New York City FC are on the road this weekend as they face Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Samuel Rowan, writer for Whitecaps blog Eighty Six Forever.
Q.) How long have you been a fan of the Whitecaps and blogging about them?
I’ve been an interested observer of the Whitecaps since their pre-MLS days growing up, so it’s been quite the journey from Swangard Stadium to Empire Field and now BC Place. This is my fifth season covering the team for SB Nation, and third managing our team in Vancouver.
Covering the Whitecaps really helped me break into the sports media industry, as I’ve worked for a couple of Canadian universities’ athletic programs since then. Covering the Whitecaps definitely holds a special place in my heart, even though the last couple years have been challenging for the team.
Q.) Has there been a particular highlight or favorite player during that time?
Maybe this is recency bias, but the way Vanni Sartini was able to rally the team last season, sneaking into the playoffs on decision day, was really impressive, especially as the team had the opportunity to play in front of its supporters for the first time in more than two years.
Less than three months before that final home game of 2021, the Whitecaps were embarrassed in the Canadian Championship by Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC in the preliminary rounds. Head coach Marc dos Santos was fired the next day and it felt at that time like the season was lost. I’m very happy I was in attendance for that fateful match on Vancouver Island and the chaos that ensued because it turned out to be a pivotal moment for the club. It was amazing to see how a new voice flipped the narrative in Vancouver down the stretch of the 2021 season.
In terms of favorite players, Alphonso Davies probably jumps to mind for a lot of people around the league, but I’ve got to give a shoutout to Eric Hassli, Octavio Rivero, and Pedro Morales who were a few of my personal favorites over the years.
Q.) What are your hopes for the Whitecaps this season?
The mood in the city is optimistic, although I think it’s obvious to me and those who follow the team closely that the way the Whitecaps played at the end of last season is unsustainable. A lot of things went their way down the stretch, and in reality, the ‘Caps are currently a fringe playoff team with upside.
Ryan Gauld has delivered thus far on everything the team is looking for in an attacking midfielder and Brian White (who may or may not be available this weekend), provides a tireless goalscoring threat upfront. Where the Whitecaps are still fragile is in the middle of the park. Brazilian centre-mid Caio Alexandre had offseason visa issues and is not up to match fitness yet, and their depth options leave something to be desired in that area.
Goalkeeping was supposed to be a no-brainer going into this year, but Maxime Crepeau forcing his way to LAFC at the eleventh hour of the offseason threw a wrench into those plans. Promising homegrown Thomas Hasal has been the starter in waiting since his breakout at MLS is Back a couple of seasons ago and is highly rated by European scouts, but no one was expecting for him to be the undisputed starter this quickly, so it’ll be a sink or swim year for the 22-year-old.
Overall, I think the Whitecaps should be hoping to grab the 5th or 6th spot in the West and see what kind of noise they can make in the playoffs. To me, that seems like a best-case scenario, there are a lot of good teams in the West, especially with Nashville joining the fray.
Q.) What makes a game at BC Place special?
When the team is having success on the pitch, the atmosphere is phenomenal, and the supporters really get behind the team. The Whitecaps bring a lot of different groups of people together in the community.
Historically, it’s been one of the best sports and entertainment experiences in the area. The club will be looking to rekindle that after a long absence from consistent home games as the Whitecaps spent a good portion of last season in Salt Lake and the season prior (upon restart) in Portland due to covid restrictions.
Q.) What do you think will be the most decisive factor in Saturday's game?
If the Whitecaps can utilize the home crowd to their advantage in the opening stages.
Vancouver needs to do everything they can early on to dictate the pace and be as direct and aggressive as possible. The more Vancouver allows the game to be a tactical and technical battle in the midfield, the worse it is likely to go for them, especially against a talented side like NYCFC.
Vanni Sartini talked this week about how the Whitecaps have to embrace their identity if they want to be successful this year, and that identity is being simple, decisive, and ruthlessly efficient. The Whitecaps were too stagnant and ponderous on opening weekend, and they won’t win many games this season playing that way.
Q.) For any of our fans that may be in Vancouver for the game, are there any spots you'd suggest they check out?
Personally, I think two of the best things about Vancouver are the great outdoors and the phenomenal craft beer scene.
In terms of getting out in the wild, it’s really hard to go wrong, but any walking or hiking in North or West Vancouver is worth the effort, weather permitting. Lighthouse Park and Whyte Lake would be two of my personal picks this time of year when there’s bound to be snow at higher elevations.
In terms of beer, the choices are equally endless, but I’ll give a shoutout to Brassneck Brewery on Main Street, who are one of the best breweries in the country. The whole Main St. area is littered with craft breweries and restaurants, and it’s only about a 20-minute walk to BC Place.
