OT: 2024 Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps Thread
- Thread starter Jyrki21
- Start date
I think the most proximate reason is that they don’t own their stadium. But obviously the current weakness of the Cdn dollar doesn’t help.
It really is a shame the Caps don't have a stadium like BMO Field in Toronto. I see they're spending more than $150m on the stadium to bring it up to standards for the 2026 World Cup.
A stadium like that would be a 'game-changer' for MLS soccer in Vancouver. But somehow, it feels further away than ever.
A stadium like that would be a 'game-changer' for MLS soccer in Vancouver. But somehow, it feels further away than ever.
Last edited:
Oh yeah, the Whitecaps played one of the strongest games they've had in a long time against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, but it took a very late goal by Belal Halbouni to notch a 1-1 tie in the first leg. Monterrey scored early-ish in what looked to pretty much everyone like a goal produced from an offside pass, but apparently Edier Ocampo might have played the guy onside from the other side of the field.
But the Caps really pressed in the second half and were unlucky not to score 3 or so. Jayden Nelson went down injured early, and the starters played a lot of minutes in this one, so you have to wonder how that will play into their next MLS start against Montreal this weekend.
Also, in World Cup news, LOL:
But the Caps really pressed in the second half and were unlucky not to score 3 or so. Jayden Nelson went down injured early, and the starters played a lot of minutes in this one, so you have to wonder how that will play into their next MLS start against Montreal this weekend.
Also, in World Cup news, LOL:
Yep.....Elon Musk and DOGE have hollowed out so many key Federal Departments-- now there isn't enough people to process the hundreds of thousands of visitors and media; deal with security issues or finish work on the stadiums.
FIFA is sounding the alarm with the World Cup only 15 months away. I guess Trump just isn't a 'footy' kind of guy.
FIFA is sounding the alarm with the World Cup only 15 months away. I guess Trump just isn't a 'footy' kind of guy.
there must be a site somewhere in the lower mainland for another Pop up stadium with caps having majority control with parking revenues etc.
Very strong effort, but the worry here is that Ryan Gauld could be seriously injured. Went down after landing following a header and had to be helped off the field.
Rookie Tate Johnson scored in his MLS debut while playing left back (because of Adekugbe’s injury and Ocampo’s suspension) which is pretty cool.
Yeah missing Gauld could be a massive loss for the Whitecaps. Hopefully it's not a long-term injury.
Has there been any update on Adekugbe?
I read somewhere that it may not as bad as it seemed (maybe just a couple weeks), but I'm not sure what the source was.
I think this is good news, all things considered? It depends if a "few" is a few, or is a "Rick Tocchet few".
- Jun 25, 2007
- 2,320
- 2,387
PanniniClaus
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2006
- 8,438
- 3,199
About to kick off in Mexico.
Don't know who Johnson is but it would be hard to defend worse than that.
Don't know who Johnson is but it would be hard to defend worse than that.
Last edited:
PanniniClaus
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2006
- 8,438
- 3,199
PanniniClaus
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2006
- 8,438
- 3,199
They ****ing pulled it off!! No Gauld, no Nelson, no Adekugbe, no Takaoka... two away goals in Mexico and the second-leg score was only tied because of a very questionable PK called right at the end.
What an effort. I was half-looking forward to them getting eliminated because they need the rest, but you have to hand it to them. Whitecaps made some history for Canadian soccer here tonight. Dream start for Sørensen.
What an effort. I was half-looking forward to them getting eliminated because they need the rest, but you have to hand it to them. Whitecaps made some history for Canadian soccer here tonight. Dream start for Sørensen.
One of the Achilles heals of this Caps team in recent seasons has been the lack of depth.....a couple of their star players go down with injuries, and the drop-off to the bench is vast.
So what's happened this year? The 'next man up' philosophy seems to be working. The replacement guys subbing in for injured starters, have been really impressive.
One of the best starts to a Caps season in recent memory.
So what's happened this year? The 'next man up' philosophy seems to be working. The replacement guys subbing in for injured starters, have been really impressive.
One of the best starts to a Caps season in recent memory.
PanniniClaus
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2006
- 8,438
- 3,199
Caps are one of the few teams in MLS history to start the season with four wins in four starts. Score in Dallas was 1-0, but another game where the Caps dominated territorial possession.
So used to the Caps struggling badly out of the gate in every new MLS season.....so this is a bit of a stunner.
So used to the Caps struggling badly out of the gate in every new MLS season.....so this is a bit of a stunner.
Jesper Sørensen's side has still not "really" lost a game across any competition (they lost the first leg against Saprissa in Costa Rica – just barely – but won the overall two-leg game). And they've done half of it without Ryan Gauld. It's remarkable.
Now within MLS they haven't had the roughest strength of schedule yet, it has to be said (LA Galaxy were missing a number of starters), but the Whitecaps of old tended to let the opposition dictate play, and so every game was a crapshoot no matter the opponent. To see them play on the front foot is just awesome, and a lot more enjoyable to watch. Last season, a scoreless first half after carrying play would have spelled doom – an opportunity missed – but then they just kept it up yesterday and eventually broke through.
Both Pedro Vite and Edier Ocampo have been outstanding so far. Ngando has been really effective too. There are a lot of rumors Vite will be sold in the summer transfer window because his contract is coming to an end, but he has really developed nicely and I hope they find a way to retain him.
Their next game against Chicago is going to be the toughest yet because most of their starters are on international duty (and two of the injured ones – Gauld and Adekugbe – would have been). It's going to be a true C-squad we see, which is too bad because it would be great to keep up the momentum of this start. Sebastian Berhalter will be playing against his father's squad, which is a fun angle.
Now within MLS they haven't had the roughest strength of schedule yet, it has to be said (LA Galaxy were missing a number of starters), but the Whitecaps of old tended to let the opposition dictate play, and so every game was a crapshoot no matter the opponent. To see them play on the front foot is just awesome, and a lot more enjoyable to watch. Last season, a scoreless first half after carrying play would have spelled doom – an opportunity missed – but then they just kept it up yesterday and eventually broke through.
Both Pedro Vite and Edier Ocampo have been outstanding so far. Ngando has been really effective too. There are a lot of rumors Vite will be sold in the summer transfer window because his contract is coming to an end, but he has really developed nicely and I hope they find a way to retain him.
Their next game against Chicago is going to be the toughest yet because most of their starters are on international duty (and two of the injured ones – Gauld and Adekugbe – would have been). It's going to be a true C-squad we see, which is too bad because it would be great to keep up the momentum of this start. Sebastian Berhalter will be playing against his father's squad, which is a fun angle.
It's Canada versus Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations semi-final Thursday night in SoCal.
Regardless of the outcome, it's still a 'red-letter day' for Canadian soccer. For perhaps the first time in program history, Canada is actually the 'betting favorite' heading into this contest.
Mexico have traditionally been a CONCACAF powerhouse. But in minds of the punters, Canada has caught up and actually passed them. Really impressive, when you think about it.
Regardless of the outcome, it's still a 'red-letter day' for Canadian soccer. For perhaps the first time in program history, Canada is actually the 'betting favorite' heading into this contest.
Mexico have traditionally been a CONCACAF powerhouse. But in minds of the punters, Canada has caught up and actually passed them. Really impressive, when you think about it.
Red
Registered User
The game on Thursday will also be televised on TSN, which is great for growing the popularity of the national team.
Jesse Marsh reporting that the Canadian backline is the fastest group he's ever coached. In fact the threshold to be considered a really fast soccer player, is running in excess of 37 kmh, and this Canadian side has a bunch of them.
In the last game against Mexico, they tried to slow the Canadians down with some brutal fouls and tackles.....but still got dominated, even though the game ended in a draw. I think we'll see more of the same on Thursday night.
Even by international standards, this current Canadian group stands out for its blinding speed. And a lot of coaches around the world are starting to really notice it.
Canadians are now ranked 31st in the world; still trailing Mexico and the U.S. in the FIFFA rankings. But a result in the next two games might change all that.
In the last game against Mexico, they tried to slow the Canadians down with some brutal fouls and tackles.....but still got dominated, even though the game ended in a draw. I think we'll see more of the same on Thursday night.
Even by international standards, this current Canadian group stands out for its blinding speed. And a lot of coaches around the world are starting to really notice it.
Canadians are now ranked 31st in the world; still trailing Mexico and the U.S. in the FIFFA rankings. But a result in the next two games might change all that.
