The start of the second MLS season is underway with the first match to be played against the Montreal Impact.
Knowing the diversity of the City and getting involved, means bringing in quality talent, regardless of their nationality. In an area that understands the importance of the fishing industry, one could say that the Whitecaps made some “great catches” in the off-season.
The clubs biggest off-season offensive addition took a short four minutes to score what would be the game winner in a 2-0 win on opening day.
The marker was also the fastest ever goal scored in a MLS season opener game.
This is the 56th all-time game between both clubs dating back to 1993, but the first in the MLS for the 2012 season.
Before 93 Vancouver faced the Montreal Supra 16 times in CSL and prior to that the Whitecaps and the Manic played 6 times in NASL.
Peter Schaad (play by play) and David Norman (colour person) are looking forward to an exceptional season.
The first season for the Caps saw them take the home opener against Toronto FC with a 4-2 at Empire Field, which was the first all-Canadian match in league history.
The Whitecaps finished the 2011 season in 9th place in the Western Conference tied with New England with the fewest points.
Last season in games played at BC Place the Whitecaps had two sell-outs, which came in the second half of the season.
Today’s match is also a sell-out with 21,000 on hand to take in the home opener, which was great to see.
At the half the Caps were up 1 nil, with several close in chances to close out the half.
Following the first half MLS commissioner Don Garber spoke to the media about several topics, which included the awarding of the MLS all-star game.
He was very candid about the league, expansion, additional franchises as well as the league drug testing policy.
As for expansion the league is looking at putting another team in New York, but no other cities in Canada.
The league has meetings this next week in Portland, with several topics on the agenda.
I asked him about the leagues policy of community involvement and he told me “As a league we really don’t have a policy, so each club set’s its own policy.
It is however imperative that they continue to remain strong, which helps not only promote but grow the sport to today’s youth”.
The second half saw the Whitecaps continue to press with numerous chances, with one Montreal shot stopped on the goal line and the other Cap’s shot hitting the post.
The Caps by far look to in better condition this season than last, with off-season training playing a huge part in the success of the team.
Overall the Whitecaps are pleased with the outcome, but Martin Rennie stated “it’s only 3 points and we savour the win and then it’s back to work.
He continued “if you wrote it up any way you wanted, you want an early goal and that definitely settles the nerves and gives you confidence, because Montreal started the first few minutes well”.
The Caps played strong in front of the fans and the main goal now, is to keep focused and play solid soccer.
The game had three yellow cards handed out, two to Montreal and one to Vancouver.
photo by Justin Borges – Sportswave photographer
