The Whitecaps bit farewell to Empire Field in a loss to Seattle, but welcome the new home at BC Place.
The newly renovated home is a welcome addition to the Whitecaps and the Lions who will swap playing dates on the “showcase” for sports in the lower mainland.
The multi-purpose building was opened in 1983 and is the largest air-supported Stadium and is owned by the BC Pavilion Corporation and has a seating capacity of 60,000.
The new Bell pitch is 117 yards long x 75 yards wide. The structure is the same as 18 suspension bridges, each around 200m long.
The stadium features a roof that is the same size as the field when it is opened. Each support for the roof is 47m tall and is 100m x 85m. The transformation takes 18 minutes to open.
A Polytan Ligaturf 240 RS+ all-weather turf field has been installed. The playing surface has a FIFA 2-star rating, designed to meet the highest standards.
This field has previously been used at the training grounds for German club Bayern Munich, Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach, Germany; Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria and Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru.
Today’s game is only the second ever match between both clubs which saw Portland win the first game 2-1 on August 20th.
While the Whitecaps are an expansion team in the MLS, the local fans have been extremely supportive of the club that is the brain-child of Bobby Lenarduzzi and group.
The pitch cost 1.2 million to renovate and the last time the Cap’s played here was in 2009 when they hosted the LA Galaxy.
Today’s game will feature an open-air roof which was opened prior to the start of the game in front of a sell-out crowd of 21,000 ecstatic fans.
I for one must say, I for one was impressed with the new-look BC Place and there is no doubt this can and will attract world class sports, concerts and numerous other events.
The old stadium had poor sound, poor lighting and small seats for anyone with knee or back problems which made them feel cramped at all times.
The new Stadium has HDTV’s, impressive sound and lighting that’s exceptional!
To Bobby Lenarduzzi, this must be like being a “new Father” and starting a family.
He has been behind the building or upgrade of this for years and to the many nay-sayers I can only say “you have to see it to believe”.
The young soccer players that took to the field prior to kick-off were thrilled to be a part of history.
Team Broadcaster Peter Schaad was speechless and is living his life-time dream.
The first Whitecaps player to take the field was Eric Hassli and was followed by starting tender Joe Cannon who has played 15 games to date.
The Timbers fans were outside the stadium at 11:30 AM which was a full 2 hours prior to the start of the game.
While the BC Lions opened the building on Friday in front of just over 57,000 fans, they managed a win over Edmonton, which is something that the Whitecaps are looking at repeating, but today wasn’t going to be the day.
It was not for a lack of trying on behalf of the Vancouver Whitecaps tho. They did everything they could to attract a sell-out crowd, but maybe next time.
The Whitecaps had several chances in the second half, but were shut down by Portland “tender” Troy Perkins.
While no time was added in the first half, the referee added four extra minutes (injury time) to the second half.
Final score in the match saw Portland come out on top by a narrow margin of 1-0.
Next game for the Whitecaps is October 6th against Real Salt Lake.
