The modern day Whitecaps

[johnnybluenose]

I spent an hour reading over all the posts and threads in the Whitecaps section from 2001 on...

It is amazing to see how far the team and the community perception has come.

I think, for the most part anyways, the days are gone of the Soccer Community at large viewing the team as a VMSL premier Team that gets per diems.

I know they still play in the USL and that has the mark it carries one way or the other, but from the failed CSL to BullSh1t ownership to Kerfoot and now on the doorstep of the MLS...it is a far cry from the bubble that was the NASL, but it is nice to see them slowly building here and keeping ahead of the curve.

Soccer is once again trendy or fashionable, and that is all well and good, but keep in mind Kerfoot and the Duze have been trying for 5 years now on the stadium, and while they might not readily admit it, a 15000+ waterfront stadium was never intended for a USL team.

It is also nice to not have to read the disparaging comments towards the soccer these days that dominated the posts back in the day here.

 

[Captain Shamrock]

They couldn't lace the boots of the 86ers teams of 1990 and 1991..............that's for sure.

 

[Mr Base]

Dot worry boys Aquilini will push hard to get a MLS club here and he will alo do what it takes with Burnaby to expand the Burnaby pitch to twenty thousand seats. Here we go again money talks rest waks.
Should be fun to see who get in. Cascadian Wolves would sound darn good. Just might be worth price of a ticket. Can not wate.

 

[johnnybluenose]

That may be Captain...I don't know and can't comment since I wasn't really interested/available to the games, I'll have to take your word for it.

Perhaps that has to do with the distinct lack of Canadians playing in Europe at the time...
The CSL was around, but due to a lack of fan interest and mismanagement of the teams etc the CSL dissolved.

Now that foreign footy is inviting some of our current best overseas I'd say both the MLS and the USL are providing decent footy for us to watch, and surely the teams of the last 4 years or so are of a higher calibre than the years before Kerfoot came around and saved that sinking ship

 

[Captain Shamrock]

That may be Captain...I don't know and can't comment since I wasn't really interested/available to the games, I'll have to take your word for it.

Perhaps that has to do with the distinct lack of Canadians playing in Europe at the time...
The CSL was around, but due to a lack of fan interest and mismanagement of the teams etc the CSL dissolved.

Now that foreign footy is inviting some of our current best overseas I'd say both the MLS and the USL are providing decent footy for us to watch, and surely the teams of the last 4 years or so are of a higher calibre than the years before Kerfoot came around and saved that sinking ship

I forgot to add the JBN..........

The 86ers had more people out to their games consistently than the current Whitecaps do for the record......or pretty close

 

[kjohnsob]

Just a lttle bit...

ALL TIME ATTENDANCES

Year Average Attendance Home Games Played
1974 10,098 10
1975 7,579 11
1976 8,656 12
1977 11,897 13
1978 15,724 15
1979 22,962 15
1980 26,834 16
1981 23,736 16
1982 18,251 16
1983 29,164 15
1984 15,208 12
1987 5,993 10
1988 4,919 14
1989 4,572 13
1990 4,218 13
1991 4,579 14
1992 4,344 10
1993 4,853 12
1994 4,742 10
1995 4,492 12
1996 3,634 14
1997 3,558 14
1998 4,185 15
1999 4,599 15
2000 3,959 15
2001 5,542 13
2002 3,769 14
2003 4,292 14
2004 4,833 14
2005 5,086 14
2006 5,085 14

 

[Regs]

1987 5,993 10

Where did the 86ers play out of in 1987?

 

[BlazeArmy]

2005 5,086 14
2006 5,085 14

Who's the dude who decided he wouldnt go to games after 2005??

 

[Hands of Stone]

Where did the 86ers play out of in 1987?

I remember sitting on the grass across from the stands back in 87, sitting in the sun at a packed Swangard. That is a great average, but it was first year of the league.

How about the numbers at Old Empire back in 79 and 80, those where the days.

White is the colour.

 

[Mr Base]

Johnyblue soccer is no better now than it was back then. Now it is maybe bigger in size but foot skill has gone down. Also pace is way slower now, with Caps than back than. You still do not have a guy on that team as skilled Sulentic was. It is more of a two tutch game and more of a kick and chase from US sides. If MLS gets here soccer will change for better. More skill and more pace will come in in orther to play against MLS sides. More fox are going to see the games and that alone shows that foxs want better soccer here. I say five years from now we will have an MLS side here. First they have to build SSS pitch. "Cheers"

 

[johnnybluenose]

and 83 when BC Place was brand new? Did they play just one game there that year or the entire season?

 

[Regs]

Caps were the first event in BC Place in 83, I believe it was vs the Sounders? That game was sold out as well as a game vs the Cosmos... not sure if the Beach Boys concert after one of the games was either of those 2 but I'm pretty sure it was a sell-out as well.

 

[Rangerforever]

They couldn't lace the boots of the 86ers teams of 1990 and 1991..............that's for sure.

Fcuking mint...

Someone's overrating themselves.

 

[trece verde]

Actually, Regs, the first event at BC Place in 1983 that I remember was an exhibition game between the Lions and Stamps. The first (of many) Guess Who reunion concert followed... I believe the first Caps game happened later in the summer.

Been there, drank that...

Trece

 

[trece verde]

RF:

Time to bring out the mulletmen pix of CS and Jamie back in the day again...

Trece

 

[Toze]

The first BC Place event was a 2-1 Caps win over the Seattle Souders with Peter Beardsley the man of the match... won't ever forget it. I think the Beach Boys concert followed a 1-nil loss the the Montreal Manic... not sure how I remeber this stuff but it was a great year. The Caps started at 'old Empire' before moving the rest of the season to the new BC Place.

 

[Regs]

Thanks Toze, I'm sure as well the Caps were the first event - as they will be the first event in the new refurbished BC Place (from what I have heard).

 

[bulljive]

Who's the dude who decided he wouldnt go to games after 2005??

Me, they raised season ticket prices and I told them to kick rocks. Honestly you can pay at the gate and pay a better price.

 

[Mr Base]

Regs that would and could kill the Caps. Place is huge, many empty seat will make it totaly unfriendley place. I do not think we will get in this time around. Moving from Swangard to be BC Place is not a good move. It is way too big for our game now. Maybe in twenty years crouds will grow. Just wate Swangard will be a butifull place to play in.
Aquilini is making a right move. It is a much better move for soccer in Vancouver. Twenty thousand full seats looks way better than fifteen thousand people in fifty thousand seats place.