SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – After several years of near misses and occasional heartbreak along the way, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have clinched their first appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League.
With the Canadian Championship being pushed back in the soccer calendar until the summer, beginning in 2015, the Canadian Soccer Association changed the qualification criteria into the 2015/16 Champions League for one year only, with the highest-placed MLS side automatically becoming Canada's representative.
Having finished behind Toronto FC (four times) and Montreal Impact (three times) since the expanded Champions League began in 2008/09 and allotted one entry to Canada, Vancouver now have an unassailable lead in the MLS standings over Toronto, giving the 'Caps a historic moment to cherish.
"[It’s] very important to the club," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson told reporters after the club's 0-0 draw against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. "We’ve never done it, so it was important that we tried to do that, and we have done that. [It's] more games. Scheduling will be a nightmare for us, no doubt. Four Champions League games minimum, then we’re talking about the Canadian Championship games as well. So there’s definitely going to be six, maybe eight games."
"It’s great for my young players," he continued. "I want to develop more young players. I’ve got a talented young group, and it’ll give them opportunities. It’s great for the club and the organization to be in the Champions League, because only [four or five MLS] teams get involved in that each year, and we’re delighted for next year."
One of those young players, midfielder Russell Teibert, has been part of the 'Caps since 2008 and has experienced first-hand how close Vancouver have come to qualifying for the competition before, from the club's Division 2 days right through to this season. After those disappointments, the 21-year-old Canadian is excited by the prospect of the club's first Champions League campaign next fall and the opportunities it provides.
"I think it helps you grow, for sure," said Teibert. "It’s massive for us, not only for myself, but for the club and the entire organization. From top to bottom, everybody is thrilled, and they’re going to be excited for next season. Those Champions League games are new for us, and it’s going to be very exciting to play against all those different teams. It’s going to be a challenge, and we’ve been taking on challenges all year long, and we’ll have to do that next year as well."
While Robinson may view the Champions League games as an opportunity to get some of his younger players invaluable experience, they might have a battle on their hands from some of the senior players keen to experience the club's first international soccer foray.
"It’s a big opportunity for us and me, personally," goalkeeper David Ousted. "I’m gong to enjoy it so much. It’s a new experience, going abroad, going to new places to play and seeing all that. That’s tremendous, and we’re really happy. It’s nice having that and the Cascadia Cup. It’s turning out that it could be a good season."
And they hope it will get even better this weekend with a playoff berth on the line.
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