of similar quality. He needs to be better.
Around the Pitch
With the Whitecaps FC franchise up for sale, there is some considerable concern on how “sticky” they remain to the market considering their distinct lack of “brick & mortar” commitments.
This is why news last Friday that the team was in conversations with the City of Vancouver over a potential stadium on the Pacific National Exhibition fairgrounds was so out of section 255.
We can confirm that Whitecaps FC is currently in discussion with the City of Vancouver regarding the construction of a stadium at the PNE fairgrounds site. The club’s ownership has always been clear on their goal of constructing a purpose-built stadium and the importance of a suitable venue to both fan experience and financial performance for any professional sports franchise. We look forward to continuing our constructive engagement with the City and appreciate the City’s continued support for Vancouver’s thriving soccer community.
While discussions are nothing concrete, I have to think this is a good sign for those of us who wish the Whitecaps FC stay in Vancouver long-term.
As outlined in Bob Mackin’s article this past Friday, the potential of a purpose-built stadium “could be the catalyst to complete the sale of the club.” This also lines up with my thinking that a potential owner (or group) is involved in this type of conversation.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out, considering the first pass at a Whitecaps FC stadium in Downtown Vancouver fizzled fifteen or so years ago, yet I remain much more optimistic this round.
With my daughter’s birthday party next Saturday, I’ll have a different view of the match against Austin. If you’ll be there & want to share your thoughts, pass them to me and I’d be happy to include them in the next edition. 😁
From my seat to your browser!
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-Chris (@lyteforce.ca)