FriendsOfSoccer Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 In 1979, a simple soccer team and a famous sportscaster's slip of the tongue, brought Vancouver together like never before. In the buildup to ABC's coverage of the '79 NASL Soccer Bowl, the legendary Jim McKay innocently referred to Vancouver as a “deserted village”. When the Whitecaps returned home as Champions of the North American Soccer League, over a hundred thousand Vancouverites took to the streets in joy and made the word “Villager” a badge of honour. Vancouver had never celebrated anything with such unity and passion before. Nor has it since. March 18, 2009 is a great day in history for both soccer and our city. Today's announcement that the Vancouver Whitecaps will become a member of Major League Soccer in 2011 is the fantastic result of almost seven years of hard work and vision by Greg Kerfoot, Bob Lenarduzzi, Rachel Lewis and the entire Whitecaps organization. The B.C. soccer community and the citizens of Vancouver owe them a great debt of gratitude and heartfelt congratulations for their achievement. More than ever before, soccer has become the international language of the world, and Vancouver can now reclaim its top tier place in the game's global community. Famous soccer clubs from the great cities of the world will once again make their way to Vancouver on a regular basis, and the Whitecaps name will become synonomous with our city throughout the globe. The soccer culture that has always existed in Vancouver & B.C. will flourish like never before, and our children will be able to grow up knowing that the soccer they play is much more than a "foreign" game. The news that Vancouver is once again back at the top level of North American soccer will also bring tremendous benefits to our city for generations to come. The culture of traveling support that exists in MLS will fill thousands of hotel rooms, and bring new jobs and millions of dollars into our local economy at a time when we need it most. The tens of thousands of new patrons that will descend into the City Centre will help relieve some of the pressures felt by small businesses in Downtown, Chinatown, and Gastown. Vancouver can expect to reap the economic benefits of MLS for decades to come. But more important is soccer's ability to unite people from all different walks of life. Today, the Whitecaps are giving Vancouver one of its first truly multicultural institutions that's inclusive, accessible and comfortable for people of all cultures, races and backgrounds. It's a fine legacy for an organization that has given so much of its time, effort and resources to communities throughout B.C. & Western Canada. Soccer in Vancouver, B.C. and all of Canada is stronger today than it was yesterday. But it is still a work in progress. For Canada to continue its progress, we need more solid clubs. We need fewer petty territorial squabbles. We need to accept a soccer culture that builds professional excellence. And we need real soccer infrastructure in our country, such as stadiums. But today is for celebrating the deserved achievements of the Vancouver Whitecaps. It's a chance to look back on all of the good a simple soccer club has done for this city over almost 35 years. And it's a dare to dream about what might be possible in the years ahead. Today, Vancouver is a “Village” once again. Yours in Sport, Bill Currie http://www.friendsofsoccer.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 WONDEFULLY WRITTEN. Congratulations villagers...LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamptern Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 What an article! Kodos to Greg Kerfoot and Steve Nash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 "the legendary Jim McKay"?? More like the infamous Jim McKay. He never lived that one down. On his tombstone it says "Here Lies Jim "Village of Vancouver" McKay. I still remember when the players got back and one of them said "hello everyone, we just got back from the village of New York". Oh and thanks a lot for all your work over the years. Now about that waterfront stadium! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph "the legendary Jim McKay"?? More like the infamous Jim McKay. He never lived that one down. On his tombstone it says "Here Lies Jim "Village of Vancouver" McKay. Though I said tongue-in-cheek in another thread that he was probably rolling in his grave about the Whitecaps in MLS, I'm guessing that more likely he didn't lose any sleep over his comments. The last thing the NASL and ABC wanted was the Whitecaps to win the Soccer Bowl, but perhaps my recollection and interpretation of those 30 year old events are somewhat jaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Excellent work to the real Bill. Keep on them about the stadium. Guess I'll have to get to know tmcmurph better and car pool to a few games (or more) from the frozen (but thawing) tundra to lotusland. For me it's a natural being BC born and raised. I still remember Kevin Hector's goal at Empire Stadium in the playoffs against the Cosmos on the first home game I think BCTV ever aired live. That I remember 79 used to be a sad thing until today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Andrew W For me it's a natural being BC born and raised. I still remember Kevin Hector's goal at Empire Stadium in the playoffs against the Cosmos on the first home game I think BCTV ever aired live. I vaguely remember that game. Pascal on the play by play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 quote:Originally posted by BearcatSA I vaguely remember that game. Pascal on the play by play? I believe so, although that's kind of vague. Actually, on the intro video the team had during the presser today, it was amongst the footage IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john tv Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I don't have the excact numbers but the vast majority that are in the Soccer Hall Of Fame are from B.C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Schaad Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Andrew W I believe so, although that's kind of vague. Actually, on the intro video the team had during the presser today, it was amongst the footage IIRC. I think it might have been McKeach for that one. John did lots of Whitecaps play-by-play back in the day. What an amazing day. I got goose bumps when they played the video. We are very very lucky that in 2002 one Greg Kerfoot fell out of the sky with a vision...otherwise we wouldn't be discussing 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Schaad Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Andrew W I believe so, although that's kind of vague. Actually, on the intro video the team had during the presser today, it was amongst the footage IIRC. I think it might have been McKeach for that one. John did lots of Whitecaps play-by-play back in the day. What an amazing day. I got goose bumps when they played the video. We are very very lucky that in 2002 one Greg Kerfoot fell out of the sky with a vision...otherwise we wouldn't be discussing 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kungfucultmaster Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Congrats to Vancouver and Evil Bert! The most badass supporters around! ROFLMAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest speedmonk42 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I was wondering when that would find this forum. Please southsiders. Do something. Make a photo of you burning that doll and duct tape the guy to a tree. You must do something to redeem yourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosehead Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Its fantastic that they have invested so much in soccer. I cannot get that excited though, no waterfront stadium until 2016, playing on fieldturf in a stad with upper tier filled in. Seems like the standard old compromise and not doing it right from the beginning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 ^ So what would you suggest the WHitecaps do, NOT bid for an MLS team until the Port AUthority finally sees the light over the land swap that is the only thing holding up Waterfornt Stadium? Personally I am happy to compromise with the refitted BC Place which looks marvellous as a temporary home, and a team in MLS from 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownbear Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Richard ^ So what would you suggest the WHitecaps do, NOT bid for an MLS team until the Port AUthority finally sees the light over the land swap that is the only thing holding up Waterfornt Stadium? Personally I am happy to compromise with the refitted BC Place which looks marvellous as a temporary home, and a team in MLS from 2011. While I agree with your response to Moosehead, you misread the complex nature of the proposed Waterfront Stadium situation. A land swap is most certainly not "the only thing holding up [the] waterfront stadium." As much as I want this to happen, I honestly do not see a stadium being built there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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