Caps host Puerto Rico in USL Final!

[johnnybluenose]

4pm Kick Off this Sunday at Swangard!!!

In some weird turn of events, the USL awarded the finale to the Caps because some how the Islanders and their home pitch doesn't meet USL Requirements...

Good News is that we get to host, and I am now forgoing my first trip to Seattle for a shithawks game this year to see the Caps roll on to the title.

 

[Zaurrini]

4pm Kick Off this Sunday at Swangard!!!

In some weird turn of events, the USL awarded the finale to the Caps because some how the Islanders and their home pitch doesn't meet USL Requirements...

That is a joke, right?

How can they go the entire season playing on that field, and it is OK.


Weird is right.

 

[Regs]

PR really got the shaft on this one.

 

[johnnybluenose]

I have heard that the Caps were basically confined to their hotel and had police escorts to travel to matches and training in PR.

Also, getting the TV and everything, for a budget league like the USL, had probably a lot to do with it coming to Vancouver.

 

[Dude]

What were the other determining reasons? Overzeallous fans hardly seems like a problem they shouldn't want to deal with. Hell, they won home field advantage, didn't they?

I'd be PISSED if I were a PR fan or member.

 

[johnnybluenose]

Aside from chanting and aggressive crowds, you can't take lightly player safety away from the park (supposedly an issue?) also, again...the sheer cost of arranging the final in the US Protectorate of Puerto Rico was probably the determining factor here.

Their curse = our blessing.

hopefully City of Burnaby groundscrew can do a job on the pitch this week and SFU Football stays the hell off of it!!!

 

[italian_stallion21]

Fine by me, I was stunned when I heard it was at home for the obvious reasons, plus I had to miss yesterday and figured when PR won I'd have to watch the final on TV. Can't wait for Sunday! Hopefully the pitch looks better though.

 

[Polska]

PR really got the shaft on this one.

The majority down their have the attitude " a hole is a hole " I dont think they mind being shafted

 

[Hands of Stone]

4pm Kick Off this Sunday at Swangard!!!

In some weird turn of events, the USL awarded the finale to the Caps because some how the Islanders and their home pitch doesn't meet USL Requirements...:

Funny thing is, the City is working on the pitch all week, 8 workers out there, but only one working at any given time. They are trying to get the field playable with lots and lots of sand, but the Caps want the pitch cut and looking all nice and green. Here is what they want to do, Paint the whole pitch, that will be too funny, the Cups running around in all green kit, lets hope the paint dry's in time and it doesn't rain.

Good luck Caps.

 

[Regs]

HOS,

Are you being serious about the Caps wanting the pitch painted?

 

[Dude]

Fcuking City of Burnaby and the fckwits that work there. The place went to hell when TheRob left.

 

[Kevin Hector]

Anyone see Kjohn on the back of the Province today highfiving Martin Nash???

 

[The Franchise]

Anyone see Kjohn on the back of the Province today highfiving Martin Nash???

was he wearing a ttp shirt?

 

[Kevin Hector]

no his whitecaps shirt with his scarff

 

[kjohnsob]

Martin wanted to shake hands with the Jesus of Slidetacking.

 

[Hands of Stone]

HOS,

Are you being serious about the Caps wanting the pitch painted?

I am very serious, is there paint out there for grass, probably, so time will tell, I don't think the grass will grow back by sunday.

Why the hell put in for the final, when the field is shitt and you were possibly going to move the semi to town center the week earlier.

I feel for PuertoRico not getting the final, but I see why the Caps also want it, but the field is done from one football game.

Well, what is the Mayor going to say now to the MLS, when he is talking to them about getting a team in Vancouver.

We need that new stadium downtown.

hos

 

[SC]

You can always follow a page out of the City of Richmond's book... like 4 years back for the Nations Cup...the oval was sprinkled with grass clippings over the sanded areas in the middle of the pitch and around the 6 yard box to 'simulate' grass...

Asking for a few ankle blowers is shameful and selfish...if you ask me

 

[Captain Shamrock]

Mickey Mouse move by a Mickey Mouse league..........Puerto Rico had over 9,000 supporters out to their semi-final match and the Whitecaps had under 5,000.....Puerto Rico had the top record in the league.....and their supporters are more passionate than the Whitecaps. It makes sense to move it to SFU's football stadium. Nice one.

 

[Tuna]

It makes sense to move it to SFU's football stadium. Nice one.

Puerto Rico's supporters wouldn't make it up the hill though.

 

[johnnybluenose]

A message posted on another board...It is Tim Holt (USL Brass) response to the throngs of unhappy Islanders Supporters who have written letters demanding a reason(s) why the game was awarded to vancity and not Puerto Rico.

Here is the response we received today:

From: Tim Holt <tim.holt@usisl.com>
Sent: Monday, October 6, 2008 10:58:44 AM
Subject: RE: Puerto Rico Islanders, the 2008 USL Commissioner's Cup winners, don't meet the league's minimum requirements for hosting a final???

Jose

We appreciate your passion/support for the Puerto Rico Islanders.

With respect to your inquiry, the higher seeded team has certain hosting rights provided it is willing/able to meet all of the required USL-1 Championship hosting specifications. In the event the higher seeded team is unwilling or unable to meet all of these event hosting requirements, then the host is determined on the basis of which finalist submits a superior overall proposal - this is the circumstance by which the Vancouver Whitecaps are hosting the 2008 USL-1 Championship next weekend against the Puerto Rico Islanders. (It is also the basis on which the Rochester Rhinos were awarded the right to host the 2006 USL-1 Championship against Vancouver.) The major determining factors include stadium and field considerations, television, fan attendance, media coverage, hotel, transportation, ancillary events, visiting team support, and other financial requirements.

To clarify a misconception that appears to exist, Juan Roman Loubriel Stadium sufficiently meets all of the venue standards for the USL First Division; however the fact that the stadium’s seating capacity is greater than that of Swangard in Vancouver was not a determining factor in our decision.

Finally, our decision to award the hosting rights for this event to the Vancouver Whitecaps is in no way, shape or form a slight on Puerto Rico. As a league, we took the bold and exciting step in 2004 of having the confidence to expand into Puerto Rico due to our belief that the ownership/management was solid and that there would exist support for the team. We have every respect for the fans of the Puerto Rico Islanders and their performance over the past few seasons has exceeded all expectations especially in the CONCACAF Champions League. Keep in mind, the Whitecaps also enjoy strong and passionate fan support. In a situation such as this one, it would be our preference to award both teams the right to host the Championship, which although not possible under our current format, is one of the reasons we are seriously considering the adoption of a two-leg Championship series (consistent with our earlier playoff rounds) moving forward. Importantly, a two-leg format would allow the dedicated fans within each participating market the opportunity to attend our Championship event.

Again, we appreciate you taking the time to express your feelings and opinions.

Regards,

Tim Holt

USL