OT: 2024 Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps Thread

[SeawaterOnIce]

Would be a sad development, at basically the same time as the World Cup comes to Vancouver--that they lost their MLS team. Not a great look for local soccer.

At one time, Vancouver was seen as a 'soccer hotbed' in North America. But that was 'then' and this is 'now'.

There's just too many things going against the viability of an MLS franchise here. You need year after year growth and that requires a population that can emotionally and financially invest into the sport. A lot of locals who were born and raised here are solely invested in the Vancouver Canucks.

Ultimately we are a small market franchise in a league that has seen insane growth. Markets down south have the diverse population that can sustain stable revenue and can afford to bring in established stars that can sell tickets. It's really unfortunate because I was pulling for South Asian talent to emerge from the WCFC academy or for us to maybe sign Sunil Chhetri. It would have been a huge shot in the arm into tapping into a market but alas....it just hasn't happened.

 

[VanJack]

There's just too many things going against the viability of an MLS franchise here. You need year after year growth and that requires a population that can emotionally and financially invest into the sport. A lot of locals who were born and raised here are solely invested in the Vancouver Canucks.

Ultimately we are a small market franchise in a league that has seen insane growth. Markets down south have the diverse population that can sustain stable revenue and can afford to bring in established stars that can sell tickets. It's really unfortunate because I was pulling for South Asian talent to emerge from the WCFC academy or for us to maybe sign Sunil Chhetri. It would have been a huge shot in the arm into tapping into a market but alas....it just hasn't happened.

I was looking at the MLS Clubs list. And while I agree that Vancouver isn't exactly a 'big market' MLS team, they're not nearly the smallest either.

I'm looking at teams in Austin, Texas; Cincinnati; Charlotte; Salt lake City; Portland and Nashville and they aren't exactly big places. And even St. Louis and Kansas City aren't as big cities as they used to be. And a lot of these markets have fierce competition from the NFL, the NBA, College Football and the NHL.

I don't profess to know why Vancouver's MLS team is losing so much money. And why they can't draw more fans to B.C. Place. Vancouver was a soccer hotbed back in the day.....but it slowly just faded away.

 

[Jroach]

Daniel Ríos to Vancouver Whitecaps? Experienced striker joins on loan from Chivas

The Vancouver Whitecaps are set to sign Daniel Ríos on loan from Liga MX side Chivas. The 29-year-old Mexican striker is currently in Vancouver to complete his medical and is supposed to push current [...]

www.transfermarkt.us

I like the Rios acquisition. Having a competent backup striker behind White rather than a guy like Levonte Johnson who provided pretty much nothing but speed/athleticism is pretty big. Good to get some experienced striking talent, even if it's not going to be 'class', it should give White some competition there.

 

[Fatass]

I was looking at the MLS Clubs list. And while I agree that Vancouver isn't exactly a 'big market' MLS team, they're not nearly the smallest either.

I'm looking at teams in Austin, Texas; Cincinnati; Charlotte; Salt lake City; Portland and Nashville and they aren't exactly big places. And even St. Louis and Kansas City aren't as big cities as they used to be. And a lot of these markets have fierce competition from the NFL, the NBA, College Football and the NHL.

I don't profess to know why Vancouver's MLS team is losing so much money. And why they can't draw more fans to B.C. Place. Vancouver was a soccer hotbed back in the day.....but it slowly just faded away.

BC Place is a horrid venue for soccer (and football).
Caps (and Lions) would be doing so much better if the waterfront stadium proposed several years ago was allowed to be built. Imo the Caps will be sold and relocated.

 

[Frostage]

I know it has been said time and time again but Aquaman's willingness to spend and impatience would work well in the MLS, especially with the new "cash for player" rule. He could buy a number of quality players in one off-season.

As for declining viewers/attendance the Whitecaps don't seem to do themselves any favours with their marketing. Additionally, as remarked on above, BC Place is not a great venue and has stupid clear bag rules and mandatory bag checks which annoy people.

 

[PanniniClaus]

So the Caps have brought another mediocre goalkeeper in?

Further block Boehmer's progression.

 

[Lindgren]

So the Caps have brought another mediocre goalkeeper in?

Further block Boehmer's progression.

Elaboration?

Link?

 

[PanniniClaus]

Elaboration?

Link?

I believe this is it.

MSN

 

[End on a Hinote]

I just want them to rip the bandaid off and tell us all that this will be the last season of Whitecaps soccer in Vancouver.

I'm sick of clinging on to the last morsel of false hope that Vancouver is destined to be the Toronto of the west. The sooner they announce that then the sooner I can start accepting the harsh but true reality that, at least in sports terms, we are just a west coast Winnipeg.

 

[VanJack]

About the only hope is that MLS might step in and require that any new buyers keep the team in Vancouver. I feel certain that it would a serious disappointment to MLS if the league failed in Vancouver.

But if the franchise is losing $20m a year as is being reported, then there's probably no hope. And the Caps will join the Grizzlies in the moving vans out of town.

Hard to understand why a City that from all reports hosted the most successful Olympic Winter Games in history, can't step up and support any other pro franchise other than the Canucks.

 

[DFAC]

About the only hope is that MLS might step in and require that any new buyers keep the team in Vancouver. I feel certain that it would a serious disappointment to MLS if the league failed in Vancouver.

But if the franchise is losing $20m a year as is being reported, then there's probably no hope. And the Caps will join the Grizzlies in the moving vans out of town.

Hard to understand why a City that from all reports hosted the most successful Olympic Winter Games in history, can't step up and support any other pro franchise other than the Canucks.

Cost of living is too high in Vancouver, people don't have enough money for rent/food let alone disposable income to go watch sports. Not to mention salary and wages here are usually much lower than the US and even other places in Canada

High cost of living & low wages = bad combo

 

[Jyrki21]

So the Caps have brought another mediocre goalkeeper in?

Further block Boehmer's progression.

No, Boehmer will be the backup and play Cup games etc., just as he was last year with Joe Bendik on the roster. This is more like the third-stringer that allows Boehmer to commit to both the first and second team.

Hard to understand why a City that from all reports hosted the most successful Olympic Winter Games in history, can't step up and support any other pro franchise other than the Canucks.

There isn’t much of a connection there. The Winter Games aren’t a team that does or doesn’t own its own building.

 

[logan5]

About the only hope is that MLS might step in and require that any new buyers keep the team in Vancouver. I feel certain that it would a serious disappointment to MLS if the league failed in Vancouver.

But if the franchise is losing $20m a year as is being reported, then there's probably no hope. And the Caps will join the Grizzlies in the moving vans out of town.

Hard to understand why a City that from all reports hosted the most successful Olympic Winter Games in history, can't step up and support any other pro franchise other than the Canucks.

The team had the 7th highest average attendance in the league last year, so there is still a huge potential for MLS in Vancouver. Ownership has been terrible here, and has let soccer fans down in a big way.

Last year, Burnaby offered the to build an MLS stadium where Swangard sits. Burnaby wants to build up Metrotown as a true downtown destination, so the Whitecaps would get a sweetheart deal - free land, and Burnaby would kick in some money to build the stadium and give control to the Whitecaps. It is essential that they get their own stadium moving forward with new ownership.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

The team had the 7th highest average attendance in the league last year, so there is still a huge potential for MLS in Vancouver. Ownership has been terrible here, and has let soccer fans down in a big way.

Last year, Burnaby offered the to build an MLS stadium where Swangard sits. Burnaby wants to build up Metrotown as a true downtown destination, so the Whitecaps would get a sweetheart deal - free land, and Burnaby would kick in some money to build the stadium and give control to the Whitecaps. It is essential that they get their own stadium moving forward with new ownership.

No doubt ownership has been awful but the attendance figures are a one off as many casuals were duped into purchasing season tickets so they can be guarenteed seats for Inter Miami.

Cost of living is too high in Vancouver, people don't have enough money for rent/food let alone disposable income to go watch sports. Not to mention salary and wages here are usually much lower than the US and even other places in Canada

High cost of living & low wages = bad combo

Spot on. This city is a playground for the rich and has been hollowed out the past 10-20 years. Transient residence and tourists could give two f***s about watching a mid soccer team.

The franchise needs sponsorship deals. They need a fanbase to buy merch. They need residents to buy into cable/streaming services.

 

[VanJack]

No doubt ownership has been awful but the attendance figures are a one off as many casuals were duped into purchasing season tickets so they can be guarenteed seats for Inter Miami.



Spot on. This city is a playground for the rich and has been hollowed out the past 10-20 years. Transient residence and tourists could give two f***s about watching a mid soccer team.

The franchise needs sponsorship deals. They need a fanbase to buy merch. They need residents to buy into cable/streaming services.

A 'playground for the rich' might describe the City of Vancouver and the North Shore......but the further out you go in the Lower Mainland, the cheaper the cost of living.

I defer to followers of the Caps who know a lot more about the franchise and MLS than I do. But seems to me a natural grass pitch and an outdoor stadium like they have in Great Britain, somewhere in the heart of the Lower Mainland, might rejuvenate the team here. Constant complaints about the 'dead atmosphere' for games at B.C. Place.

I think this year I might finally break down and head out to a Vancouver FC game in Langley. I hear Canadian Premier League soccer is pretty underrated.

 

[logan5]

No doubt ownership has been awful but the attendance figures are a one off as many casuals were duped into purchasing season tickets so they can be guarenteed seats for Inter Miami.



Spot on. This city is a playground for the rich and has been hollowed out the past 10-20 years. Transient residence and tourists could give two f***s about watching a mid soccer team.

The franchise needs sponsorship deals. They need a fanbase to buy merch. They need residents to buy into cable/streaming services.

Casual soccer fans don't buy season tickets to see one game with Messi. That uptick tells me that there are lots of fans out there that are willing to pay to see top players, which ownership has not provided, even when they got that big transfer payment for Davies.

Bring in some bigger name players, and the fans will respond. We need a proper stadium for that though, as these guys won't play on artificial turf, and it would also improve the game experience, which would draw more fans. BC Place is not a great place to watch a soccer match.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Casual soccer fans don't buy season tickets to see one game with Messi. That uptick tells me that there are lots of fans out there that are willing to pay to see top players, which ownership has not provided, even when they got that big transfer payment for Davies.

Bring in some bigger name players, and the fans will respond. We need a proper stadium for that though, as these guys won't play on artificial turf, and it would also improve the game experience, which would draw more fans. BC Place is not a great place to watch a soccer match.

They absolutely did.

They went from selling 8,800 season tickets in 2023 to 16,000 tickets in 2024. Now they are all the suddenly struggling to meet the 2023 numbers.

It was all about scalpers wanting to make a return and casuals wanting a guaranteed chance to see Messi and co. Many season ticket holders didn't bother showing up to other games.