Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place
The Pacific Northwest is a hotbed for MLS soccer fandom, and Vancouver is no exception. Like their Western Conference rivals in Seattle and Portland, the Whitecaps elicit passionate devotion from the locals at BC Place.
The Whitecaps play a compact style that flies crosses into the box, thrilling their fans with aerial prowess. Settle in for a night of hot soccer and fire chants emanating from the supporters' section, led by passionate fan groups -- the Southsiders, Rain City Brigade, and Curva Collective.
Vancouver Whitecaps History
The Whitecaps may have only joined MLS in 2011 (alongside the Portland Timbers), but the team has a long history in Vancouver. The team first came into play back in 1974, where they were competing in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. The team won its only NASL title in 1979, defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Soccer Bowl.
When the NASL folded in 1985, the Whitecaps moved to the Canadian Soccer League as the 86ers, in honor of the 1986 World Cup. It was there that they had the most success, winning the CSL championship four straight years between 1988 and 1991. The team would remain the 86ers until 2000, when they brought back the Whitecaps name as part of the A-League, which would later become the United Soccer League (USL).
Finally, on March 18, 2009, the Whitecaps were introduced as the newest franchise in MLS, where they would keep the Whitecaps name as part of the United States' top division.
