History of Vancouver Whitecaps FC

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The history of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a professional soccer team based in Vancouver, Canada, spans over four decades. The first team to use the "Whitecaps" name was the Vancouver Whitecaps of the now-defunct North American Soccer League, playing from 1974 to 1984. After two years while the core of the players were focused on preparations for the 1986 World Cup, a second version of the club was founded in 1986 as the Vancouver 86ers. This team bought back the Whitecaps name in 2000 and has operated continuously in various leagues since 1986. A Whitecaps FC team began play in Major League Soccer starting in 2011 making it the first time since 1984 that a "Whitecaps" team played in the top tier of soccer in the United States and Canada.

Contents

NASL (1974–84)

The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League (NASL). The founding investors in the club were: Herb Capozzi, president; Denny Veitch, general manager; C. N. "Chunky" Woodward owner of Woodwards Department Stores; Chuck Wills, lawyer; Wendy McDonald, president of B.C. Bearing Engineers; Pat McCleary and Harry Moll, proprietors of Charlie Brown Steak House. [1]

The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl coached by Tony Waiters. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home grown" stars like Bruce Wilson, Bobby and Sam Lenarduzzi, Buzz Parsons, and Glen Johnson. In 1979 the team from the "Village of Vancouver" (a reference to ABC TV sportscaster Jim McKay's observation that "Vancouver must be like the deserted village right now", with so many people watching the game on TV) beat the powerhouse New York Cosmos in one of the most thrilling playoff series in NASL history to advance to the Soccer Bowl. In the Soccer Bowl, they triumphed against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a disappointed New York City.

It was during this short period that soccer interest peaked in Vancouver. The Whitecaps attendance at Empire Stadium grew to regular sellouts, at 32,000. The team also recorded two tracks, with "White is the Colour" becoming a hit on local radio during the run-up to their championship win.

After playing at Vancouver's 32,000-seat Empire Stadium for most of their existence, the team moved into the brand new 60,000-seat BC Place Stadium in 1983. The Whitecaps set a then highest all-time Canadian attendance record of 60,342 spectators for a professional soccer game, on June 20, 1983, Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Seattle Sounders at BC Place. [2] However, the subsequent demise of the NASL in 1984 meant the Whitecaps – along with the other teams in the NASL – were forced to fold.

CSL (1985–92)

Several of the players from the NASL Vancouver Whitecaps were members of the Canadian Men's National Team preparing for the 1986 World Cup in training camps held in Vancouver. They played exhibition games against teams in the Western Soccer Alliance Challenge Series in 1985. Several are listed on the 1986 FIFA World Cup squads lists as playing for the MISL's Tacoma Stars for the indoor season and played with the Canadian National Men's Team for the outdoor summer season.

The Vancouver 86ers Soccer Club started operations in November 1985 by the community-owned West Coast Soccer Society. Tony Waiters, Les Wilson and Dave Fryatt were the first franchise holders granted the rights for Vancouver on July 26, 1986. [3] The Vancouver 86ers were so named because of the year of the team's founding-1986, the 86 principals underwriting the club, and to commemorate the year the city of Vancouver was founded (1886). There were a lot of ties between the Whitecaps and the 86ers such as Tony Waiters (shareholder), Buzz Parsons (manager 1987–88), Bob Lenarduzzi (coach 1987–1993), Carl Valentine, Jim Easton, David Norman, Dale Mitchell. In newspaper reports the Whitecaps were often referred to as the previous version of the CSL's Vancouver 86ers. Several attempts were made to purchase the Whitecaps name; however, the name was not for sale or the owner wanted too much money for the cash strapped community-owned club. [4]

The Vancouver 86ers played its first game in 1987 in the Canadian Soccer League against Edmonton. The 86ers played in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) winning four straight CSL Championships (1988–1991) and five consecutive CSL regular-season first-place finishes (1988–92). Vancouver played in the CSL from its inception in 1987 until the league folded in 1992, and then moved over to the APSL in 1993 which was later absorbed into the USL hierarchy of leagues in 1997 becoming the A-League, later renamed the USL-1.

In 1988–1989, the team, coached by Bob Lenarduzzi, set a North American professional sports record by playing 46 consecutive games without a loss. The record began after the June 1988 match the 86ers lost 3–1 away to the North York Rockets. Vancouver then won 37 matches and tied nine others before falling 2–1 away to the Edmonton Brickmen in August 1989. In 2004 the BC Sports Hall of Fame inducted the 1989 soccer team. [5] Also in 1988 the Vancouver 86ers and Calgary Kickers played six friendly matches each against the Western Soccer Alliance in the month of May. [6]

In 1990, the Vancouver 86ers captured the North American Club Championship after defeating the Maryland Bays 3–2 in the final played in Burnaby. The game was played between the champions of the Canadian Soccer League and the champions of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). [7] The Vancouver 86ers withdrew from the 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup prior to the opening Group 2 first round match due to financial constraints. The 86ers also came up short in the first round of the 1992 ‘Professional Cup’ North American Club Championship where they faced APSL champions Colorado Foxes over two legs.

APSL / A-League / USL-1 (1993–2010)

In 1999 Vancouver's player-coach who was one of North American soccer's last active participants in the NASL, Carl Valentine, retired. [8]

With whole hearted support from the fans the new owner, David Stadnyk, bought the name Whitecaps from former NASL Whitecaps director John Laxton. October 26, 2000 the Vancouver 86ers formally changed their name back to the Whitecaps. [9]

In the 2001 season, the team began to use the old Vancouver Whitecaps moniker. The club adopted a similar crest to that of the NASL team featuring a wave. A white cap is a nautical term for a wind wave, not a surf wave. White caps are indicative of force 3 or higher wind and a wave height greater than three feet (0.91 m). For smaller boat craft, the appearance of white caps are a sign of rising wind and danger often necessitating a return to harbour. [10] [11] [12] With the re-branding process of the MLS franchise, the club crest was expanded to include the white caps of snow-covered mountains and include all of the province of BC. [13]

In 2003, the name was again changed, albeit only slightly, to Whitecaps FC, which encompasses the men's, women's, and youth development teams within the organization. At this time, the Whitecaps logo changed slightly in colour (the light teal-green was replaced with a brighter blue) and the word Vancouver was dropped from the image.

In 2006, the Whitecaps organization won an unprecedented double-championship, claiming both the USL-1 championship trophy, defeating the host Rochester Rhinos 3–0 at PAETEC Park, and winning the W-League women's championship. The men's team also won the Nation's Cup, a new tournament established by their club as a way to feature the Whitecaps playing against international competition. The 2006 Nation's Cup tournament featured the Chinese and Indian U-20 national teams and Championship Welsh club Cardiff City F.C. (the "Bluebirds"). They also gradually added the "Vancouver" back into their name, changing it officially to "Vancouver Whitecaps FC".

The following season, the Whitecaps signed a deal to play an exhibition match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, which featured international David Beckham, and promoted director of soccer operations Bob Lenarduzzi to team president. USL-1 teams, especially those in the US competing in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, were beginning to see with marketing that MLS teams could be a larger draw as MLS's quality of play increased and the league gained a greater profile.

October 12, 2008, they claimed their second United Soccer Leagues First Division championship with a 2–1 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders. Charles Gbeke scored twice with his head in the second half to help secure the title. In 2009, they placed seventh in the league and were eliminated in the final by the Montreal Impact on a 6–3 aggregate. [14]

MLS (2011–present)

On March 18, 2009, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that Vancouver would be the seventeenth franchise of Major League Soccer. [15] It joined the Portland Timbers, announced two days later as the eighteenth MLS franchise, for the 2011 MLS season. While no name was provided at the Vancouver announcement, over a year later the club confirmed that the MLS team would keep the Whitecaps name. [16] [17] [18] [19]

In preparation for its inaugural season, the Whitecaps brought in executive talent from around the world. On November 24, 2009, Paul Barber, former Tottenham Hotspur F.C. executive, was announced to join the club as CEO. Others joining him include former D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn as Director of Operations and Dutch national Richard Grootscholten as the technical director and head coach of the residency program. Former Iceland international Teitur Thordarson was confirmed as head coach on September 2, 2010 for the inaugural MLS season. [20] He held the same position with the USL-1 and later USSF Division 2 Whitecaps. He was subsequently relieved of his duties on May 30, 2011, after the Whitecaps won just one of their first twelve matches. Tom Soehn, the Whitecaps director of soccer operations, replaced Thordarson on an interim basis. [21]

The Whitecaps began play in the 2011 MLS season with their first match on March 19, 2011, against rival Canadians Toronto FC, which they won 4–2. The first goal in the Whitecaps' MLS era was scored by Eric Hassli. [22] After their winning start the Whitecaps struggled, and failed to secure another victory in their next 11 MLS games, drawing six and losing five. In the aftermath of their 1–1 draw with the New York Red Bulls on May 30 head coach Teitur Thordarson was fired. [23] Tom Soehn took over coaching duties for the remainder of the 2011 season, while Martin Rennie was announced as the new permanent head coach on August 9, taking over officially on November 2. [24] The team managed to attract 15,500 season ticket holders in its first MLS season and 13,000 for the second. [25]

On March 3, 2012, the Whitecaps won their first minor, pre-season cup at the 2012 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic defeating Toronto FC 1–0 thanks to a goal by Camilo Sanvezzo. The Whitecaps finished the regular season with 11 wins, 3 losses, and 10 ties positioning the club, fifth in the Western Conference and 11th on the league overall table. On October 21, 2012, the Whitecaps became the first Canadian team to earn a spot in the MLS playoffs. [26] Vancouver were eliminated in the knockout round.

In the 2013 season, Vancouver finished in seventh in the Western Conference, 13th in the league table with 13 wins, 12 losses, and 9 ties in the regular season. They were not able to qualify for the post season, in the playoffs as they had accomplished in the season prior. Two days after the end of the 2013 MLS regular season, Rennie's contract was not renewed sparking a search for the next head coach. [27] In their off-season, the Whitecaps were in the midst of controversy with one of their then players, Camilo, who had played for the team since their inaugural campaign, after the Brazilian went on to join Liga MX club Querétaro. The Mexican club believed that he was no longer under contract, while the Whitecaps reported that he was still on a contract with Vancouver. [28] The scandal was resolved with the Liga MX club paying a transfer fee from Vancouver to acquire the Brazilian forward. [29]

In October 2014, the Whitecaps qualified for the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League for the very first time as a result of becoming the highest ranked Canadian team in the 2014 MLS season and due to a reformatting of the Canadian Championship in the following season. A week later they qualified for the MLS playoffs for the second time, an achievement unmatched by any Canadian team. [30]

In 2015, the Whitecaps would go on to have their best-ever regular season, finishing the season with 53 points. They also went on to win the Canadian Championship for the first time, defeating Montreal 2-0 in the second leg to win the final 4-2 on aggregate. In the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League and 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, however, they did not achieve the same success, getting eliminated in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League and the conference semi-final of the playoffs.

2016 saw the Whitecaps take a step back, finishing the regular season with 39 points. In the 2016 Canadian Championship, they reached the final, but lost 2-2 on away goals to Toronto FC. They did go on to win the Cascadia Cup on the final day of the regular season, beating the Portland Timbers 4-1.

2017 saw major improvement for the Whitecaps, as they made the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals for the first time, but were eliminated by Tigres UANL. They finished the regular season with 52 points, making the playoffs for the fourth time in their history. However, despite recording their first-ever playoff win against the San Jose Earthquakes in the knockout round, they were eliminated by Seattle Sounders FC in the conference semi-final.

In 2018, the Whitecaps would record the fourth-worst defensive record of the season, conceding 67 goals. As a result of poor form in the regular season, coach Carl Robinson was relieved of his duties on September 25, 2018. He was replaced by interim Craig Dalrymple for the remainder of the regular season. The Whitecaps finished the season with 47 points and would miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

2019 saw a new-look squad for the Whitecaps, as key players like Alphonso Davies, Kendall Waston, Kei Kamara, and Cristian Techera had all departed following the 2018 season. They would once again go on to miss the playoffs, finishing the season last place in the Western Conference. They were also eliminated by Cavalry FC in the 2019 Canadian Championship, becoming the first MLS team to get eliminated by a Canadian Premier League side in Canadian Championship history.

2020 was the club's 10th season in Major League Soccer. However, on March 12, 2020, after only two games played, Major League Soccer suspended their season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Whitecaps' season resumed on July 15, 2020, when they played the San Jose Earthquakes in their first match of the MLS is Back Tournament. Despite losses to the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders FC, a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire was enough for the team to qualify to the round of 16. However, the Whitecaps would ultimately lose to Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes. From August 18 to September 16, 2020, the Whitecaps would play six matches against fellow Canadian MLS teams Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, that would serve as both regular season matches as well as qualifiers for the 2020 Canadian Championship. The Whitecaps would not qualify for the Canadian Championship, finishing at the bottom of the qualification table with only 6 points from 6 games. From September 19, 2020 until the end of the season, the Whitecaps would play the rest of their home matches at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. They would finish the season with 27 points from 23 matches played, missing the playoffs for the third season in a row.

2021 saw much greater success for the Whitecaps. The season did not start off well initially, with head coach Marc Dos Santos being relieved of his duties on August 27, 2021 as a result of his team sitting below the playoff line after 20 games, as well as once again getting eliminated by Pacific FC in the 2021 Canadian Championship. However, under interim head coach Vanni Sartini, the team would go unbeaten in 12 of their last 14 games to finish the season, making the playoffs for the first time in four years. In the playoffs, the Whitecaps were eliminated in the first round by Sporting Kansas City, losing by a scoreline of 3-1. On November 30, 2021, Vanni Sartini was named as the club's new head coach.

In 2022, the Whitecaps would go on to have mixed success. They missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, finishing the season with 43 points. However, they won the 2022 Canadian Championship, beating Toronto FC 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following regulation and extra time. It was the first time that the Whitecaps won the Canadian Championship since their first victory in 2015. The Canadian Championship victory also meant that the Whitecaps would qualify for the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.

In the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, the Whitecaps defeated Real C.D. España to advance to the quarterfinals, but were ultimately eliminated by Los Angeles FC. In the regular season, the team would finish with 48 points, qualifying for the playoffs. They were once again eliminated by Los Angeles FC. In 2023 Leagues Cup, their inaugural appearance in the competition, the Whitecaps advanced to the Round of 32, but were eliminated by Tigres UANL. For the second consecutive season, the Whitecaps won the Canadian Championship for the third time, beating CF Montréal 2-1 in the final. As a result, they qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup saw the Whitecaps face Tigres UANL, a team that the Whitecaps previously lost to 4-1 on aggregate in the 2016-17 edition. The Whitecaps would once again get eliminated by the Liga MX side, by the same 4-1 aggregate scoreline.

Uniform evolution

NASL Era (1974–1984)

[31]

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1974–75
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1976
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1977
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1978
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1979–84
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1974–75
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1976
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1977
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1978
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1979–84

CSL 86ers Era (1986–1992)

[32] [33]

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1987 Home
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1987 Away
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1988 Home
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1991 Home
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1991 Away

APSL/A–League 86ers Era (1993–2000)

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1993–94 Home
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1993–94 Away
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1996 Home [34]
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1997 Home [35] [36]

A–League/USL–1 Whitecaps Era (2001–2010)

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2001–02 Home
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2003 Home
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2004–06 Home

MLS Era (2011–)

Home, away, and third kits.

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2011–12
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2013–14
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2015–16
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2017–18
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2019–20
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2021–22
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2023–
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2011–13
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2014–15
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2016–17
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2018–19
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2020–21
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2022–
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2012–2013

Season results

Key

Key to competitions

Seasons

Season League Position Playoffs CC Continental / Other Average
attendance
Top goalscorer(s)
DivLeaguePldWLDGFGAGDPtsPPGConf.OverallNameGoals
1974 1 NASL 2051142931–2190.954th12thDNQIneligible10,098 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Brian Gant [39] 6
1975 NASL 22111103828+10331.504th11th7,579 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Glen Johnson [40] 8
1976 NASL 24141003830+8421.754th9th R1 8,6553 players tied [41] 5
1977 NASL 26141204336+7421.624th7th R1 11,897 Flag of England.svg Derek Possee [42] 11
1978 NASL 3024606829+39722.402nd2nd QF 15,736 Flag of England.svg Kevin Hector [43] 21
1979 NASL 30201005434+20602.003rd4th W 22,962 Flag of England.svg Kevin Hector [44] 15
1980 NASL 32161605247+5481.507th14th R1 26,834 Flag of England.svg Trevor Whymark [45] 15
1981 NASL 32211107443+31631.971st3rd R1 23,236 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Carl Valentine [46] 10
1982 NASL 32201205848+10601.883rd5th QF 18,254 Flag of England.svg Ray Hankin [47] 11
1983 NASL 3024606334+29722.401st2nd QF 29,166 Flag of England.svg David Cross [48] 19
1984 NASL 24131105148+3391.632nd4th SF 15,190 Flag of England.svg Peter Ward [49] 16
1985No club existed
1986
1987 1 CSL 209833727+10301.502nd4th SF Ineligible5,993 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [50] 12
1988 CSL 2821168430+54692.461st1st W Western Soccer Alliance 3–3 [n 1] 4,919 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg John Catliff [51]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [52]
22
1989 CSL 2618266533+32602.311st1st W Ineligible4,572 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [52] 12
1990 CSL 2617636926+43542.081st1st W North American Club Championship W 4,218 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg John Catliff [7] 19
1991 CSL 2820446931+38642.29N/A1st W Ineligible6,347 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [53] 26
1992 CSL 2011634228+14361.801st RU CONCACAF Champions' Cup R1 [n 2] 4,344 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg John Catliff
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dale Mitchell [54]
6
Professional Cup R1
1993 2 APSL 2415904335+8451.881st SF Ineligible4,866 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [55] 11
1994 APSL 2071302541–16211.056thDNQ4,742 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [56] 7
1995 A-League 241014043430301.253rd SF 4,493 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Giuliano Oliviero [57] 9
1996 A-League 271314038380391.445thDNQ4,068 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [58] 14
1997 A-League 28161205029+21481.713rd6th SF 3,558 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio [59] 22
1998 A-League 28151305542+13451.614th15th R1 4,185 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Jordan [60] 8
1999 A-League 2819907731+46572.043rd4th R1 4,559 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Niall Thompson [61] 20
2000 A-League 28141136241+21451.615th9th QF 3,959 Flag of England.svg Darren Tilley [62] 12
2001 A-League 2616824433+11501.921st4th SF 5,542 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Jordan [63] 9
2002 A-League 28111254139+2381.365th10th SF 3,769 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Jordan [64] 9
2003 A-League 2815674524+21521.864th5th QF 4,292 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ollie Heald
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Jordan [65]
9
2004 A-League 2814953829+9471.682nd6th SF 4,833 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Jordan [66] 7
2005 USL-1 2812793721+16451.61N/A3rd QF 5,086 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jason Jordan [67] 17
2006 USL-1 28126104028+12461.644th W 5,085 Flag of the United States.svg Joey Gjertsen [68] 12
2007 USL-1 2897122724+3391.397th QF 5,162 Flag of Cuba.svg Eduardo Sebrango [69] 7
2008 USL-1 3015783428+6531.772nd W 3rd DNQ4,999 Flag of Cuba.svg Eduardo Sebrango [70] 16
2009 USL-1 30111094236+6421.407th RU RU 5,312 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Charles Gbeke [71] 13
2010 D2 Pro 30105153222+10451.502nd5th SF RU 5,152 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Martin Nash [72] 5
2011 1 MLS 34618103555–20280.829th18thDNQ RU 20,412 Flag of Brazil.svg Camilo Sanvezzo [73] 13
2012 MLS 341113103541–6431.265th11th R1 RU 19,475 Flag of Jamaica.svg Darren Mattocks 8
2013 MLS 34131295345+8481.417th13thDNQ RU 20,038 Flag of Brazil.svg Camilo Sanvezzo 25
2014 MLS 34128144240+2501.475th9th R1 SF 20,408 Flag of Chile.svg Pedro Morales 9
2015 MLS 34161354536+9531.562nd3rd QF W CONCACAF Champions League GS 20,507 Flag of Uruguay.svg Octavio Rivero [74] 10
2016 MLS 34101594552–7391.158th16thDNQ RU CONCACAF Champions League SF 22,330 Flag of Chile.svg Pedro Morales 9
2017 MLS 34151275049+1521.533rd8th QF SF NH21,416 Flag of Colombia.svg Fredy Montero 15
2018 MLS 34131385467–13471.388th14thDNQ RU DNQ21,946 Flag of Sierra Leone.svg Kei Kamara 17
2019 MLS 34816103759–22341.0012th23rd R3 19,514 Flag of Colombia.svg Fredy Montero 8
2020 MLS 2391402744–17271.179th17th DNQ MLS is Back Tournament R1 22,120 [n 3] Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lucas Cavallini 6
2021 MLS 341291345450491.446th12th R1 R1 DNQ12,492 [n 4] Flag of Colombia.svg Cristian Dájome
Flag of the United States.svg Brian White
12
2022 MLS 34121574057-17431.269th17thDNQ W 18,643 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lucas Cavallini 9
2023 MLS 341210125548+7481.416th13th R1 W CONCACAF Champions League QF 16,745 Flag of the United States.svg Brian White 19
Leagues Cup Ro32
Total137266148322822701805+46522111.61 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Domenic Mobilio 167

^ 1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.
^ 2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, MLS Cup, Canadian Championship, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches.
^ 3. Points and PPG have been adjusted from non-traditional to traditional scoring systems for seasons prior to 2003 to more effectively compare historical team performance across seasons.

  1. Vancouver played a match against each WSA team in the 1988 season. These matches did count towards the league standings for their opponents, however, Vancouver itself was not included in the league standings, and did not achieve any position. Vancouver finished with a record of 3 wins and 3 losses against WSA opponents.
  2. Despite qualifying, Vancouver withdrew from the tournament before playing in any match.
  3. Does not include home matches played in American stadiums, or matches played behind closed doors.
  4. Does not include home matches played in American stadiums.

Honours

Domestic (I)

Competition typeCompetition# of titlesYears wonYears runner-up
1st division league championship Flag of the United States.svg NASL Championship 1 1979
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CSL Championship 4 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 1992
Flag of the United States.svg MLS Cup 0
1st division regular season Flag of the United States.svg MLS Supporters' Shield 0
Domestic cup Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canadian Championship 3 2015, 2022, 2023 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018

    Total: 8 major domestic honours

    Domestic (II)

    Honour typeHonour# of titlesYears wonYears runner-up
    2nd division league championship Flag of the United States.svg APSL/A–League Championship 0
    Flag of the United States.svg USL A–League Championship 0
    Flag of the United States.svg USL–1 Championship 2 2006, 2008 2009

    Total: 2 minor domestic honours

    Other

    Cascadia Cup

    Rivalries

    The Whitecaps have two sets of rivalries being a Canadian team playing in American leagues as well as having geography and historical leagues contribute to Pacific Northwest rivalries.

    Cascadia

    Historically since the earliest days of soccer in the late 1890s BC-based teams have played at tournaments, festivals, and had exhibitions to determine the best team in the Pacific Northwest. Before the railways established links eastward, travel was south via steamship to San Francisco and then to the outside world. Even afterward until at least 1910 BC commonly looked south instead of east. Leagues such as the Pacific Coast Soccer League and most other popular sports played teams from Seattle, Portland, and even San Francisco occasionally. Even afterward there were competitions oriented north–south that top teams such as the Westminster Royals competed in. In the original NASL, the Vancouver Royals had links to the San Francisco Golden Gate Gales.

    In 1974 when the Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders joined the NASL, it is safe to assume fans were already used to travelling between the two cities to watch sporting events. There are fond reminisces about 3000–5000 Whitecaps fans drowning out Sounders fans at the Kingdome during the NASL era. There were links between staff and players between the Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps. Former teammates such as Alan Hinton or Brian Gant played for the nearest rivals. Even off the field there are similar stories; the Vancouver play-by-play radio broadcaster got the job at the last minute after the former Seattle Sounder broadcaster skipped out on Vancouver to take the job in Portland.

    The Whitecaps won a title, while the Sounders were runners up twice, and Timbers runners up once. The three teams ended each other's seasons five times in the eleven years the Whitecaps played in the league. The Whitecaps first two playoff appearances were both 1–0 losses to the Seattle Sounders in 1976 and 1977. In 1978 the Whitecaps would lose to the Portland Timbers in the playoff semi-finals.

    The three clubs played exhibition matches after the NASL folded in the Western Soccer Alliance and in 1994 the Seattle Sounders and Whitecaps (as the 86ers) were both in the A-League (1995–2004). The Portland Timbers joined the A League in 2001. They eliminated each other in the playoffs five times in the A League. From 2005 – 2009, the league was named USL-1 or USL First Division. The Whitecaps and Sounders were the two most dominant teams in USL-1 with two championships each. The three teams eliminated each other in the USL-1 playoffs four times. In all the years of division 2 soccer since 1996, the Whitecaps have been the dominant team with 1.55 points per game while the Sounders earned 1.54, and Timbers 1.47 points per game. The Sounders have 4 championships to the Whitecaps 2.

    The supporters groups of the teams created the Cascadia Cup in 2004. As of 2013, each team has won the cup three times each over the nine years of the cup's existence.

    Canadian Teams

    The Toronto Blizzard (original NASL) were runners-up twice and Toronto Metros-Croatia won the Soccer Bowl. Vancouver Whitecaps' first playoff win was against the Toronto Metros-Croatia August 9, 1978 in front of 30,811 at Empire Stadium (at the time the largest crowd to see two Canadian teams play against each other). [75] The Toronto Metros-Croatia team felt the goalkeeper was interfered with on the second goal and planned to protest the result even having lost 4–0. The Toronto Blizzard gained revenge by eliminating Vancouver in the 1983 NASL Quarterfinals when Vancouver had a dominant season finishing second overall in the league and most significantly Vancouver was host to Soccer Bowl '83.

    Division 2 Toronto-based teams have generally not been as strong as Montreal and Vancouver. Generally Vancouver Whitecaps teams have dominated Toronto-based teams, especially in the CSL and US-based D2 leagues. When Montreal and Vancouver were in the USSF Division 2 and USL-1 playing Toronto FC in the Voyageurs Cup, the rivalry had greater meaning for Vancouver as it was the chance to prove themselves in a meaningful game against competition that was higher level only by fiat.

    The rivalry against Montreal is another matter. In the original Canadian Soccer League (1987–92) with the 86ers head coach, Bob Lenarduzzi, taking on the Canadian Men's National Team management, many of the players for the Montreal Supra took umbrage at not being called up for the national team and there was a "real hatred" between the players. [76] Most of those players joined the debuting Montreal Impact of the APSL when the CSL folded. Former players remember trips such as one in 1996 when fire alarms were pulled at 2 am and training facilities were not made available when promised, plus other antics. Montreal Impact also won the first seven Voyageurs Cup competitions.

    Significant matches between the two clubs include several league playoffs and Voyageurs Cups. During the late 2000s both clubs were strong and with two new additional matches against each other through the Canadian Championship familiarity brought discord. Several players moved between the two teams for financial reasons such as Eduardo Sebrango and red cards became common occurrences. In the 2006 USL-1 playoff semifinals the Whitecaps outplayed the Impact in the first leg at Vancouver's Swanguard Stadium, however both legs including the second hosted by Montreal finished 0–0. After extra-time, the Whitecaps defeated the Impact 2–0. The Whitecaps and Impact also faced-off in the USL-1 playoff finals in 2008 and 2009. While the Impact won the first leg hosted in Montreal 1–0, they lost the 2008 semifinal after the Whitecaps won the second leg at Swangard 2–0. The most controversial game between the two clubs was in 2009.

    2009 Montreal Controversy

    On June 18, 2009 the Impact fielded a weak squad in their Voyageurs Cup game against Toronto FC, since they were no longer in contention for the cup. They lost the game 6–1, allowing TFC to win the cup over Vancouver on goal difference. Coach Marc Dos Santos was resting key players for the league match against Vancouver two days later. This result was used to convince the Canadian Soccer Association to change the Canadian Championship format. [77] Two days later Montreal Impact won their USL-1 league game against Vancouver 2–1 . The Montreal Ultras protested against the Impact's management's unsportsmanlike behaviour by boycotting first half. [78] In the final standings the extra 3 points Montreal got against Vancouver was the difference between 5th and 7th place, giving the Montreal Impact home advantage over the Whitecaps in the final, playing the second of the two leg playoff at home. Montreal Impact won the league playoff final's second leg 3–1 at home, and won the USL-1 Championship 6–3 on aggregate. The Whitecaps have players sent off in both legs. [79] [80]

    List of players

    All-time rosters

    Captains

    NameNationalityYearsRef.
    Willie Stevenson Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO 1974 [81]
    Sam Lenarduzzi Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1974–1975 [81]
    Bruce Wilson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1976–1977 [81] [82]
    Jon Sammels Flag of England.svg  ENG 1978
    John Craven Flag of England.svg  ENG 1979–1980 [81] [83]
    Alan Ball, Jr. Flag of England.svg  ENG 1980 [81]
    Terry Yorath Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL 1981–1982 [81]
    Peter Lorimer Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO 1983
    Bob Lenarduzzi Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1984 [81]
    Shaun LowtherFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1987
    John Catliff Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1988–1993
    Ivor Evans Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 1994
    Rick Celebrini Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1994–1995
    Steve MacDonald Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1996–1998
    Paul Dailly Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1999–2000
    Kevin Holness Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2001
    Paul Dailly Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2002–2003
    Alfredo Valente Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2004
    Jeff Clarke Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2005–2008
    Adrian Cann Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2008
    Martin Nash Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2008–2010
    Jay DeMerit Flag of the United States.svg  USA 2011–2014 [84]
    Pedro Morales Flag of Chile.svg  CHI 2014–2016
    David Ousted Flag of Denmark.svg  DEN 2016–2017
    Kendall Waston Flag of Costa Rica.svg  CRC 2017–2018
    Jon Erice Flag of Spain.svg  ESP 2019
    Russell Teibert Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2020-

    DeMerit was injured in the 2013 season-opening match and only played in eight games. [85] Various players have filled-in as captain match-by-match.

    All-time goal scorers

    As of March 14, 2014[ citation needed ]
    RankPlayerNationalityGoals
    1 Domenic Mobilio Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 170
    2 John Catliff Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 79
    3 Jason Jordan Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 78
    4 Carl Valentine Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 65
    5 Dale Mitchell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 49
    6 Ivor Evans Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 47
    7 Eduardo Sebrango Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 45
    8 Camilo Sanvezzo Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 43
    9 Kevin Hector Flag of England.svg  ENG 40
    10 Oliver Heald Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 39
    11 Steve Kindel Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 36
    12 Alfredo Valente Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 35
    13 Bob Lenarduzzi Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 34
    13 Doug Muirhead Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 34
    15 Ray Hankin Flag of England.svg  ENG 33
    16 Martin Nash Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 31
    17 John Sulentic Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 30
    18 Peter Beardsley Flag of England.svg  ENG 29
    18 Paul Dailly Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 29
    18 Trevor Whymark Flag of England.svg  ENG 29
    21 Niall Thompson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 27

    Note: NASL, CSL, APSL, A-League, USL-1, USSF D-2, and MLS
    (Regular Season, Playoffs, North American Club Championship, and Canadian Championship)

    All-time appearances

    As of March 14, 2014[ citation needed ]
    RankPlayerNationalityAppearances
    1 Carl Valentine Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 409
    2 Bob Lenarduzzi Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 362
    3 Steve Macdonald Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 320
    4 Steve Kindel Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 287
    5 Domenic Mobilio Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 286
    6 Martin Nash Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 285
    7 Alfredo Valente Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 271
    8 Jason Jordan Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 257
    9 Doug Muirhead Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 233
    10 Paul Dolan Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 223
    11 Ivor Evans Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 221
    12 Jeff Clarke Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 202
    13 Chris Franks Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 201
    14 David Morris Flag of the United States.svg  USA 200
    15 Geordie Lyall Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 193
    16 Paul Dailly Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 187
    17 Oliver Heald Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 186
    18 David Norman Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 171
    19 John Catliff Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 147
    20 Doug McKinty Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 137
    21 Jeff Skinner Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 128
    22 Jay Nolly Flag of the United States.svg  USA 126
    23 Dale Mitchell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 121
    24 Guido Titotto Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 118
    25 John Sulentic Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 115
    26 Nico Berg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 112
    26 Jamie Lowery Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 112
    27 Nick Dasovic Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 106
    28 Jim Easton Jr. Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 102
    28 Camilo Sanvezzo Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA 102
    30 Shaun Lowther Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 99
    30 Gershon Koffie Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA 99

    Note: NASL, CSL, APSL, A-League, USL-1, USSF D-2, and MLS
    (Regular Season, Playoffs, North American Club Championship, and Canadian Championship)

    Head coaches

    NASL
    NameNationalityYearsRef.
    Jim Easton Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1974–1975 [86]
    Eckhard Krautzun Flag of Germany.svg  GER 1976–1977 [86]
    Holger Osieck Flag of Germany.svg  GER 1977 [86]
    Tony Waiters Flag of England.svg  ENG 1977–1979, 1980 [87]
    Bob McNab Flag of England.svg  ENG 1980
    Johnny Giles Flag of Ireland.svg  IRE 1981–1983
    Alan Hinton Flag of England.svg  ENG 1984
    CSL / APSL / A-League / USL-1 / USSF-D2
    NameNationalityYearsRef.
    Bob Lenarduzzi Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 1987–1993
    Carl Valentine Flag of England.svg  ENG 1994–1999
    Dale Mitchell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2000–2001
    Tony FonescaFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2002–2004
    Bob Lilley Flag of the United States.svg  USA 2005–2007
    Teitur Thordarson Flag of Iceland.svg  ISL 2008–2010 [88]
    MLS team
    NameNationalityYearsRef.
    Teitur Thordarson Flag of Iceland.svg  ISL 2011 [88]
    Tom Soehn Flag of the United States.svg  USA 2011
    Martin Rennie Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO 2012–2013 [89]
    Carl Robinson Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL 2014–2018 [90]
    Marc Dos Santos Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN 2019–2021
    Vanni Sartini Flag of Italy.svg  ITA 2021–present

    Vancouver Whitecaps Ring of Honour

    The Vancouver Whitecaps Ring of Honour was established for the club's 40th anniversary to acknowledge the accomplishments of several notable Whitecaps players and coaches. [91] Players and coaches from any of the three Vancouver Whitecaps iterations, as well as the women's Vancouver Whitecaps FC are eligible to be inducted. As of 2023, the club has inducted 5 people to the Ring of Honour. [92]

    Ring of Honour inductees
    MemberNationalityPositionYears with clubDate of inductionRef.
    Bob Lenarduzzi Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Player1974–1984, 1987–1988May 3, 2014
    Coach1987–1993
    Andrea Neil Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Player2001–2006August 10, 2014
    Carl Valentine Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN [lower-alpha 1] Player1979–1984, 1987–1999September 10, 2014
    Coach1994–1999
    Domenic Mobilio Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Player1987–2000October 4, 2014
    Tony Waiters Flag of England.svg  ENG Coach1977–1979May 31, 2019

    – Inducted posthumously

    Notes

    1. Born in England. Became a Canadian citizen in 1983.

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