Local News
BC Place hosting MLS Championship game watch party
Vancouver soccer fans are showing their support for the Whitecaps from afar Saturday, with nearly 19,000 people taking to BC Place Stadium to cheer on the team in Major League Soccer’s championship match against Inter Miami FC in Florida.
The ‘Caps have already played — and beaten — Miami twice this year for the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. They won both matches, taking the first leg 2-0 at BC Place and the second 3-1 at Chase Stadium.
This is the club’s first time playing in the MLS championship match. While Miami boasts one of the best soccer players in the world in Lionel Messi, Vancouver has a top-tier talent of its own, having signed German legend Thomas Muller midway through August, adding a dynamic playmaker to a team that already hovered near the top of the Western Conference standings.
Vancouver has lost just one game across all competitions since bringing in the 36-year-old attacker midfielder.
Vancouver mayor heads to Florida
Meanwhile, 2,000 fans, staff, family members, and Whitecaps alumni have headed to Fort Lauderdale to watch the game in person.
One of those who made the trek down is Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, who says it feels “absolutely amazing” to be part of the event.
“I’m literally taking my mayor hat off here; I’m here as a fan,” Sim said.
“I’ve been a fan since I was a little kid back in ’79 when we won the NASL Championship. I remember ditching school and going to that parade and have been a fan ever since.”
— With files from The Canadian Press.
