The wait is over...
November 5, 2007 6:00 PM
Whitecaps fans, the moment has arrived. David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy are now in Vancouver for the much-anticipated international friendly at BC Place on Wednesday night.
Through the initial postponement of the original October 3 date, which came as a result of Beckham’s knee injury in late August, to the announcement of a re-scheduled date of November 7, local soccer enthusiasts can now look forward to a spectacular event under the domed stadium on Pacific Boulevard in downtown Vancouver.
It has been an extremely busy time in the Whitecaps office. The dedicated front office staff have only had two-and-a-half weeks to prepare for Wednesday’s game, but everyone should be commended for the effort that has been made to making the this friendly a memorable night.
The build-up has not been without its share of drama. Beckham’s knee injury was an initial setback, then the Galaxy hit form late on in the regular season and delayed our timing for announcing our rescheduled date.
Then, just when it looked like there would be no more surprises, the news on Sunday evening that Vancouver native Frank Yallop had stepped down as Galaxy head coach to return to his former post with the new-look San Jose Earthquakes seemed strangely fitting to everything that has occurred in relation to this game. Personally, I’m disappointed that Yallop will not be part of Wednesday’s match. I know that Frank had been looking forward to coaching in BC Place, but the lure to return to the place where he had so much success as an MLS coach before taking the Canadian national team job must have been too good to pass up. My very best wishes go out to him and his family.
Yallop’s former assistant in Los Angeles, Trevor James, will take interim charge of the Galaxy for Wednesday’s match. On the opposite side will be a man that has been in a similar position to James for a number of weeks - Whitecaps interim head coach Todd Wawrousek. It’s strange how those two coaches will be front and centre at Tuesday’s press conference. I can remember back to the original announcement of the game at BC Place in April and how Yallop and former Whitecaps head coach Bob Lilley were looking forward to the contest….how times have changed….
Of all the events that will take place in the next couple of days, I’m looking forward to seeing how some of the new players shape up in Wawrousek’s squad. Some Whitecaps fans at BC Place will want a glimpse of how the team may look for the 2008 season, though the influence of a new coach will have a lot of bearing on those issues, I’m sure. I expect the Whitecaps to be a side full of motivation…I’m even anticipating a lively first 15 minutes of the game from our squad, as it may prove to be the best part of Wednesday’s contest….though one can always be wrong with such predictions….
We all know that many will be coming to see the living phenomenon that is David Beckham, but my greatest hope for Wednesday is that people leave the stadium remembering a fine Whitecaps performance…one that makes people talk of returning to see the side next spring. It is about promoting soccer and creating more Whitecaps fans. It could very well be an event that might just set a platform from which this club reaches new and exciting heights…..here’s hoping…..
Posted By: Simon Fudge on November 5, 2007 6:00 PM
