With single match tickets now on sale, we take a look at a few home matches you certainly won’t want to miss in 2016.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6 VS. MONTREAL IMPACT
It’s the season opener. And it’s against a longtime Canadian rival.
That will make this one of the most anticipated matches of the year – not to mention the fact that Montreal's roster includes Didier Drogba, who by the way has joined the Impact camp in preparation for the season opener.
You can bet BC Place will be absolutely buzzing. And you can bet Kendall Waston will be chomping at the bit to go head-to-head with the longtime Chelsea striker.
Going into last year’s home opener (a 3-1 loss to Toronto FC), the ‘Caps were undefeated in 13 straight home openers dating back to 2002.
Can they start a new streak on March 6?
SATURDAY, APRIL 2 VS. LA GALAXY
This will be LA’s lone visit to BC Place in the regular season.
They’re no longer the defending champs, but they’re still always considered one of the teams to beat in MLS. That’s what happens when you have five MLS Cups to your name.
Whitecaps FC beat the Galaxy twice last year, including a dominant 2-0 win at BC Place, but that was before they acquired longtime Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and Mexican star Giovani dos Santos.
Will the young ‘Caps outshine the star-studded Galaxy again in 2016?
SATURDAY, MAY 7 (AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23) VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS
No brainer here.
Not only are Portland one of Vancouver’s fiercest and oldest rivals, and their expansion cousins in MLS, they’re also now the defending champions. And they beat Whitecaps FC in the Western Conference Semifinal en route to their first-ever MLS Cup.
You think the ‘Caps – and their supporters – have forgotten that?
Fat chance.
The October 23 match falls on the final day of the 2016 MLS regular season. Something tells me there will be a lot riding on that one.
SATURDAY, JULY 16 VS. ORLANDO CITY SC
It was quite the spectacle when expansion side New York City FC descended upon BC Place in 2015, and we should expect nothing less when Orlando City SC and 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka come to town for the first time on July 16.
MLSsoccer.com analyst Matt Doyle also listed this game as one of his 10 matches to watch this year because it features two of the league’s brightest young stars in ‘Caps winger Kekuta Manneh and Orlando striker Cyle Larin – a native of Brampton, Ontario.
In last year’s meeting at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, the ‘Caps won 1-0 thanks to a diving, stoppage-time header by Octavio Rivero.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 VS. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
This will be Vancouver’s first Friday home match in the MLS era.
And it will take place in the summer months. Not sure I need more convincing than that.
If you do, though, consider this: the ‘Caps have won six straight matches against San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place. And they’ve scored a combined eight goals in their last three.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
It’s always fun when Seattle comes to town.
After all, they’re Vancouver’s oldest and closest rival. And this will be their lone visit in 2016 – barring a playoff meeting, of course. Last year, Seattle won both their visits to BC Place, which will only add more intrigue to this October 2 fixture.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit
whitecapsfc.com/tickets
.
