Vancouver Whitecaps: A MLS History

Going into last night’s game with Columbus Crew, Vancouver Whitecaps led the Supporters’ Shield race after a club record four straight MLS wins.

A hard earned 2-2 draw moved them three points clear of second-placed FC Dallas and 10 points ahead of rivals Toronto FC, the next best placed Canadian side.

It is early in the campaign but the Whitecaps were comfortable in their 2-0 victory over MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy last weekend and are already well placed to qualify for the post-season.

BC Place is located in the heart of Vancouver

Factfile:

Founded: 1974

Stadium: BC Place (21,000)

Best MLS regular season finish: 9^th overall (2014)

Head Coach: Carl Robinson

Captain: Pedro Morales

Top MLS goalscorer: Camilo - 39

Most MLS appearances: Gershon Koffie -111*

MLS History:

Vancouver Whitecaps were announced as the 17^th MLS franchise in 2009 and finished 18^th overall in their inaugural season in 2011.

Since then the Caps have qualified for the post-season twice, becoming the first Canadian side to do so after finishing fifth in the Western Conference in 2012.

Last season Vancouver achieved their highest ever MLS finish, 9^th overall, after accumulating 50 regular season points for the first time.

However, the Whitecaps are yet to progress beyond the first knockout round of the post-season.

Head coach:

Robinson enjoyed a successful 1st season as head coach

Welshman Carl Robinson was appointed head coach in December 2013 after almost two years as assistant to his predecessor Martin Rennie.

In the 38-year-old’s first managerial role since ending a 16-year professional career, Robinson helped Vancouver qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time.

A midfielder by trade, Robinson began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and played for 11 clubs, finishing his playing days with four seasons in MLS at Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls.

Robinson won the English Championship twice, with Portsmouth and Sunderland, and played 52 times for Wales, scoring once.

Blue and White Stars:

v  Octavio Rivero:

Vancouver’s latest Designated Player has set BC Place alight since signing from Chilean outfit O’Higgins in the close season.

Rivero has scored five goals in his first si games for the club, including three winning goals, to head the MLS scoring charts after Week Five.

v  Pedro Morales:

Captain Fantastic: Morales scored 10 last year

The club captain won MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2014 after a sparkling first season which saw him score 10 goals, earning Vancouver’s golden boot, on top of 12 assists.

The Chilean midfielder made his name in Europe with Dinamo Zagreb where scored 24 times in 60
appearances and won three league titles as well as two Croatian Football Cups.

Rivalries:

v  Montreal Impact and Toronto FC:

In order to encourage a Canadian rivalry, the Whitecaps played their first ever MLS game against Toronto – they won 4-2 before embarking on a 11-game winless streak.

Vancouver earned CONCACAF Champions League qualification after finishing as the best-placed Canadian outfit in 2014.

v  Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers:

However, their true rivals lie in the Pacific Northwest; these rivalries predate MLS and matches between the teams are among the most passionately supported in the competition.

The sides compete for the Cascadia Cup, which is awarded to the highest ranked of the three sides; it was created by fans in 2004, continued in 2011 and is currently held by Vancouver.

Club Legend:

Caps' all-time leading scorer

v  Camilo Sanvezzo:
The Brazilian born forward joined the Whitecaps in 2011 after a successful trial and went on to break franchise, as well as league records, during his two year stay.
He became the first player in MLS history to score two goals in stoppage time, his first goals for the side, before winning Vancouver’s Player of the Year in his first season.
After a disappointing 2012 he came roaring back the following season, netting 22 goals to win the MLS Golden Boot, Goal of the Year and Caps’ Player of the Year.
Despite leaving the franchise in acrimonious circumstances in January 2014, he remains Vancouver’s record MLS goal scorer with 39 and is rumoured to be considering Canadian citizenship.

Premier League influences:

Best known for spells with Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, defender Andy O’Brien made 280 Premier League appearances before joining Vancouver in 2012.

The Republic of Ireland international, played fifty times for the Whitecaps and was an integral part of the side that recorded their best ever MLS finish last season.

Kenny Miller's 13 goals in 45 appearances also played a big part; the Scot was relegated from the Premier League with Wolves and Derby - who famously recorded just 11 points in 2007/08.

Earnshaw celebrates a debut goal

Recent arrival Robbie Earnshaw, well known for his eccentric celebrations, scored a stoppage-time winner on his debut to send Vancouver top of the Western Conference.

Did you know?

v  Only two players have scored MLS hat-tricks for Vancouver, Kekuta Manneh and Camilo

v  David Ousted has won more MLS games with the Whitecaps than any other player – he has 20 wins with the Canadians.

v  BC Place is the only MLS stadium with a retractable roof.

v  Vancouver’s record MLS appearance maker will miss tonight’s game through suspension.
v  New signing Robbie Earnshaw played international football for Wales alongside head coach Robinson.

Images courtesy of Rich Lam, Jeff Vinnick and Ross G. Strachan, with thanks.