Given the trials and tribulations the franchise has endured over the past twenty years, the Whitecaps are well aware that bringing Major League Soccer to the Lower Mainland is nothing compared to making it work.
If ownership is any indication, the operation should be extremely successful. Greg Kerfoot made a mint in software before purchasing the ‘Caps. Jeff Mallett is the former chief operating officer of Yahoo Inc. and current co-owner of the San Francisco Giants. Steve Luzco is a partial owner of the Boston Celtics, and you may have heard of the other partner, Steve Nash. Not only have they all excelled in their individual professions, they are all extremely passionate about growing soccer in both B.C. and Canada.
That zeal will translate into a quality product on the field, but all involved realize that results are only half the battle when it comes to selling soccer in North America.
The accompanying atmosphere must be even more entertaining than the game itself in order to convert those unfamiliar with the most popular game on the planet.
But for this venture to really take hold in Vancouver, conversion is not the answer: It is the passion of those who vigorously defend the beautiful game that the organization must tap into.
For whatever reason, a mentality of superiority has infiltrated a certain percentage of ardent soccer fans in Vancouver. Such people refuse to support the local product because it is not the highest level of the game on the planet.
These soccer snobs are constantly dismissing both the USL and the MLS for the simple fact that neither is the English Premier League nor the European Champions League.
That’s like hockey fans in Winnipeg boycotting the Manitoba Moose because they don’t play in the NHL.
The fact of the matter is Vancouver has been invited to play in the top league on this continent.
Yesterday’s announcement will bring a better brand of soccer to this city than that which previously existed, and bigger international matches are guaranteed to follow. If those in this region who claim to love soccer actually prove it with their actions, the Whitecaps are set to embark on a long and healthy existence in the MLS.
Scott Rintoul is a college athlete, sports fan and broadcaster. He can be heard Monday-Friday on the TEAM 1040 from 6-9 a.m. scott.rintoul@team1040.ca.
