Seattle. Vancouver. A tale of two cities.

Discussion in 'Vancouver Whitecaps' started by whiteisthecolour, Jul 14, 2011.

  1. whiteisthecolour

    whiteisthecolour Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 10, 2007
    Miyazaki, Japan
    Club:
    Vancouver Whitecaps
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
    As I watch Seattle continue to roll along successfully in both league and (especially) USOC play, I am curious what you think Seattle did right personnel-wise that Vancouver missed the boat on.

    We both emerged from USL - a place where Vancouver was usually more successful - and came into MLS with expansion draft selections. Vancouver went out and secured Hassli, Rochat, Chiumiento, and DeMerit - which, to me, seemed like better pickups than what Seattle started out with. But we suck, and they have been successful.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Yoshou

    Yoshou Fan of the CCL Champ

    May 12, 2009
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's the rest of the guys Seattle had around their core, although Ljungberg, Montero, Hurtado, Alonso, and Keller were a very good core to build around. Because Vancouver had to compete with Portland in the expansion draft your expansion picks were therefore weaker than what Seattle got. Vancouver also seemed to be using their draft more to get trade bait vs. actual players for their team, so your picks were skewed that direction. Another huge help for the Sounders was that Zakuani was already MLS starter quality when they drafted him, while Salgado needed/needs some seasoning before he becomes a MLS starter.

    Oh.. And Nate Jaqua had a career year.
     
  3. RicoAzzurro

    RicoAzzurro Member

    Mar 20, 2011
    Vancouver, BC
    Club:
    Vancouver Whitecaps
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    I agree, apart from the core guys mentioned plus Koffie and Camilo, the rest of the squad is lacking.
     
  4. Yoshou

    Yoshou Fan of the CCL Champ

    May 12, 2009
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I also forgot to add in Sigi. The Sounders quite literally stole one of the best coaches in the league from Columbus and you guys took a chance on TT and when that didn't work out, you downgraded even further with Soehn.
     
  5. JoeCelt

    JoeCelt Member+

    Jul 7, 2012
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    I hope you (VWC fans) had good time today in Seattle?!
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. ixadvent

    ixadvent Member

    Dec 8, 2011
    Club:
    Whitecaps
    I personally love the atmosphere in Seattle, and the fact that Century Link holds up to 50k of audience is amazing. Wish BC place could emulate that in the the near times.
     
  7. JoeCelt

    JoeCelt Member+

    Jul 7, 2012
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    They should advertize more and open upper bowl at BC place, perhaps for playoffs!?

    BTW, CLink holds 67k and for Portland game we are hoping to reach that number. Greetings from Seattle!
     
  8. ixadvent

    ixadvent Member

    Dec 8, 2011
    Club:
    Whitecaps
    I happened to be at Seattle during a weekend where they were hosting Celtics two years back I believe. I bought a pair of tickets right at the spot. Amazing times.
     
  9. JoeCelt

    JoeCelt Member+

    Jul 7, 2012
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    Now Vancouver can host some big Euro clubs summertime and open whole BC place for 50+k!

    ManU vs Celtics 07/23/2003 - 67k in Seattle
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Kingston

    Kingston Member+

    Oct 6, 2005
    While Seattle is outperforming the Whitecaps, I don't think it's at all fair to say Vancouver sucks. As a Toronto fan, I would love to have my team "suck" as badly as the Whitecaps. Most expansion teams miss the playoffs in their first year. Salt Lake took four years to reach the playoffs. Portland will be at least three. Philly pipped the playoffs last year but is back in the tank.

    I'd say Vancouver is building nicely. They're on an upward trajectory as opposed to a one-off, rise and fall approach. They'll make the playoffs this year and, more importantly, be even higher the next year and the year after that.

    Comparing yourself to Seattle is comparing yourself to the best performing of the expansion teams. That's not a bad thing to do - go, aim high! - but recognize that in addition to hard work by the ownership and fans, Seattle has also had a few things break just right for them to get where they are. It was going to happen to someone and that someone happened to be Seattle.
     
  11. JoeCelt

    JoeCelt Member+

    Jul 7, 2012
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    I am surprised that Steve Nash is not more involved as face of the team?! Just comparing him to actor Drew Carey who lives in LA but is often seen at Sounders games and gel wonderfully with Seattle fans.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. evan eleven

    evan eleven Member

    Jun 4, 2009
    California
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    ahem, Sounders won four Division 2 championships. and Whitecaps won two, if i'm not mistaken
     
  13. JohnnyRanger

    JohnnyRanger Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jul 30, 2008
    Vancouver
    Club:
    Vancouver Whitecaps
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    Between the old NASL years, the CSL and the USL/NASL/USSF D2 the Caps won it all in 2008, 2006, and simply dominated the CSL from 88-92 including 4 titles in a row and the NACC victory over Maryland Bays of the APSL in '90. The Caps won a Soccerbowl in '79 as part of the old NASL, something Seattle never did, although they were the bridesmaid twice. Vancouver Royals (Sunderland) were a part of the United Soccer Assn in 67, Seattle was not.

    Typically over the years Vancouver & Seattle were among the best/strongest teams in the APSL/A League/USL/NASL/USSF D2 years.

    I'm fairly brushed up on my Whitecaps History, I wonder if anyone can tell me about the years between the NASL and the APSL starting up about soccer in Seattle?
     

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