OT: 2024 Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps Thread
- Thread starter Jyrki21
- Start date
From what little I saw of the Caps this year, it seemed to me that when Rryan Gauld and Brian White are out of the lineup, they're just not the same team.
But if people feel the Whitecaps depth is the equivalent of any team in the MLS, then I defer to them. Just don't see enough games to comment.
Well yeah, that’s their two leading scorers. There isn’t a team in the league that won’t be noticeably worse when that happens.
I’m a broken record on this, but the Whitecaps are very much in the league’s mushy-middle majority. They are at a decided disadvantage compared to the other ones (turf, West, Canada) which means they are on the lower end of it and unlikely to ever win big, but the “darling” teams are the ones who get all the attention, so fans have an impression that they are the norm. But they really aren’t.
CascadiaPuck
Proud Canucks investor.
- Aug 28, 2011
- 18,201
- 23,064
Massive news.
This is either really good news or horrific news for the franchise depending on who steps up to buy the franchise.
The current ownership group clearly lacked any ambition to invest in the franchise. Either cheaping out on-field personnel in their early days or going the route of spending on players but totally cheaping out when it came to managing/scouting personnel.
There are a few concerns.
You can bet there are many thirsty business moguls and consortiums down in the USA licking their chops at an opportunity for relocation. I don't think there would be much resistance from Don Garber given the fact we posted the lowest revenue in the league.
A local ownership group would have to be ok with really not inheriting much. There's no soccer specific stadium nor feasible sites to build one. They are stuck at BC Place if they buy the franchise.
The only local guy that I could see realistically buying this franchise is Amar Doman who owns the BC Lions. However, running costs may be too high for him.
Unfortunately I have a sinking feeling this city is about to lose their MLS franchise. It's been the sentiment I've had for a few years due to the overall lack of fan interest along with the fact we are a smallish market that cannot attract a full cast of decent players.
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Just A Bit Outside
Playoffs??!
- Mar 6, 2010
- 18,032
- 17,867
Good riddance.
Cheapskates from the beginning.
Now trying to sell when team values have gone up as they don't want to spend the money for a competitive team.
Cheapskates from the beginning.
Now trying to sell when team values have gone up as they don't want to spend the money for a competitive team.
logan5
Registered User
Francesco Aquilini showed interest in putting forth an expansion bid back in 2008, so I have to think he has a lot of interest now. He has deep pockets and is a sports fan that likes winning. The first thing the new owner needs to do is build a soccer specific stadium. burnaby is willing to put up some land and money at Swangard, so there's a huge opportunity there. Finally and chance to put this franchise on the right track.
- Aug 28, 2011
- 18,201
- 23,064
The only way FAQ invests any money in a new site is if there's incredible real estate potential with the site. This is where I think the Waterfront Stadium may be up his ally because you could theoretically build swaths of developments over the railyards.
logan5
Registered User
The City has other plans for the waterfront. Just not going to happen, as fantastic as it would be, as in best stadium experience in NA.
There wouldn't be any potential to build condo towers right at the Swangard sight, but there's always real estate potential around a major stadium. If a new stadium were built at Swangard, you are already in a high demand dense neighbourhood like Metrotown. The City of Vancouver would almost certainly up zone the area across from Swangard, to allow towers, so lots of opportunity there.
The Whitecaps are the 2nd lowest valuable team in the league, so the value can only go up for the new owner, and it probly wouldn't be long for the Whitecaps with their own stadium, and all the teams in general for their valuations to hit 1 billion in 20 years or so.
Is there much history in MLS of a team pulling up stakes and moving to another city? My impression is that while MLS has welcomed a slew of expansion teams into the fold, nobody has left an existing market and moved to a new location.
I think it's probably something that the MLS discourages......but of course they have located in some markets that make you wonder about their long-term viability. But I just can't see MLS wanting to abandon the Vancouver market, given its soccer history and natural rivalry with Seattle and Portland.
Bubbles
Die Hard for Bedard 2023
I was curious at that comment, then I looked up the Whitecaps attendance this year and it increased 56% this year from 2023. 26,121 from 2023's 16,745 average. If anyone can explain why the huge increase, I would like to know.
I think Vancouver will always be a small potatos team in the MLS no matter the owner. Maybe if some rich Saudi or Red Bull buys it, there will be money flowing.
It would have been a whole different story had Kerfoot been allowed to build that waterfront stadium. Don't know the exact reasons but I think it was the city, the port authority, cn rail and various other parties that said no.
The Whitecaps are like the B.C. Lions.....there's a core of supporters who come out every year. In case of the caps it's the same 20,000-25,000 fans--many of whom have supported the team for years.
But you can't spend the hundreds of millions necessary for a waterfront stadium, even if the Port and the Province had been willing to give up the land....which was never in the cards. I mean how could you ever justify such an expense for the same 20,000 or so hardy fans.....and how long would it take for a waterfront stadium to become a total 'white elephant'?
A natural grass stadium like BMO Field might work in a City like Toronto, which is almost three times bigger than Vancouver. But a waterfront natural grass field in Vancouver was a pipe dream.
Wry n Ginger
Water which is too pure has no fish
Bubbles
Die Hard for Bedard 2023
It was only $70 million or so back in 2004? when it was proposed. And look at that land now, it's still a bunch of parking spots and a gravel lot. I don't see how it would be a white elephant and when it was going to be used for other sporting events and music concerts.
But that is a dead issue, there was too many parties with too much at stake.
Don't think the Caps can keep using a government owned stadium for much longer. They have to build their own facility with real grass.
