History of Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The history of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a professional soccer team based in Vancouver, Canada, spans over four decades. The first team to use the "Whitecaps" name was the Vancouver Whitecaps of the now-defunct North American Soccer League, playing from 1974 to 1984. After two years while the core of the players were focused on preparations for the 1986 World Cup, a second version of the club was founded in 1986 as the Vancouver 86ers. This team bought back the Whitecaps name in 2000 and has operated continuously in various leagues since 1986. A Whitecaps FC team began play in Major League Soccer starting in 2011 making it the first time since 1984 that a "Whitecaps" team played in the top tier of soccer in the United States and Canada.
NASL (1974–84)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League (NASL). The founding investors in the club were: Herb Capozzi, president; Denny Veitch, general manager; C. N. "Chunky" Woodward owner of Woodwards Department Stores; Chuck Wills, lawyer; Wendy McDonald, president of B.C. Bearing Engineers; Pat McCleary and Harry Moll, proprietors of Charlie Brown Steak House.[1]
The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl coached by Tony Waiters. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home grown" stars like Bobby and Sam Lenarduzzi, Buzz Parsons, and Glen Johnson. In 1979 the team from the "Village of Vancouver" (a reference to ABC TV sportscaster Jim McKay's observation that "Vancouver must be like the deserted village right now", with so many people watching the game on TV) beat the powerhouse New York Cosmos in one of the most thrilling playoff series in NASL history to advance to the Soccer Bowl. In the Soccer Bowl, they triumphed against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a disappointed New York City.
It was during this short period that soccer interest peaked in Vancouver. The Whitecaps attendance at Empire Stadium grew to regular sellouts, at 32,000. The team also recorded two tracks, with "White is the Colour" becoming a hit on local radio during the run-up to their championship win.
After playing at Vancouver's 32,000-seat Empire Stadium for most of their existence, the team moved into the brand new 60,000-seat BC Place Stadium in 1983. The Whitecaps set a then highest all-time Canadian attendance record of 60,342 spectators for a professional soccer game, on June 20, 1983, Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Seattle Sounders at BC Place.[2] However, the subsequent demise of the NASL in 1984 meant the Whitecaps – along with the other teams in the NASL – were forced to fold.
CSL (1985–92)
Several of the players from the NASL Vancouver Whitecaps were members of the Canadian Men's National Team preparing for the 1986 World Cup in training camps held in Vancouver. They played exhibition games against teams in the Western Soccer Alliance Challenge Series in 1985. Several are listed on the 1986 FIFA World Cup squads lists as playing for the MISL's Tacoma Stars for the indoor season and played with the Canadian National Men's Team for the outdoor summer season.
The Vancouver 86ers Soccer Club started operations in November 1985 by the community-owned West Coast Soccer Society. Tony Waiters, Les Wilson and Dave Fryatt were the first franchise holders granted the rights for Vancouver on July 26, 1986.[3] The Vancouver 86ers were so named because of the year of the team's founding-1986, the 86 principals underwriting the club, and to commemorate the year the city of Vancouver was founded (1886). There were a lot of ties between the Whitecaps and the 86ers such as Tony Waiters (shareholder), Buzz Parsons (manager 1987–88), Bob Lenarduzzi (coach 1987–1993), Carl Valentine, Jim Easton, David Norman (soccer), Dale Mitchell (soccer), and other players. In newspaper reports the Whitecaps were often referred to as the previous version of the CSL's Vancouver 86ers. Several attempts were made to purchase the Whitecaps name; however, the name was not for sale or the owner wanted too much money for the cash strapped community-owned club.[4]
The Vancouver 86ers played its first game in 1987 in the Canadian Soccer League against Edmonton. The 86ers played in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) winning four straight CSL Championships (1988–1991) and five consecutive CSL regular-season first-place finishes (1988–92). Vancouver played in the CSL from its inception in 1987 until the league folded in 1992, and then moved over to the APSL in 1993 which was later absorbed into the USL hierarchy of leagues in 1997 becoming the A-League, later renamed the USL-1.
In 1988–1989, the team, coached by Bob Lenarduzzi, set a North American professional sports record by playing 46 consecutive games without a loss. The record began after the June 1988 match the 86ers lost 3–1 away to the North York Rockets. Vancouver then won 37 matches and tied nine others before falling 2–1 away to the Edmonton Brickmen in August 1989. In 2004 the BC Sports Hall of Fame inducted the 1989 soccer team.[5] Also in 1988 the Vancouver 86ers and Calgary Kickers played six friendly matches each against the Western Soccer Alliance in the month of May.[6]
In 1990, the Vancouver 86ers captured the North American Club Championship after defeating the Maryland Bays 3–2 in the final played in Burnaby. The game was played between the champions of the Canadian Soccer League and the champions of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL).[7] The Vancouver 86ers withdrew from the 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup prior to the opening Group 2 first round match due to financial constraints. The 86ers also came up short in the first round of the 1992 ‘Professional Cup’ North American Club Championship where they faced APSL champions Colorado Foxes over two legs.
APSL / A-League / USL-1 (1993–2010)
In 1999 Vancouver's player-coach who was one of North American soccer's last active participants in the NASL, Carl Valentine, retired.[8]
With whole hearted support from the fans the new owner, David Stadnyk, bought the name Whitecaps from former NASL Whitecaps director John Laxton. October 26, 2000 the Vancouver 86ers formally changed their name back to the Whitecaps.[9]
In the 2001 season, the team began to use the old Vancouver Whitecaps moniker. The club adopted a similar crest to that of the NASL team featuring a wave. A white cap is a nautical term for a wind wave, not a surf wave. White caps are indicative of Force 4/5 wind and a 4–6 foot (1.2–1.5m) wave height. For smaller boat craft, the appearance of white caps are a sign of rising wind and danger often necessitating a return to harbour.[10][11][12] With the re-branding process of the MLS franchise, the club crest was expanded to include the white caps of snow-covered mountains and include all of the province of BC.[13]
In 2003, the name was again changed, albeit only slightly, to Whitecaps FC, which encompasses the men's, women's, and youth development teams within the organization. At this time, the Whitecaps logo changed slightly in colour (the light teal-green was replaced with a brighter blue) and the word "Vancouver" was dropped from the image.
In 2006, the Whitecaps organization won an unprecedented double-championship, claiming both the USL-1 championship trophy, defeating the host Rochester Rhinos 3–0 at PAETEC Park, and winning the W-League women's championship. The men's team also won the Nation's Cup, a new tournament established by their club as a way to feature the Whitecaps playing against international competition. The 2006 Nation's Cup tournament featured the Chinese and Indian U-20 National teams and Championship Welsh club Cardiff City F.C. (the "Bluebirds"). They also gradually added the "Vancouver" back into their name, changing it officially to "Vancouver Whitecaps FC".
The following season, the Whitecaps signed a deal to play an exhibition match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, which featured international David Beckham, and promoted Director of Soccer Operations Bob Lenarduzzi to team president. USL-1 teams, especially those in the US competing in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, were beginning to see with marketing that MLS teams could be a larger draw as MLS's quality of play increased and the league gained a greater profile.
October 12, 2008, they claimed their second United Soccer Leagues First Division championship with a 2–1 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders. Charles Gbeke scored twice with his head in the second half to help secure the title. In 2009, they placed 7th in the league and were eliminated in the final by the Montreal Impact on a 6–3 aggregate.[14]
MLS (2011–)
The Vancouver franchise was granted status on March 18, 2009 by MLS Commissioner Don Garber as the seventeenth franchise of Major League Soccer.[15] It is to join the Portland Timbers, announced two days later as the eighteenth MLS franchise, for the 2011 MLS season. While no name was provided at the Vancouver announcement, over a year later the club confirmed that the MLS team would keep the Whitecaps name.[16][17][18][19]
In preparation for its inaugural season, the Whitecaps brought in executive talent from around the world. On November 24, 2009, Paul Barber, former Tottenham Hotspur F.C. executive, was announced to join the club as CEO. Others joining him include former D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn as Director of Operations and Dutch national Richard Grootscholten as the technical director and head coach of the residency program. Former Iceland international Teitur Thordarson was confirmed as head coach on September 2, 2010 for the inaugural MLS season.[20] He held the same position with the USL-1 and later USSF Division 2 Whitecaps.
Season-by-Season results
- Note: Click on the year for the Whitecaps NASL season wiki.
- Note: Click on League for the league's season wiki.
| Season | Regular Season | Playoffs | Canadian Championship |
Cascadia Cup |
CONCACAF | Top goalscorer[21] | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Att | Pos | Name | Goals | |||||
| 1974 | NASL | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 29 | 30 | 70 | 10,979 | 4th; West 11th; Overall |
DNQ | N / A | Brian Gant[22] | 6 | ||
| 1975 | NASL | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 38 | 28 | 99 | 7,579 | 4th; West 9th; Overall |
DNQ | N / A | Glen Johnson[23] | 8 | ||
| 1976 | NASL | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 38 | 30 | 120 | 8,655 | 3rd; Pacific 10th; Overall |
Play-In Round Seattle 1–0 Vancouver |
N / A | Tommy Ord Billy Woof Tony McAndrew[24] | 5 | ||
| 1977 | NASL | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 43 | 36 | 124 | 11,897 | 2nd; Pacific 6th; Overall |
Play-In Round Seattle 1–0 Vancouver |
N / A | Derek Possee [25] | 11 | ||
| 1978 | NASL | 30 | 24 | 0 | 6 | 68 | 29 | 199 | 15,736 | 1st; National West 2nd; Overall |
Quarterfinals Portland def Vancouver 2–0 (games) |
N / A | Kevin Hector [26] | 21 | ||
| 1979 | NASL | 30 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 54 | 34 | 172 | 22,962 | 1st; National West 4th; Overall |
Champion Vancouver 2–1 Tampa Bay |
N / A | Kevin Hector [27] | 15 | ||
| 1980 | NASL | 32 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 52 | 47 | 139 | 26,834 | 3rd; National West 15th; Overall |
Round of 16 Seattle def Vancouver 2–0 (games) |
N / A | Trevor Whymark [28] | 15 | ||
| 1981 | NASL | 32 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 74 | 43 | 186 | 23,236 | 1st; Northwest 3rd; Overall |
Round of 16 Tampa Bay def Vancouver 2–0 (games) |
N / A | Carl Valentine [29] | 10 | ||
| 1982 | NASL | 32 | 20 | 0 | 12 | 58 | 48 | 160 | 18,254 | 3rd; West 5th; Overall |
Quarterfinals San Diego def Vancouver 2–1 (games) |
N / A | Ray Hankin [30] | 11 | ||
| 1983 | NASL | 30 | 24 | 0 | 6 | 63 | 34 | 187 | 29,166 | 1st; West 2nd; Overall |
Quarterfinals Toronto def Vancouver 2–1 (games) |
N / A | David Cross [31] | 19 | ||
| 1984 | NASL | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 51 | 48 | 117 | 15,190 | 2nd; West 4th; Overall |
Semifinals Chicago def Vancouver 2–1 (games) |
N / A | Peter Ward[32] | 16 | ||
| 1985 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1986 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1987 | CSL | 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 27 | 21 | 5,993 | 2nd; West 4th; Overall |
Semifinals Calgary 4–3 Vancouver |
Domenic Mobilio [33] | 12 | |||
| 1988 | CSL | 28 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 84 | 30 | 48 | 4,919 | 1st; West 1st; Overall |
Champion Vancouver 4–1 Hamilton |
John Catliff [34] Domenic Mobilio[35] | 22 | |||
| 1989 | CSL | 26 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 65 | 33 | 42 | 4,572 | 1st; West 1st; Overall |
Champion Vancouver 3–2 Hamilton |
Domenic Mobilio[35] | 12 | |||
| 1990 | CSL | 26 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 69 | 26 | 40 | 4,218 | 1st; West 1st; Overall |
Champion Vancouver 6–1 Hamilton |
John Catliff [7] | 19 | |||
| 1991 | CSL | 28 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 69 | 31 | 64 | 4,579 | 1st; Single Table | Champion Vancouver 5–3 Toronto |
1st Round | Domenic Mobilio [36] | 26 | ||
| 1992 | CSL | 20 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 42 | 28 | 36 | 4,344 | 1st; Single Table | Runner-Up Winnipeg 3–1 Vancouver(Agg) |
John Catliff Dale Mitchell[37] | 6 | |||
| 1993 | APSL | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 43 | 35 | 126 | 4,853 | 1st; Single Table | Semifinals Los Angeles 2–2 Vancouver (PK) |
N / A | Domenic Mobilio [38] | 11 | ||
| 1994 | APSL | 20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 25 | 41 | 65 | 4,742 | 6th; Single Table | DNQ | N / A | Domenic Mobilio [39] | 7 | ||
| 1995 | A-League | 24 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 43 | 43 | 33 | 4,493 | 3rd; Single Table | Semifinals Seattle def Vancouver 2–0 (games) |
N / A | Giuliano Oliviero [40] | 9 | ||
| 1996 | A-League | 24 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 38 | 38 | 33 | 4,068 | 5th; Single Table | DNQ | N / A | Domenic Mobilio [41] | 14 | ||
| 1997 | A-League | 24 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 38 | 38 | 33 | 3,558 | 3rd; Pacific 6th; Overall |
Semifinals Milwaukee def Vancouver 2–1 PK (games) |
N / A | Domenic Mobilio [42] | 22 | ||
| 1998 | A-League | 28 | 13 | 3 | 15 | 55 | 42 | 41 | 4,185 | 4th; Pacific 15th; Overall |
Round of 16 Seattle 2–1 Vancouver |
N / A | Jason Jordan [43] | 8 | ||
| 1999 | A-League | 28 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 77 | 31 | 84 | 4,559 | 2nd; Pacific 3rd; Overall |
Round of 16 US Pro 40 3–1 Vancouver |
N / A | Niall Thompson [44] | 20 | ||
| 2000 | A-League | 28 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 62 | 41 | 70 | 3,959 | 3rd; Pacific 9th; Overall |
Quarterfinals Minnesota 4–3 Vancouver (Agg via OT) |
N / A | Darren Tilley [45] | 12 | ||
| 2001 | A-League | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 44 | 33 | 74 | 5,542 | 1st; Western 4th; Overall |
Semi-finals Hershey 4–1 Vancouver (Agg) |
N / A | Jason Jordan [46] | 9 | ||
| 2002 | A-League | 28 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 41 | 39 | 54 | 3,769 | 4th; Pacific 11th; Overall |
Semi-finals Milwaukee 2–1 Vancouver (Agg via OT) |
N / A | Jason Jordan [47] | 9 | ||
| 2003 | A-League | 28 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 24 | 52 | 4,292 | 2nd; Pacific 5th; Overall |
Quarterfinals Seattle 1–1 Vancouver (Agg via 6–5 in PKs) |
N / A | Oliver Heald Jason Jordan[48] | 9 | ||
| 2004 | A-League | 28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 38 | 29 | 47 | 4,833 | 2nd; Western 6th; Overall |
Semi-finals Seattle 2–1 Vancouver (Agg) |
Winner | N / A | Jason Jordan [49] | 7 | |
| 2005 | USL-1 | 28 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 37 | 21 | 45 | 5,086 | 3rd; Single Table | Play-In Round Richmond 0–0 Vancouver (Agg 5–4 in PKs) |
Winner | N / A | Jason Jordan [50] | 17 | |
| 2006 | USL-1 | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 40 | 28 | 46 | 5,085 | 4th; Single Table | Champion Vancouver 3–0 Rochester |
Runner-Up | N / A | Joey Gjertsen [51] | 12 | |
| 2007 | USL-1 | 28 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 27 | 24 | 39 | 5,162 | 7th; Single Table | Quarterfinals Portland 3–1 Vancouver (Agg) |
Runner-Up | N / A | Eduardo Sebrango-Rodriguez [52] | 7 | |
| 2008 | USL-1 | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 28 | 53 | 4,999 | 2nd; Single Table | Champion Vancouver 2–1 Portland |
3rd | Winner | DNQ | Eduardo Sebrango-Rodriguez [53] | 16 |
| 2009 | USL-1 | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 42 | 36 | 42 | 5,312 | 7th; Single Table | Runner-Up Montreal 6–3 Vancouver (Agg) |
Runners-up | Runner-Up | DNQ | Charles Gbeke [54] | 13 |
| 2010 | USSF D2 | 30 | 10 | 15 | 5 | 32 | 22 | 45 | 5,152 | 2nd; NASL 5th; Overall |
Semifinals Puerto Rico 2–0 Vancouver (Agg) |
Runners-up | Runner-Up | DNQ | Martin Nash [55] | 5 |
| 2011 | MLS | 34 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 35 | 55 | 28 | 20,412 | 9th; West 18th; Overall |
DNQ | Runners-up | 3rd | DNQ | Camilo Sanvezzo [56] | 13 |
| 2012 | MLS | 34 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 35 | 41 | 43 | 18,998 | 5th; West 11th; Overall |
Play-In Round Los Angeles 2–1 Vancouver |
Runners-up | 3rd | DNQ | Darren Mattocks | 9 |
| 2013 | MLS | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 53 | 45 | 48 | 20,059 | 7th; West 14th; Overall |
DNQ | Runners-up | Winner | DNQ | Camilo Sanvezzo | 25 |
| 2014 | MLS | 34 | 12 | 8 | 14 | 42 | 40 | 50 | 20,623 | 5th; West 9th; Overall |
Knockout Round FC Dallas 2–1 Vancouver Whitecaps |
Semi-Finals | Winner | DNQ | Pedro Morales | 9 |
| 2015 | MLS | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | -; West -; Overall |
– | 2015 Canadian Championship | – | – | – | – |
- Note: Goals scored where possible in meaningful games, i.e. Cups, regular season, and playoffs, not preseason or friendlies.
- Note: NASL draws were settled via penalty kicks 1975-6, and with shootouts 1977–84
- Note: The NASL had bonus points for goals scored, and gave 6 points for a win.
- Note: APSL Scoring systems:[57]
- 1991–1994: 6 = win, 4 = SW, 2 = SL, 0 = Loss + 1 pt up to 3 gpg
- 1995: 3 = win, 2 = SW, 1 = SL, 0 = Loss.
- 1996: 3 = win, 1 = SW, 0 = loss or SL.
- Note: The Canadian Championship for the Voyageurs Cup began in 2008 with Canada's allocation of a CCL spot.
- Note: The Cascadia Cup is a fan-owned trophy awarded to the winning team's fans that began in 2004.
- Note: N/A indicates CONCACAF did not award Canada a slot in the CONCACAF Champions League or its predecessor tournament. In the NASL years of 1974–1984 the NASL did not compete in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. CONCACAF awarded spots to the National Soccer League until financial restraints in the Ontario-based league led to the withdrawal of Canadian clubs from international club tournaments. British Columbia clubs competed in alternative international competitions such as the John F. Kennedy Trophy.
Pos. = Position; GP = Match played; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lost; GF = Goal For; GA = Goal Against; Pts = Points; Att = Attendance; DNQ = Did Not Qualify
Colors: Gold = winner; Silver = runner-up; Cyan = ongoing
Honours
Domestic
Canadian Championship for the Voyageurs Cup trophy.
League
NASL
Soccer Bowl/League Championship
- Winner (1): 1979
Regular Season
Division Championship
CSL
League Championship
- Winner (4): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
- Runner-up (1): 1992
Regular Season
- Winner (5): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
Division Championship
- Winner (3): 1988, 1989, 1990
APSL / A-League / USL-1
League Championship
Regular Season
Division Championship
- Winner (1): 2001
Other
- Winner (5): 2004, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2014
Rivalries
The Whitecaps have two sets of rivalries being a Canadian team playing in American leagues as well as having geography and historical leagues contribute to Pacific Northwest rivalries.
Cascadia
Historically since the earliest days of soccer in the late 1890s BC-based teams have played at tournaments, festivals, and had exhibitions to determine the best team in the Pacific Northwest. Before the railways established links eastward, travel was south via steamship to San Francisco and then to the outside world. Even afterward until at least 1910 BC commonly looked south instead of east. Leagues such as the Pacific Coast Soccer League and most other popular sports played teams from Seattle, Portland, and even San Francisco occasionally. Even afterward there were competitions oriented north-south that top teams such as the Westminster Royals competed in. In the original NASL, the Vancouver Royals had links to the San Francisco Golden Gate Gales.
In 1974 when the Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders joined the NASL, it is safe to assume fans were already used to travelling between the two cities to watch sporting events. There are fond reminisces about 3000–5000 Whitecaps fans drowning out Sounders fans at the Kingdome during the NASL era. There were links between staff and players between the Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps. Former teammates such as Alan Hinton or Brian Gant played for the nearest rivals. Even off the field there are similar stories; the Vancouver play-by-play radio broadcaster got the job at the last minute after the former Seattle Sounder broadcaster skipped out on Vancouver to take the job in Portland.
The Whitecaps won a title, while the Sounders were runners up twice, and Timbers runners up once. The three teams ended each other’s seasons five times in the eleven years the Whitecaps played in the league. The Whitecaps first two playoff appearances were both 1–0 losses to the Seattle Sounders in 1976 and 1977. In 1978 the Whitecaps would lose to the Portland Timbers in the playoff semi-finals.
The three clubs played exhibition matches after the NASL folded in the Western Soccer Alliance and in 1994 the Seattle Sounders and Whitecaps (as the 86ers) were both in the A-League (1995–2004). The Portland Timbers joined the A League in 2001. They eliminated each other in the playoffs five times in the A League. From 2005 – 2009, the league was named USL-1 or USL First Division. The Whitecaps and Sounders were the two most dominate teams in USL-1 with two championships each. The three teams eliminated each other in the USL-1 playoffs four times. In all the years of division 2 soccer since 1996, the Whitecaps have been the dominant team with 1.55 points per game while the Sounders earned 1.54, and Timbers 1.47 points per game. The Sounders have 4 championships to the Whitecaps 2.
The supporters groups of the teams created the Cascadia Cup in 2004. As of 2013, each team has won the cup three times each over the nine years of the cup’s existence.
Canadian Teams
Division 2 Toronto-based teams have generally not been as strong as Montreal and Vancouver. The Toronto Blizzard (original NASL) were runners-up twice and Toronto Metros-Croatia won the Soccer Bowl. Vancouver Whitecaps' first playoff win was against the Toronto Metros-Croatia August 9, 1978 in front of 30,811 at Empire Stadium (at the time the largest crowd to see two Canadian teams play against each other).[58] The Toronto Metros-Croatia team felt the goalkeeper was interfered with on the second goal and planned to protest the result even having lost 4–0. Generally Vancouver Whitecaps teams have dominated Toronto-based teams, especially in the CSL and US-based D2 leagues. When Montreal and Vancouver were in the USSF Division 2 and USL-1 playing Toronto FC in the Voyageurs Cup, the rivalry had greater meaning for Vancouver as it was the chance to prove themselves in a meaningful game against competition that was higher level only by fiat.
The rivalry against Montreal is another matter. In the original Canadian Soccer League (1987–92) with the 86ers head coach, Bob Lenarduzzi, taking on the Canadian Men's National Team management, many of the players for the Montreal Supra took umbrage at not being called up for the national team and there was a "real hatred" between the players.[59] Most of those players joined the debuting Montreal Impact of the APSL when the CSL folded. Former players remember trips such as one in 1996 when fire alarms were pulled at 2 am and training facilities were not made available when promised, plus other antics. Montreal Impact also won the first seven Voyageurs Cup competitions.
In the 2006 USL-1 playoff semifinals the Whitecaps outplayed the Impact in the first leg at Vancouver's Swanguard Stadium, and the second leg hosted by Montreal finished 0–0 as well. After extra-time, the Whitecaps defeated the Impact 2–0.
The Whitecaps and Impact also faced-off in the USL-1 playoff finals in 2008 and 2009. The Impact won the first leg hosted in Montreal 1–0, but lost the 2008 semifinal after the Whitecaps won the second leg at Swanguard 2–0. The most controversial game between the two clubs was in 2009.
In 2009 Montreal Impact did not play their usual starters in the Voyageurs Cup round robin competition allowing Toronto FC a 1–6 win to defeat the Whitecaps on goal difference. After fielding their reserve team for the Voyageurs Cup game on June 18, 2009 and preventing the Whitecaps from their second CONCACAF Champions League appearance, the Whitecaps could not avenge the unsportsmanlike conduct as the Montreal Impact also defeated them in the USL-1 playoff final 6–3 (aggregate).[60] The Whitecaps got early red cards in both legs. In the first leg after going down a man due to Montreal Impact player Roberto Brown's acting performance after a foul, the Whitecaps came back twice to equalize before a former Whitecap, playing for Montreal, scored the winner in the 89th minute.
2009 Montreal Controversy
- 18–06–2009 : After losing any chance to win the round robin, the Impact lose 1–6 to TFC giving the Voyageurs Cup to TFC over Vancouver on goal difference while coach Marc Dos Santos rests key players for the league match against Vancouver two days later. The Vancouver Whitecaps team attended the TFC-Impact game.[61]
- 20–06–2009 : Two days later Montreal Impact win their USL-1 league game 2–1 against Vancouver. The Montreal Ultras protest against Impact team management's unsportsmanlike behaviour two days earlier during the first half.[62]
- 18–09–2009 : End of the season league standings...the extra 3 pts they got against Vancouver is the difference between 5th and 7th giving the Montreal Impact home advantage over the Whitecaps.
- 17–10–2009 : Montreal Impact win the league playoff final's second leg 3–1 at home, and Montreal wins the USL-1 Championship 6–3 on aggregate.[63]
List of Players
All-time rosters
- All-time Vancouver Whitecaps roster (1986–2010)
- List of Vancouver Whitecaps FC players (2011–)
Captains
| Name | Nationality | Years | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Stevenson |  SCO | 1974 | [64] |
| Sam Lenarduzzi |  CAN | 1974–1975 | [64] |
| Bruce Wilson | CAN | 1976–1977 | [64][65] |
| Jon Sammels |  ENG | 1978 | |
| John Craven | ENG | 1979–1980 | [64][66] |
| Alan Ball, Jr. | ENG | 1980 | [64] |
| Terry Yorath |  WAL | 1981–1982 | [64] |
| Peter Lorimer | SCO | 1983 | |
| Bob Lenarduzzi | CAN | 1984 | [64] |
| Shaun Lowther | CAN | 1987 | |
| John Catliff | CAN | 1988–1993 | |
| Ivor Evans |  Fiji | 1994 | |
| Rick Celebrini | CAN | 1994–1995 | |
| Steve MacDonald | CAN | 1996–1998 | |
| Paul Dailly | CAN | 1999–2000 | |
| Kevin Holness | CAN | 2001 | |
| Paul Dailly | CAN | 2002–2003 | |
| Alfredo Valente | CAN | 2004 | |
| Jeff Clarke | CAN | 2005–2008 | |
| Adrian Cann | CAN | 2008 | |
| Martin Nash | CAN | 2008–2010 | |
| Jay DeMerit |  USA | 2011–2013 | [67] |
| Nigel Reo-Coker | ENG | 2013 | |
| Kenny Miller | SCO | 2013 | |
| Pedro Morales |  CHI | 2014–present |
DeMerit was injured in the 2013 season-opening match and is out indefinitely,[68] although could return as early as September.[69] Various players have filled-in as captain match-by-match.
All-time goal scorers
As of 14 March 2014
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Domenic Mobilio | CAN | 170 |
| 2 | John Catliff | CAN | 79 |
| 3 | Jason Jordan | CAN | 78 |
| 4 | Carl Valentine | CAN | 65 |
| 5 | Dale Mitchell | CAN | 49 |
| 6 | Ivor Evans | Fiji | 47 |
| 7 | Eduardo Sebrango |  Cuba | 45 |
| 8 | Camilo Sanvezzo |  Brazil | 43 |
| 9 | Kevin Hector | ENG | 40 |
| 10 | Oliver Heald | CAN | 39 |
| 11 | Steve Kindel | CAN | 36 |
| 12 | Alfredo Valente | CAN | 35 |
| 13 | Bob Lenarduzzi | CAN | 34 |
| 13 | Doug Muirhead | CAN | 34 |
| 15 | Ray Hankin | ENG | 33 |
| 16 | Martin Nash | CAN | 31 |
| 17 | John Sulentic | CAN | 30 |
| 18 | Peter Beardsley | ENG | 29 |
| 18 | Paul Dailly | CAN | 29 |
| 18 | Trevor Whymark | ENG | 29 |
| 21 | Niall Thompson | CAN | 27 |
Note: NASL, CSL, APSL, A-League, USL-1, USSF D-2, and MLS (Regular Season, Playoffs, North American Club Championship, and Canadian Championship)
All-time appearances
As of 14 March 2014
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carl Valentine | CAN | 409 |
| 2 | Bob Lenarduzzi | CAN | 362 |
| 3 | Steve Macdonald | CAN | 320 |
| 4 | Steve Kindel | CAN | 287 |
| 5 | Domenic Mobilio | CAN | 286 |
| 6 | Martin Nash | CAN | 285 |
| 7 | Alfredo Valente | CAN | 271 |
| 8 | Jason Jordan | CAN | 257 |
| 9 | Doug Muirhead | CAN | 233 |
| 10 | Paul Dolan | CAN | 223 |
| 11 | Ivor Evans | Fiji | 221 |
| 12 | Jeff Clarke | CAN | 202 |
| 13 | Chris Franks | CAN | 201 |
| 14 | David Morris | USA | 200 |
| 15 | Geordie Lyall | CAN | 193 |
| 16 | Paul Dailly | CAN | 187 |
| 17 | Oliver Heald | CAN | 186 |
| 18 | David Norman | CAN | 171 |
| 19 | John Catliff | CAN | 147 |
| 20 | Doug McKinty | CAN | 137 |
| 21 | Jeff Skinner | CAN | 128 |
| 22 | Jay Nolly | USA | 126 |
| 23 | Dale Mitchell | CAN | 121 |
| 24 | Guido Titotto | CAN | 118 |
| 25 | John Sulentic | CAN | 115 |
| 26 | Nico Berg | CAN | 112 |
| 26 | Jamie Lowery | CAN | 112 |
| 27 | Nick Dasovic | CAN | 106 |
| 28 | Jim Easton Jr. | CAN | 102 |
| 28 | Camilo Sanvezzo | BRA | 102 |
| 30 | Shaun Lowther | CAN | 99 |
| 30 | Gershon Koffie |  GHA | 99 |
Note: NASL, CSL, APSL, A-League, USL-1, USSF D-2, and MLS (Regular Season, Playoffs, North American Club Championship, and Canadian Championship)
Managers
- NASL
| Name | Nationality | Years | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Easton | CAN | 1974–1975 | [70] |
| Eckhard Krautzun |  GER | 1976–1977 | [70] |
| Holger Osieck | GER | 1977 | [70] |
| Tony Waiters | ENG | 1977–1979, 1980 | [71] |
| Bob McNab | ENG | 1980 | |
| Johnny Giles |  IRE | 1981–1983 | |
| Alan Hinton | ENG | 1984 |
- CSL / APSL / A-League / USL-1 / USSF-D2
| Name | Nationality | Years | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Lenarduzzi | CAN | 1987–1993 | |
| Carl Valentine | ENG | 1994–1999 | |
| Dale Mitchell | CAN | 2000–2001 | |
| Tony Fonesca | CAN | 2002–2004 | |
| Bob Lilley | USA | 2005–2007 | |
| Teitur Thordarson |  ISL | 2008–2010 | [72] |
- MLS team
| Name | Nationality | Years | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teitur Thordarson | ISL | 2011 | [72] |
| Tom Soehn | USA | 2011 | |
| Martin Rennie | SCO | 2012–2013 | [73] |
| Carl Robinson | WAL | 2014–present | [74] |
Notes
- ↑ Fryatt, David (2002). "THE PCSL – When did soccer have its beginnings in British Columbia?". The PCSL. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- ↑ Press Release (May 12, 2012). "Report: Impact ties LA Galaxy 1–1 in front of 60,860 spectators at Olympic Stadium | Montreal Impact". Impactmontreal.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ↑ "The PCSL – When did soccer have its beginnings in British Columbia?". PCSL. 2002. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ↑ Davidson, Neil (October 25, 2000). "Whitecaps roll in, 86ers roll out of A-League". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ↑ "BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum". Bcsportshalloffame.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ↑ "WSA 1988 Season". A-leaguearchive.tripod.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- 1 2 Litterer, David (January 29, 2006). "The Year in American Soccer – 1990". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 31, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 1999". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ "History | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ↑ Holben, Jay. "Understanding and Utilizing the Secrets of Waves".
- ↑ "Coastal Wave Heights – Maritime". Maritime.nsw.gov.au. February 16, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ↑ "Boating Safety: Understanding Types of Waves | Harbortown Marina Canaveral Marina". Harbortownmarina.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ↑ "Whitecaps FC Reveals New Logo | Toronto FC". Torontofc.ca. June 8, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
- ↑ "Montreal wins USL-1 title". www.uslsoccer.com. October 17, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
- ↑ "MLS awards Vancouver team for 2011". March 18, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
- ↑ "It's official: Whitecaps joining MLS in 2011". The Vancouver Sun. March 18, 2009.
- ↑ "MLS expected to announce Vancouver expansion team". CBC News. March 17, 2009.
- ↑ "Whitecaps to announce they will join MLS in 2011". The Vancouver Sun. March 17, 2009.
- ↑ "Whitecaps to announce MLS franchise secured". Canwest News Service. March 17, 2009.
- ↑ "Technical Staff". whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
- ↑ Goals in all competitions except friendlies (NASL or MLS, U.S. Open Cup, USL and North American) are counted.
- ↑ "NASL Soccer North American Soccer League Players-Brian Gant". Nasljerseys.com. April 23, 1952. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
- ↑ Holroyd, Steven (January 31, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 1975". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps Rosters – 1976". Nasljerseys.com. April 23, 1952. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
- ↑ Holroyd, Steven (October 21, 2003). "The Year in American Soccer – 1977". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (October 27, 2003). "The Year in American Soccer – 1978". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (May 30, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 1979". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 31, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 1980". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (June 6, 2004). "The Year in American Soccer – 1981". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (August 15, 2012). "The Year in American Soccer – 1982". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (August 17, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 1983". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Holroyd, Steve (January 31, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 1984". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (December 12, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 1987". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (June 15, 2008). "The Year in American Soccer – 1988". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- 1 2 Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. "Domenic Mobilio". National Football Teams. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 29, 2006). "The Year in American Soccer – 1991". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (May 30, 2008). "The Year in American Soccer – 1992". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (May 30, 2008). "The Year in American Soccer – 1993". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David. "The Year in American Soccer – 1994". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 29, 2006). "The Year in American Soccer – 1995". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (May 30, 2008). "The Year in American Soccer – 1996". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (May 30, 2008). "The Year in American Soccer – 1997". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Name, No. "1998 USL First Division". US soccer statistics from 1866 to 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ↑ Douglas, Alan (February 27, 2002). "Niall Thompson Rejoins Vancouver". USL Fans News 2002. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 2, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 2000". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (December 12, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 2001". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Name, No. "2002 USL First Division". US soccer statistics from 1866 to 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ↑ "A-League 2003". USL Stats Archive 2003 Results/Schedules. 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
|first1=missing|last1=in Authors list (help) - ↑ Litterer, David (July 12, 2012). "The Year in American Soccer – 2004". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David. "The Year in American Soccer – 2005". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 22, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 2006". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (April 10, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 2007". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (April 10, 2010). "The Year in American Soccer – 2008". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 16, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 2009". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (December 12, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 2010". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (November 28, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer – 2011". American Soccer Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Litterer, David (January 4, 2000). "USA – A-League (American Professional Soccer League)". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ↑ Farley, Richard (July 26, 2008). ""White is the Colour" – Vancouver's NASL Success". A More Splendid Life. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ "WhitecapsFC Daily Carl Valentine Interview". Bell Media. May 14, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
- ↑ McColl, Michael (October 17, 2009). "Whitecaps Championship Reign Ended In Quebec". Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ↑ McColl, Michael (June 19, 2009). "Folding Frenchies Kill Whitecaps Dreams". Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ↑ McColl, Michael (June 20, 2009). "Montreal Screws Vancouver Again". Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps Year in Review: Introduction". October 20, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Brandon Timko (March 3, 2011). "DeMerit joins long list of storied Whitecaps FC captains". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ↑ "Bruce Wilson". BC Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ↑ Bob Mackin. "Vancouver celebrates 30 years of pro soccer this Friday". The Richmond Review. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ↑ Brandon Timko (March 3, 2011). "DeMerit joins long list of storied Whitecaps FC captains". WhitecapsFc.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ↑ "Whitecaps Captain Jay DeMerit out indefinitely | Vancity Buzz | Vancouver Events, News, Food, Lifestyle and More". Vancity Buzz. August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
- ↑ Farhan Devji (August 22, 2013). "Road to recovery: DeMerit close to return | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
- 1 2 3 Devji, Farhan (August 30, 2010). "'Caps Coaches – The NASL Days". WhitecapsFC.com. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ↑ "A Complete Database of England Internationals Since 1872". englandstats.com. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
- 1 2 "Thordarson Given His Big Chance". Prost Amerika. September 2, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ↑ "Whitecaps FC Part Ways With Martin Rennie". WhitecapsFC.com. October 29, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps introduce Carl Robinson as head coach". Vancouver Sun. December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
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