Whitecaps Transfer Window - Who's in and Who's out?

The Whitecaps Organization and Coach Rennie have been very busy in the last few weeks or so.  The transfer window is about to close in three days and deals were made that have kind of shocked most loyal Whitecaps fans.  The reasoning for all the the moves was to make the Whitecaps a stronger team so they will go far into the playoffs.  Last year the 'Caps were in last place in the league.  This year, they have a legitamate shot at the playoffs currently holding the third spot in the Western Division.

So, lets go over who's in and who's out.  First of all, who's out.  Davide Chiumiento, Sebatian Le Toux and fan favorite, Eric Hassli.  Who's in: Barry Robson, Dane Richards and Kenny Miller.  Lets take a closer look at the transfer window dealings and wheelings and get to know our new players a little better.

First one to go was Davide Chiumiento.  He was a our highly talented and skilled play maker.  Unfortunately, he was used as a substitute for most of the matches this year.  But when he was on the pitch, it was great to see him play.  Davide really missed his family and was very happy to be sent back. He was sent to back to play for Zurich FC to be closer to his family.  We all wish Davide luck in his future endeavors.

Enter Barry Robson.  The first of three players to arrive to the Whitecaps in the transfer window.  I guess every team needs a red head.  Canucks have the Sedins, BC Lions have Lulay and we have Robson.

Wears #14

• Current Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Height: 5' 11"
• Weight: 165 lbs.
• Birth Date: 11-07-1978
• Birthplace: Inverurie, Scotland 

He was introduced to the fans at the the June 21 match out at the Bell Box Autograph Session.  The Southsiders welcomed Barry Robson with open arms. Barry Robson press conference to follow.

This was his first goal as a Whitecaps.  He scored his second goal last match vs. San Jose Earthquakes on a penalty kick.

Needless to say, I like him.  I think he's brought something to the team that was missing for a long time.  I'm excited we get to see a former UEFA player on our team who chose to sign with the Vancouver Whitecaps.  I know the matches are going to be just amazing to watch from now on.

Next up, Sebastien Le Toux gets sent to the New York Red Bulls for the Jamaican born Striker, Dane Richards.  Richards has already showed the fans of Vancouver what an asset he already is! 

Wears # 20

• Current Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Height: 5' 7"
• Weight: 150 lbs.
• Birth Date: 12-14-1983
• Birthplace: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Here he is scoring his first goal as a Whitecap.  Richards provided the Whitecaps with a much needed insurance goal at the last match.

Very exciting!  Can't wait to see him play in the upcoming matches!

The next player to leave was our beloved Eric Hassli.  He was traded to Toronto FC for a international spot in 2013 and a first round draft pick in 2014. He was a fan favorite and not just with the Southsiders.  When I heard the news on Friday night, I was shocked.  The Southsiders chanted Eric Hassli's name at the 29th mark minute of the match to honor their favorite player before he left for Toronto.  Eric Hassli was supposed to be at the match to witness this as he doesn't leave for Toronto until Wednesday but his wife was sick and he watched the match from home.  I loved him for his spirit and for his love for his fans.  He really was the kindest, sweetest player on the Whitecaps.  Hopefully he will be able to play more with Toronto FC...I just hope it doesn't come back to bite us in the butt.

Our third new player to join the team was Kenny Miller who was brought in from Cardiff City FC in the English League Championship.  All you need to know is the man can score goals.  187 goals in 547 matches!  His first match for the Whitecaps was last game on Sunday.  He was a scoring threat and a crowd pleaser.  Everyone is happy to have Miller on our team.  He can only improve what we already have.

Wears #7

• Current Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Height: 5' 10"
• Weight: 150 lbs.
• Birth Date: 12-23-1979
• Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland

Here are the Southsiders welcoming Kenny Miller to the match on his first appearance in a Whitecaps Jersey..  "Super, Super Ken!"

If last match was any indication, the rest of the matches at BC Place are going to be insane!!  I can't wait to get to the next match next month.  I'm so lucky to be part of the Whitecaps family and to be able to witness this.  So, now you all know the new boys on our team and I learned a bit more about them as well.  

All the information on here about the players were taken from the Vancouver Whitecaps website. 

Vancouver Whitecaps are in the ACC Finals!

Also known as the former Nutri-Lite Championships.  The Amway Canadian Championships kicked off on May 2nd with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs FC Edmonton in Commonwealth Stadium.  The second-tier team was unable to hold off the more experienced and star laden MLS team to a 2-0 loss.  Eric Hassli scored one of the goals followed by Atiba Harris for the second.

So, the Albertan team came into BC Place last night looking to even things up.  Although Edmonton FC came out strong in the first half and for most of the second leading by a goal, our Whitecaps came out victorious with a 3-1 win.  Sebastien Le Toux opened the scoring for the Whitecaps taking a pass from Davide Chiumento and then headed in another from a corner kick.  The third goal came during the three minute added time from the Jamaican born  Darren Mattocks!  The Vancouver Whitecaps defeated  FC Edmonton  in a 5-1 aggregate score and are now headed to a 2 game match with Toronto FC for the Voyagers Cup title.  The first game is scheduled at BC Place on May 16th at 7pm.  Then they will head to Toronto to play the second match on BMO Field on May 23rd.

This being a weekday and a late game, I didn't have a lot of people come out to volunteer on my team.  I was short-handed at every gate but we were able to make do with what we had to work with.  The fans were great and the players really appreciated the support.  This is the Whitecaps 5th win in a row and want to keep that trend going.  Come out and support your Vancouver Whitecaps!

First match vs FC Edmonton

Second match vs FC Edmonton

Hump Day Hottie! - Eric Hassli

Taken by Sven Thomann

Eric Hassli has landed as the Hump Day Hottie after scoring that amazing goal in the dying second of overtime against the San Jose Earthquakes.  If you were in the building, you knew how electric that goal was and watching the fans leave with happy faces because of that moment, was great to see.  The Southsiders have always been his biggest supporters as are the new fans of MLS that come to watch every game.  Eric Hassli appreciates playing in Vancouver for Vancouver and its fans and you could tell that he was humbled by the chants of "Eric Hassli" clap clap clap-clap-clap!  So he is your Hump Day Hottie.

Profile

• No. 29
• Position: Forward
• Current Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Height: 6' 4"
• Weight: 200 lbs.
• Birth Date: 05-03-1981
• Birthplace: Sarreguemines, France 

Follow him on Twitter: @liam2929

Watch his goal from the match on Saturday.

Athletes in Halloween Costumes

Bored...so decided to post pics of our athletes dressed up on Halloween.  Enjoy!

Brendan Morrison as LMFAO!

Fin-ana!

Kevin Bieksa as an Elf

Ryan Kesler as Sylvester the Cat

Eric Hassli as a Pirate

Raffi Torres as Jay-Z

Alex Morfaw and other Whitecaps players

Steve Pinizzotto as Brian Wilson

Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle as the Green Men

Mike Modano as LMFAO!!

Hope you enjoyed them!! I thought the last one was the scariest though! :)

We Love You Long Tan

I was at Bell Pitch downtown tonight for the second to last game of the season where the Vancouver Whitecaps pulled off their very first back-to-back win of the season!  Thats right folks, the 'Caps won another one tonight with a score of 2-1 against DC United who were hoping to come out of this with an easy win to gain a playoff spot.  However, the Caps weren't so willing to give up this win.  The crowds were still coming in thru the doors when the first Whitecaps goal was scored by Camillo.  Thats another reason i'm glad there are TV screens up at the Gate entrances.

I was positioned at Gate A again with my volunteer partner of  3 yrs, Margo.   Together with a few Langara College interns, we gave out programs and answered questions and helped people find their way to their seats.  I met more of my Season Ticket holder families from our Swangard days and they were even saying it was like our family was reunited again!  It certainly did feel like it.

Bobby Lenarduzzi was signing autographs for his new book "A Canadian Soccer Story" on the second level and vowed to stay and autograph until the last person in line was done.  Gotta love him.

For the second half of the match, the volunteers and I went and sat in our area below the media box between Sections 204-207.  The roof was open again tonight and thank god it didn't rain.  It was extremely chilly inside however but the view of the moon right above the open roof with dark clouds shadowing it at times was beautiful to see thru the sparkling lights.  We stayed there with the Whitecaps Youth Team around us.  They get to come in and watch the games for free if they have their passes with them.  Great bunch of young guys.  The best goal of the night was obviously when Long Tan scored the second goal and what also was the winning goal of the night.  DC United came back with a goal but it was too late.

Eric Hassli substituted Long Tan towards the end of the game to a standing ovation in appreciation for Long Tan.  Then the cheers for Eric Hassli started ringing out from the Southsiders corner.  He is obviously a favorite among them.  Can't blame them.  He's had some pretty amazing goals this year.  One in particular comes to mind against the Seattle Sounders.

Close to the end of the game, we all headed back to our gates to say goodbye to everyone leaving and then headed downstairs to the East Airlock to give in our reports of the day.  The people left happy and smiling. My fellow volunteer, David and I talked to one fan waiting for skytrain who was amazed they won back to back...she said that it felt like the season had just started for this young MLS team.  Hmmmmm...maybe they should have moved into BC Place sooner.  Hopefully they can earn their last win of the season on October 22nd against the Colorado Rapids.

One thing to note is that with this win, the Vancouver Whitecaps are no longer at the bottom of the MLS League.  They have surpassed the New England Revolution for the 17th spot.  Woots!!

Can't believe there's only one game left.....feeling kinda sad now.  Come out and support your Vancouver Whitecaps at their last match of the season.  I'm sure they won't disappoint.