New York Red Bulls at Vancouver Whitecaps, May 28th 2011

 Live Event #10

Empire Field

My second visit to Empire Field was for a beautiful Saturday afternoon match between the last place Whitecaps and the New York Red Bulls. The disappointment of the day was the absence of former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry, who was held back with a swollen right knee. Many fans had purchased tickets solely because of Henry’s presence and even though he wouldn’t be playing, every seat was filled. Since their thrilling opening day win against Toronto FC, the Whitecaps have been incapable to add another game in the win column in league action; adding that elusive victory against the Red Bulls would be a challenge.  

The Whitecaps enjoyed an energetic start. They had a goal disallowed for offside and continued to press hard and test the Red Bulls defence. In the 24th minute midfielder Camilo won a penalty and Whitecaps star Eric Hassli put Vancouver up 1-0 from the spot. Following the goal, New York began to find their legs and came close a few times before Englishman Luke Rodgers equalized from just outside the six yard box. The goal shifted the momentum in New York’s favor and they finished the first half vigorously. The second half was equally as entertaining; there were dynamic chances at both ends but neither team could secure the winning goal. The addition of the Whitecaps to the Vancouver sports scene has been nothing but positive. The support is superb and as Grant Wahl recently documented in his article “A Pacific Passion Play” from the May 23rd issue of Sports Illustrated, there is a real passion for soccer in the Pacific Northwest. That being said, it is impossible to compare the MLS to the majority of the football being played overseas. 

New York Red Bulls at Vancouver Whitecaps

The difference between the quality of play in the MLS and in top flight European football is staggering. The most visible difference: the passing. Short passes and sustained attacks built through the heart of the midfield are noticeably absent from MLS play; the majority of the scoring chances created are from long balls sent down the wing or from set pieces. Eric Hassli, Vancouver’s designated player, is easily identifiable on the field because of his superior technical ability. His ball control far exceeds that of his teammates which makes him a valuable player. The game also lacks the general pace of the English Premier League and feels much more disjointed. It is highly unlikely that Major League Soccer will ever challenge, let alone surpass, top flight European football, but there is still room to grow. Clubs have found success in the Pacific Northwest, the rivalry between the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders has the substance to establish itself as the league’s first real marquee matchup, an essential concept for an aspiring sports league. As a proud native of the proposed Republic of Cascadia (no matter where I live I will always identify myself with the Pacific Northwest), it’s wonderful to recognize the importance of the Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps to the success of Major League Soccer.

Chivas USA at Vancouver Whitecaps, April 16th 2011

Live Event #3

Empire Field

Luckily for me, my first Vancouver Whitecaps would come on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I had watched the previous incarnation of the Whitecaps play in the NASL at Swangard Stadium a half dozen times but the match between the Whitecaps and Chivas USA would my first since the Whitecaps made their move to Major League Soccer. The leap to the MLS legitimized soccer in Vancouver and the move from Swangard to Empire Field created 15,000 more seats for Whitecaps home games. The Whitecaps home opener on March 19th against Toronto FC was a thrilling 4-2 victory and the raucous crowd established the Whitecaps as a hot ticket in Vancouver. It is extremely rare for me to attend a sporting event and not be competently informed but that would be the the circumstance Saturday. I was aware of the key Whitecaps players (and their propensity to receive red cards), their current record, and the expectations of the team heading into the season but I was otherwise in the dark regarding much of everything else.

The Vancouver Whitecaps and Chivas USA with the North Shore mountains in the background

Thanks to the match program I quickly got a feel for the Whitecaps players but I wasn't solely focused on the result on the pitch; I was keen to observe the fans and feel the atmosphere in the stands. I stood in the South Side with the most passionate Whitecaps fans. From the moment the players entered the field of play the chanting began. The chants weren't terribly original and whilst they didn't stretch much farther than the classic "clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap - Whitecaps!" and "We're Blue, We're White, We're F****** Dynamite!" the support was exceptional. The on field talent is nowhere near comparable to that of elite European football but the grit and toughness of the players helps make up for it. Whitecaps striker Eric Hassli was easily the most noticeable player on the pitch due largely to his gigantic stature and he nearly put the Whitecaps ahead thirty minutes in but unfortunately hit the far post on his shot attempt. The Whitecaps were the better team on Saturday but were frustrated as time winded down. Omar Salgado, the 17 year old striker who was the first overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, made a substitute appearance and missed an open header late that could have given Vancouver three crucial points.

Whitecaps fans await a late match corner kick from Nizar Khalfan

The experience was remarkably thrilling. I am definitely looking forward to returning to Empire Field, hopefully for Thierry Henry's visit on May 28th. Thursday my dad and I are leaving for Europe, where we will certainly be attending two football matches (Osasuna at Barcelona, April 23rd and Manchester United at Arsenal, May 1st) and hope to purchase tickets for another (Tottenham at Chelsea, April 30th). I will try between now and Saturday to post a piece I'm currently working on in regard to the NHL's issue with violent conduct as well as some of my thoughts on the NBA Playoffs, which have so far been unbelievable.