67 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Whitecaps set host Messi and Inter Miami as MLS unveils schedule

 

Argentinian soccer star an anniversary present to the fans as franchise turns 50

https://www.vicnews....chedule-7288560

[Ismo07]

Whitecaps FC to host Tigres UANL at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC on February 7   | Vancouver Whitecaps

[Victoria Watcher]

Lionel Messi could play in Vancouver against Whitecaps FC next May

 

Inter Miami is set to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 25, 2024 at BC Place; will Lionel Messi play?

https://www.timescol...ext-may-8011501

 

 

 

Cheapest tickets on StubHub are $659.  Whitecaps have no put on sale single-game tickets yet.  Or opened the upper bowl.  

 

For comparison, games adjacent to this go for $55 on Stubhub.

 

 

 

 

 

Luis Suárez signs with Inter Miami, reunites with former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi

 

https://www.ctvnews....messi-1.6699308

 

There had been speculation for months that Suárez would join Inter Miami, especially given his relationship with Messi. Inter Miami won its first trophy — the Leagues Cup — last season shortly after Messi arrived, his signing part of an overhaul that brought elite talent like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to the club, along with coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino. Busquets and Alba also played for Barcelona alongside Messi, and Martino is a former Barcelona coach.

 

Now, Suárez joins that mix. He turns 37 in January — Messi is 36, Busquets is 35 and Alba turns 35 in March, so Inter Miami will surely have some workloads to manage. And Suárez has struggled with intense knee pain, but clearly the lure of playing with Messi again was too strong to ignore.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 December 2023 - 03:13 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Vancouver Whitecaps temporarily add ‘Island’ to name ahead of game in Langford

 

According to the club, more than 90 percent of seats for the match in Langford had already been sold as of Monday. Remaining tickets can be purchased online, while limited-edition Vancouver Island Whitecaps merchandise will be sold at Starlight on Feb. 7.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...ngford-1189463/

[Victoria Watcher]

In keeping with the Island theme, the Whitecaps pointed out they also have five weekend 4:30 p.m. starts this MLS season at B.C. Place aimed specifically at fans from Vancouver Island and the Okanagan. That includes the season opener March 2 against Charlotte FC. With more than 25,000 tickets already sold for that game, the upper bowl will be opened.

 

Another CONCACAF Champions League game is scheduled for Starlight Stadium on Feb. 21 between CPL representative Cavalry FC and Orlando City of MLS. That game was shifted to the Island because of the winter conditions expected in Calgary this month.

 

 

https://www.timescol...stadium-8213214

[Victoria Watcher]

Tigres UANL fans, whose home stadium in known as El Volcan, brought a mini volcano with them to the Island on Wednesday night. They made Starlight Stadium their own in the stands with signs and chanting that often drowned out the Vancouver Whitecaps supporters.

 

But neither the Tigres of Liga MX or the Whitecaps of Major League Soccer could make the pitch quite their own in a cracking 1-1 CONCACAF Champions Cup opening-round match before 5,753 boisterous fans. It was the second-largest crowd for soccer this winter at Starlight after the 6,102 who watched Canada beat Australia 5-0 in a women’s friendly in December in Canadian legend Christine Sinclair’s penultimate game in red. Many of the fans Wednesday complained of the long waits to get into the game, causing them to miss the first part of the first half.

 

https://www.timescol...stadium-8274051

 

 

Many of the fans Wednesday complained of the long waits to get into the game, causing them to miss the first part of the first half.

 

 

 

That's too bad.  At some point, you just have to let them in, assume they have tickets.  But of course the delay might have been security /bag checks etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Croatian-import Damir Kreilach nodded home a header at 32 minutes for the Whitecaps. U.S. international Brian White appeared to make it 2-0 at 53 minutes but the goal was disallowed on video review. Tigres tied it on a moment of pure magic by André-Pierre Gignac, a World Cup and European Championship player for France, who connected on a majestic penalty kick to the top corner at 88 minutes that would have done Messi or Beckham proud. He then jogged to the Tigres cheering section of the crowd and pointed to the name on the back of his jersey and flexed, much to the delight of the Mexican team’s fans.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 February 2024 - 02:55 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

Gignac's tying goal was as they say just "sublime". Gorgeous shot from a world class player.

[Matt R.]

I was in Swartz bay when this team and/or their fans arrived, the whole railing of the top deck was taken over with banners over the rail, megaphone, drums, flags, songs etc.

Of course my first thought was “protest” but after looking a little more closely figured it was “soccer hooligans”.