The atmosphere at Whitecaps FC matches in 2011 was electric. I have to give great credit to the fans as we finished third in attendance in the league, although we did not get the results we had hoped for on the field of play. It was a blessing that ‘Caps fans that came to our games were very knowledgeable, and appreciated the good performances that our players put on in many of the games they played. The fans stood behind the players all season, willing the ‘Caps on to get a positive result.
This has not been lost on the Whitecaps organization, and every step is being made to make next year a winning season. We are off to a great start in the coaching department, with Head Coach Martin Rennie and his assistant Paul Ritchie who have the right vision and philosophy to succeed in Major League Soccer.
It goes without saying that every club in Major League Soccer is excited about the prospects of a new season. I am excited by the new coaching staff and their approach, but one of the things I am really looking forward to is the fans coming back to BC Place on March 10, 2012, and being in that wonderful atmosphere that was created inside the stadium.
Like a lot of my European friends, I follow the game back in my homeland which will always remain the same. Now with MLS in Vancouver we not only support European teams but we get to support our home team. Before, if we wanted our kids to sample the atmosphere of a soccer game we would have to go back home. Not any more, as we can experience it in our own back yard.
I remember being stunned at the Whitecaps home opener against Toronto FC, when a sold out crowed began to chant and sing and stomp their feet, generating a real soccer atmosphere. There was no prompting the crowd and it was as if the over twenty thousand fans that were packed into Empire Field had been doing this for a number of seasons.
I lost count of the number of fans I talked to last season who experienced this for the first time, and were thoroughly entertained by it. The atmosphere is unique to soccer. The atmosphere got even better when the Seattle and Portland fans traveled to Vancouver. Each side’s fans tried to see if they could make more noise than the home side. Good try rival fans.
For the 2012 season we will have seats at pitch level at both ends of the field, as well as our Loge seats on the opposite side of the team benches. This is great for fans who want to get really close to the action.
In 102 days we will have returning fans, new fans and a Major League Soccer team that all can cheer for which is sure to make BC Place the place to be in 2012.
If you haven’t already done so, make sure to renew your season tickets by December1, or buy your new season tickets today. Simply call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets/protect.
