VANCOUVER, BC – The schedule is set.
After unveiling the First Kick matchups last month, Major League Soccer released the complete 2015 regular season schedule on Wednesday - home kickoff times will be announced in the coming weeks.
Here are a few can’t-miss Vancouver Whitecaps FC home matches.
MARCH 7 VS. TORONTO FC
As announced last month, the ‘Caps will kick off the club’s fifth season in MLS by hosting Toronto FC on March 7 at BC Place (3 p.m. PT). This will be the third time in five years that Whitecaps FC start their MLS campaign against their Eastern Canadian rivals. They won both of the previous openers, 4-2 and 1-0 respectively.
Winning home openers is nothing new for the Blue and White, who are undefeated in their past 13 home openers dating back to 2002.
Can they keep the streak going against Michael Bradley and Toronto FC?
MARCH 28 VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Vancouver’s defence of the Cascadia Cup will begin on March 28, when they host longtime Pacific Northwest rival Portland Timbers at BC Place.
Last season, the ‘Caps claimed their second straight Cascadia Cup and fifth all time, which is the most of any team (Portland and Seattle each have three titles). No team has ever won the Cascadia Cup three years in a row – can Whitecaps FC become the first?
Vancouver won their first-ever match against Portland in MLS last season – a thrilling 4-3 road draw – before suffering back-to-back losses. The March 28 match will be Portland’s lone visit to BC Place in the 2015 regular season.
APRIL 4 VS. LA GALAXY
The defending MLS Cup champions will make their lone visit to BC Place on April 4.
They don’t have Landon Donovan anymore, but they still have one of the most dangerous rosters in MLS, including reigning MVP Robbie Keane – a longtime friend of Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson.
The ‘Caps lost two of their three meetings with LA last season, but earned an exciting 2-2 draw in their lone encounter at BC Place.
Whitecaps FC defeated the reigning MLS Cup Champions (Sporting Kansas City) last season. Can they do so again in 2015?
MAY 16 (AND SEPTEMBER 19) VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
For the second straight year, Seattle Sounders FC will make two trips to BC Place in 2015.
The reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winners are expected to once again be among the league’s best next season, with the likes of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins set to return.
However, Whitecaps FC have had Seattle’s number as of late, going undefeated in their last five meetings (4W-0L-1D), including a memorable 1-0 win at CenturyLink Field in October to clinch the 2014 Cascadia Cup.
AUGUST 22 (AND OCTOBER 7) VS. FC DALLAS
Fans surely haven’t forgotten the way Vancouver’s 2014 season ended – in heartbreaking and controversial fashion at the hands of FC Dallas. You can bet the ‘Caps haven’t forgotten either.
Even before that, there seemed to be a rivalry growing between the two teams. It will be interesting to see if the intensity carries over to a new season.
If it does, then buckle up.
SEPTEMBER 26 VS. NEW YORK CITY FC
Whitecaps FC will play their first-ever match against expansion club New York City FC on September 26 at BC Place – their lone meeting with NYCFC in 2015.
New York is still building out their roster, but you may have heard of their two cornerstone signings: Spanish striker David Villa and English midfielder Frank Lampard, who immediately become two of the league’s biggest stars.
You won’t want to miss this one.
You can secure your tickets to these matches by purchasing Season Tickets, Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, or a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
