Whitecaps - The End of the Empire!

Its time to say Farewell to Empire Stadium and Hello to the new "Bell Pitch" downtown. aka BC Place.  I've been with the Whitecaps since 2006 as an Usher at Swangard Stadium but I remember when the Whitecaps played at BC Place for the first time in 1983.  They used to sell out games at BC Place back in the early 80's under the NASL.  Thats 60,000 people!!  They would sell out seats under the new USL at Swangard as well with a capacity of 6,500 standing room and have managed to fill Empire Stadium consistently with  22,000 at almost every game since moving to the MLS.   That's the third highest fan attendance in the league!!!

Since moving to the MLS at Empire Field, my job has shifted to that of a Customer Service Team Member than that of an Usher as Empire has their own Ushers.  Opening day was incredible.  Our very first game against Toronto in the MLS and it was a beautiful sunny day...rain managed to hold off.  The excitement in the air was electric as I saw the familiarity of old club members I had looked after in my tunnel section at Swangard show up and hugs were exchanged and it was especially great seeing all the new faces and meeting new fans.

The small group of Southsiders who used to sit on bleachers behind the goalkeeper at Swangard were now an army of a  few hundred and made it tradition to walk from Oscar's Pub on the corner of Hastings and Boundary to the Stadium chanting and singing about their beloved team before every game.  It was like all of the sudden the city realized they had a soccer team and were excited about cheering them on!  

The Vancouver Whitecaps Players had sent out a video message a few months back talking about that very specific day as it was the one that stands out in their minds and about the phenomenal fan support they have had all year long.  

If anyone is interested in being part of the Southsiders entourage, here is their website where you can get the lastest of their cheering repertoire so you don't feel left out! Southsiders Songbook

They are playing for the Cascadia Cup today...a rivalry they have had with Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders in the USL that go back many many years. 

Hopefully our boys will go out with a win today!!  Their new home, Bell Pitch aka BC Place is awaiting their arrival on Oct 2, 2011.