Hello!

With season ticket renewal emails out, how are all of you feeling? While some of you might have seen just a modest increase, a few others may have received something much more significant. And even worse, some of you might have received an email stating your seats are no longer available to you.

While I'll share my thoughts down below, I'm really keen to hear from all of you on this matter. Have you decided to keep your seats? Are you relocating instead? Or are you in a position where you think you may give them up? Shoot me a reply to this newsletter or let me know in the From 321 Discord!

And as we get into this issue, you’ll notice the structure is much more like the “special/bonus” issue last week, but with The View catching us up on the match that was.

So let’s get into things.

The View

• For those in attendance, what did you think of the pre-match fiddling to “Freed From Desire”? Gotta say I enjoyed it.

• With the MLS in action during an “international break,” Jesper Sørensen rotated the lineup quite a bit - starting BOTH Emmanuel Sabbi and Bruno Caicedo, while giving Aleksa Cvetković his first start. Surprisingly - at least to me - Sabbi AND Bruno kind of worked for a spell.

• We also saw another start for Rui Modesto. While I do like what Modesto brings, he seems very nonchalant in his attack and he’d often put the ball directly into the DC United bodies between him and his target.

• Tate Johnson had himself a rough match. I’m not certain if the season is catching up with Tate or if the competition has figured him out, but I’d definitely hang the third DC goal on him losing his man - if he ever even had him. Can’t defend like that and expect not to get punished.

• On the topic of defending, the Whitecaps really need to figure out how to defend the corner kick. It seems every opposition corner these past few months have been a hold-your-breath experience.

• Offensively, the Whitecaps actually generated goals at the pace of the xG - getting themselves two separate 1-goal leads. But in a rare occurrence this season, they actually lost the xG battle on the night.

The Good

• Bruno Caicedo. Bruno finally showed us he can play his style of ball in the Starting XI. Still like him behind Sabbi though.

The Not So Good

• Tate Johnson. I’m a big fan of Tate, but I wonder if it’s time he catch his breath and Sam Adekugbe get a start over him for a match.

The Touchline

Season Ticket Renewals

• With my seats in what is considered Endline B, I’m seeing close to a 30-40% year-over-year increase, one that is significantly more than my expectations. Yet that pales in comparison to those who are seeing increases of 50% to 100+%!!

• I understand the Whitecaps FC currently offer ticket pricing that is at the “more affordable end” compared to most other teams in MLS, and compared to the local professional sports market, “affordable” to other franchises. But what’s considered “affordable” to the club doesn’t mean it’s “affordable” to the supporter.

• I’m also appalled that many long-term season ticket holders, some of which are loyal members of the various passionate supporters groups, not receiving anything more than an automated email to advise them their seats are no longer available - whether it’s due to conversion to General Admission or no longer being considered part of the Supporters Section. How hard would it have been to reach out to them specifically to share the changes?!

• What does it mean for me? I’m not certain. As I write this issue, I’m currently leaning to opting-out of my season tickets. This is not to suggest I’m no longer a fan of the team I would love to continue to support, but realistically I’m not certain I can afford these tickets anymore. And while shifting to an Endline C or General Admission seat lowers the cost, I am unable to sit in the armrest cup-holder seats (nor could I stand for a match).

  • I will let all of you know what my final decision will be. I may opt-in to the Sprint season as a “final farewell,” but even that is uncertain.

A Stadium and a Star

• I don’t think it’s coincidental that we saw three separate semi-related things occur within days of each other - an agreement with BC Place for the Sprint Season, a Sprint Season extension for Thomas Müller, and season ticket holder renewals.

• While I still remain on the pessimistic side of the ‘Caps future, with an extension into the Sprint Season I’d have to imagine we’d also see a subsequent extension into the 2027-28 season in due time. Barring any bigger stadium deal before that of course.

• I’m a firm believer that Müller’s, commitment to play in Vancouver is contingent on stability as well as his ability to be a first-team player. Does that mean he’s back in 2027-28 too? If the team is in Vancouver, I’m leaning to yes.

With the Whitecaps FC back in action on Tuesday night as they take on Chicago Fire in the Windy City, look for the next issue to be published Wednesday or Thursday.

I hope to hear from many of you with your thoughts - and I’d love to hear your thoughts on what my decision should be. I do hope to be sitting with all y’all during both the “Sprint” and “2027-28” seasons… but if I’m not, know that I’ll be supporting from my couch!