Vancouver is probably the MLS city that I know least about. It is just one of 3 MLS cities I’ve never visited (Columbus, Houston are the other two). Outside of talking to a few parents from the academy (they said crime is a lot worse than I expected) , I don’t personally know anyone that has spent much time there. I know there is a huge Asian (Chinese) population, it has about 2.4 million in the meto area and not much else. From an outsiders point of view is seems like Whitecaps seem to do well (top third), but do not reach their potential. Competition from other sports does not seem high, Canucks would seem to be the team in the city but they largely play in the winter. BC Lions would seem the main competition but the CFL doesn’t seem to be anywhere near NHL, NFL, or MLB. The closest comparison is Portland. Similar sized cities. Similar entry in the league. Similar competition. But where Portland sells out every game and will sell every seat of their expanded stadium, Vancouver averages almost the same size crowds as Portland despite having a stadium with double the capacity. My question: What keeps Vancouver from having Seattle/Atlanta/Portland relevance? I hear virtually nothing (good or bad) about the ownership group, is that issue? Stadium seems to be in a good location and easily accessible. Is CFL much bigger than I realize? Is there a lack of coverage in the media because the writes don’t like soccer? Is local travel more difficult? Just curious to hear what the followers think since I don't hear much about the team otherwise.
My question: What keeps Vancouver from having Seattle/Atlanta/Portland relevance? an ownership group that hasnt been ambitious- they have always stayed within the MLS money pots; the majority owner hides from the fans and media; as long as they get +20 000 fans/game, they were happy and its why they didnt can the coach a long time ago- now apathy is rearing its ugly head so i believe positive changes are in the wind vancouver is a great soccer market and all it would take is vision, ambition, investment and a quality coaching staff that has an eye for talent and how to use it in order to make it an elite MLS market- i have seen it before in the old NASL days when the Caps captured the market we can fill the lower bowl of 27 000 if the team is exciting and entertaining; now with a new coaching staff and the owners committing to add millions from the davies transfer to bayern munich (an initial payment of $13 mill USD and i am guessing they will use $4-5 mill beyond the MLS money pots), i am expecting a a higher profile for the team in vancouver and MLS watch out, the Whitecaps are on the move and i am moving from sadness and apathy to hope and belief
I have to say other than Steve Nash (because he played in the NBA), your ownership group is really low profile compared to Toronto (they of the Bloody big deal and other things) and Saputo who seems to love the limelight. Granted they are bigger cities, but I live on the west coast and know a lot about them and virtually nothing about yours. At the end of the day much of a teams success or lack thereof seems to come down the the quality of the ownership group. What is changing within the ownership group to drive your optimism? Also what kind of buzz is Pacific FC generating in the region?
Our ownership group is the root of the problem here. The majority owner is essentially a recluse to the outside world. He won't grant interviews, refuses to be photographed, has no public profile online, and will not allow his voice to be recorded. He gave his CFO direction to be very tight with the money; not just on player funds but right down to front office salaries, supplies, and nit picky little things. Steve Nash was brought in for profile more than anything. he is well loved here. He just made a tiny investment and has no say in the running of the organization. He generally came up for one or two games a year, or perhaps a pre season kick around with the club. That is about it. Mallet does the mouthpiece work. But he is a minority partner and does not have final say. Accounts are he has got frustrated with Mr. Kerfoot's tight fisted ways, as he runs the Giants in a way that has the goal of winning the World Series (and they have more than once). The other guy is an investor only and has no involvement with the club; I have no idea if he even comes to Vancouver. THey always had a goal of accepting a playoff spot and 20k fans in the stadium. As long as they go that, they let Carl do whatever he pleased for 5 years even as apathy set in. Outside of the 20k that show up at games, there has been little buzz about the club and the TV ratings have been abysmal. They spiked once in a while as with their home playoff date last year. MDS is a fresh man, cleaning house, with a better eye for talent and more coaching ability. The owners will kick in something from the Davies money ,but I think they will minimize it as much as possible to see how they do this season. If they flop, then they will open it up more. Depends on the fan reaction. All in all, this is the best place they have been since the opening of 2011. A lot of the stink is out with Carl and Baldwin gone, and the shipping out of the majority of players.
GOTTA SAY-- you nailed it -- but i think kerfoot-- mr incognito, mr anonymous, mr quiet fog- is letting jeff mallett take the ownership lead in setting the tone, vision, and ambition of the club- mallett has brought a restructuring of the club at the executive level- lenarduzzi is more a PR guy, greg anderson is the Pres, new accountability in the signing and scouting of players and - HOPEFULLY- more investment to take the club into the market beyond the 22 000 who attend we will know in 2-3 months if i am right- while not expecting an elite team for 2019, i am hoping to see a plan to take us there over the next 2-3 years- MDS signings in january-february will tell us a lot because of right now, we are the weakest team in MLS
its just a gut-feeling that Mallett has pushed on the other owners to capture the vancouver market with more investments, wiser choices and better people in charge-- he has built a consistent winner in San Fran and i believe he wants the same in Vancouver which has always had the potential to be an elite team/market in MLS- we finally have an owner's face, committment and ambition to lead the charge i believe the Caps will have 3 significant DPs by july- a CB, a MF leader and a striker who can score- all 3 will be from outside MLS 3 things to unfold soon (prior to training camp opening) : 1. i can see the caps resigning aja as a back-up CB if he is willing to play that role; 2. still waiting for the shoe to drop on techera and the Caps hopefully acquire a +$500 000 selling fee for the bug who can 'bugger-off' - his attitude will never sell on MDS; 3.and the buying out of juarez (or a loan) will add another $600 000 of salary room- you cant have his face in the locker room or on the training pitch but lets remember, its a 2-3 year project- the january signings will tell us a lot of whether i am right or wrong -