The Soapbox

Tomorrow morning "Vancouver MLS 2011," also known as Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be releasing their MLS brand. You can view it here online during the press conference. They will be announcing their new name, be it Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Vancouver City FC, or as some TFC Supporters reckon Yoga Juniors, Granolatasary, or Vanchester City. They will also be revealing their colours, the new logo, and making available some product for sale later that evening at the Vancouver Southsiders MLS launch at Cinema Public House, featuring a Q&A Session with former Tottenham Hotspur boss and current WFC Boss, Paul Barber.

I certainly hope they stay true to the existing supporters, fans, and followers and keep the existing brand, which carries continuity dating back to the NASL, with the CSL/86'ers years but a blip in their history. "Vancouver Whitecaps FC" brings years and years of history, memories of great players like Ball, Whymark, Hector, Wee Willie Johnston, Lenarduzzi, and others. It carries memories of the 79 Soccerbowl triumph over the New York Cosmos, and then the Tampa Bay Rowdies. It carries classic colours, the Blue, Light Blue, and White, making retro kits, like the '79 & 80's Toffs still applicable along with the rest of the shirts, flags, etc that are seen on game days at Swangard currently.

There is a segment of the fans that call for a new name and to "cut the cord" from the history of this club. Their reason, and the only one I think could make any sense, is the perception of the CSL '86ers and A-League, USL, and now USSF D-2 Whitecaps, as being mickey-mouse, second rate, or semi pro vs the MLS being "Big League"

If a name change is what is needed to get the Commercial Drive cafe-types up off their arses to support a local professional soccer team, then I say screw them. If they haven't come yet, they likely never will.

The Kit for MLS 2011 will not be released tomorrow. I'm told by credible sources inside WFC and other people in the know that the Kit sponsor is going to unveil this in their own way. I suppose it makes sense as they are the ones throwing the bucks WFC's way.

on the field:

This season has definitely been a transitional year for WFC. They have brought in a lot of youth and have really put together a solid back line. Their Goalkeeping is adequate with Jay Nolly, imho, come MLS, however the current India number 1 is in for a trial. The Midfield and Forwards is what needs work. This year the caps have drawn more games than I care to mention. They cannot be scored on, but have trouble scoring. Marcus Haber is only with WFC for one more home game before his loan expires and he heads back to England as property of West Brom, where he will likely fade into obscurity in the reserves again, or head off on loan to some backwater in the fourth level of the FA's pyramid.

The Voyaguers Cup/Nutrilite Canadian Championship was decided before the final game was over this year with Vancouver struggling to score, but being in every game they played (including 2 nil nil draws with TFC). Montreal laid down like the cheap french whores they are again, and TFC won, and rightfully so this year, with the Caps securing second place in the three horse race. The competition expands to 4 teams next year wil Edmonton FC filling the void left by MLS bound WFC in USSF Division 2 or whatever they are called next year.

Come 2011 and the MLS the Caps have big holes to fill, that cannot be done from within. they need to have a certain quota of Canadians filling roster spots, and currently they only have a few under contract that could cut it at that level, and even some of those names leave you wondering (Bellisomo and Nash) They had better get to work on securing the services of the likes of Rob Friend, currently playing in the Bundesliga, the Nakajima-Farran brothers playing in Denmark for AC Horsens, and looking at currently unattached players with National Caps like Ali Gerba and Kevin Harmse. Looking at the rest of the current crop of National Team players not already signed at TFC doesn't leave me too inspired.

I will follow this post up with a second part following tomorrow morning's announcement and tomorrow evenings festivities. Perhaps the press conference and Q&A session with Paul Barber will provide more insight into what we can look forward to.