Vancouver Whitecaps supporters are turning up the heat on B.C. Premier David Eby and Conservative Party leader Lorne Doerkson.
With the Oct. 24 provincial election fast approaching, the Vancouver Southsiders supporters group penned an open letter to both politicians. Needless to say, whoever wins the upcoming election will likely play a big part in the Whitecaps’ future in Vancouver.
The Whitecaps have a lease in place to play at BC Place for the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, but a resolution to keep the team in Vancouver long-term remains without a clear solution.
“The window to find a long-term solution is getting smaller,” the Southsiders said via social media, demanding answers from both provincial party leaders. “The club needs a model that gives it more opportunity to generate revenue and more flexibility in how the stadium is operated, while still protecting workers, existing partners, and the public interest.
“This is not an issue affecting a small group of supporters. More than 20,000 people regularly attend Whitecaps matches at BC Place, with many more following the club from communities across the province and beyond. They are supporters, families, workers, business owners, and voters. The club also contributes to youth sport, local businesses, and the wider community around it.”
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BC NDP Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, took over the Whitecaps file following a cabinet shuffle in August.
Offside caught up with him earlier this week for a Whitecaps update.
Dix confident Whitecaps will stay
Where do discussions between the government and the Whitecaps stand?
“I strongly believe the Whitecaps are going to stay,” Dix said. “This is a historic year. I’m a regular fan, regularly attend the games. I’ve worked and met with Mr. Schuster. I expect, as you would expect, such discussions between the government and the Whitecaps are ongoing. But I am confident that we’re going to come to a resolution that’s going to see the Whitecaps in place for a long time and that’s a good thing for everybody in Vancouver.”
There was a report in August of an agreement between the B.C. government and the Whitecaps that would see the club manage day-to-day operations at BC Place for the next five years.
Dix wasn’t ready to confirm it, though.
“There’s no confirming anything right now,” said Dix. “There are discussions between the Whitecaps and the provincial government, of course. I would expect that you would hear more about that after the election, but I would say this: we are committed to the Whitecaps staying, and we’re doing what we need to do. In the interest of BC Place, the interest of the taxpayers, the Whitecaps, fans, players, and the community that loves them, to ensure they’re here for a long time.”
Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster declined to provide comment in reaction to what Minister Dix shared.
Offside reached out to BC Conservative Party leader Lorne Doerkson, who was not available for comment.
BC Conservative MLA Peter Milobar was critical of the NDP when he spoke about the Whitecaps situation at an event on May 5.
“It can be done, and it can be done in a fair way,” Milobar said. “I’d be more than happy to sit down with you and try to see if there’s not some tangible way that we can make things work that makes sense for the overall economy of British Columbia while keeping a team here.”
When will Whitecaps playoff games be held?
The Whitecaps sit at the top of the West following a 0-0 draw at St. Louis on Wednesday.
Vancouver has 52 points from a 15-7-7 record with five matches remaining in the regular season. The Whitecaps have already clinched a playoff spot and are looking to secure home-pitch advantage.
A top-four finish in the West would earn home-pitch advantage in the first round. If they fall further down, they would start on the road. If they can hang onto first place, it would secure home-pitch advantage in subsequent rounds as well.
Whitecaps are on top of the West. (@MLS/X)
If Vancouver finishes first in the West, they would play the winner of the 8 vs. 9 wild card match. The best-of-three first-round playoff series would start the weekend of Nov. 20.
The current table shows that the Whitecaps could potentially play the LA Galaxy or Colorado Rapids depending on who wins that wild card matchup. The Seattle Sounders are also a potential playoff opponent in an 8 vs. 9 matchup, or if Vancouver slides to second spot.
The conference semifinals (Dec. 5 or 6) and finals (Dec. 11 or 12) are single-elimination matches. The MLS Cup will be played on Friday, Dec. 18.
If Vancouver advances to the MLS Cup, they could host at BC Place if they have a higher point total than the MLS Eastern Conference winner. Nashville (66 points) is currently the only club in the East with more points than Vancouver.
Müller injury update
Whitecaps superstar Thomas Müller injured his hamstring against Chicago on Oct. 6, forcing him to miss matches at LAFC and St. Louis City. The 37-year-old has yet to return to full team training and is not travelling with the team this week.
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Müller will not play Saturday at Austin FC. There is some hope that he could be available for selection when Vancouver visits Colorado on Oct. 24.
The Whitecaps will return home to BC Place on Wednesday, Oct. 28 vs. San Diego. The final home regular-season match will be played on Nov. 1 vs. Seattle. MLS Decision Day is set for Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Whitecaps play at CF Montreal.