With FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Save The Caps movement finds hope in history
If the Vancouver Whitecaps do not survive the latest risk to their long-term survival and pack up for Las Vegas, finding the responsible party will turn into a whodunnit.
Is it the provincial government of British Columbia, owners of BC Place, the venue no longer profitable enough to sustain a major professional sports team at revenues necessary to continue spending?
Is it the current owners of the Whitecaps, seeking a larger return on their investment?
Is it the Vancouver business community, perhaps beloved native son Ryan Reynolds himself, unwilling to step up and take over a civic asset?
âItâs a strange one,â CiarĂĄn Nicoll, the president and secretary of supportersâ group Vancouver Southsiders, told USA TODAY Sports. âEven in the city, people who are talking to me are like, âWhatâs going on here?â You could easily say if nobody was coming to games, if they werenât successful, well, thatâs the reason theyâre moving.
âThatâs not the case at all. Weâre consistently top of the league or close to it for attendance, weâve got probably the best team in the league, maybe on the continent. Itâs difficult to tell whoâs at fault here.â
Itâs not just biased bluster. The Caps were runners-up in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup and 2025 MLS Cup and current sit three points off the Supportersâ Shield table with one fewer game played than the leaders.
So, why would anybody want to kill the Caps?
Like any good murder mystery, many of the suspects are gathering in the same room, with Vancouver the epicenter of the soccer world during this weekâs FIFA Congress. Vancouver hosted the 2015 womenâs World Cup final and is scheduled to host seven men's World Cup matches this summer. The city, BC Place and the soccer scene in general seem to be at an acceptable standard for even some of the sportâs most discerning spectators.
Yet, reporting in The Athletic this week indicated a group of MLS owners met to discuss the possibility of moving the franchise, something that would mark the first such shift since 2006, with discussions already taking place with a group that would take the team to Las Vegas.
The Caps have been up for sale since late 2024 with owners citing a gap between the revenue possible to earn from the province-owned BC Place and that earned by most of the Whitecapsâ MLS competitions. While the city of Vancouver and the club signed a Memorandum of Understanding to negotiate for a new stadium, the negotiations are slated to run through 2026 and there is no guarantee of a final agreement being reached.
âOver the past 16 months, we have had serious conversations with more than 100 parties, and to date, no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here,â a club statement released this week read. âIt remains the strong preference of this ownership group to find a solution in Vancouver. If there is a local ownership group with the vision and resources to chart a path forward, we urge them to come forward.â
Nicoll and other fans are holding out hope their efforts will succeed. This week, those have included a march through the streets of Vancouver that drew thousands, and an online campaign with logos fans can utilize on social media or use to print signs and banners.
âI donât think thereâs too many cities, especially MLS cities, where the club means as much compared to other teams in the city,â Nicoll said. âVancouverâs got the Canucks, and theyâre obviously big, but the Whitecaps are huge in this city.â
The groupâs leaders are speaking daily to the leaders of the successful Save The Crew movement that kept an MLS franchise in Columbus, Ohio and saw Austin, Texas, the planned relocation market, awarded an expansion team instead.
They also have talked to fans from another city that saw a team lured by the lights of Las Vegas, the former Oakland Aâs of Major League Baseball. While that fan baseâs efforts werenât successful, Nicoll said there are lessons to be learned there as well - and perhaps a cautionary tale for those ready for relocation as the Aâs continue to toil away in a minor league park in West Sacramento.
âHaving the most important FIFA [event] on our doorstep is a bit of a blessing,â Nicoll said. âTeams shouldnât move, and it shows some of the weaknesses. Iâm sure (MLS commissioner) Don Garber being in Vancouver will want to be seen as a very professional organization that doesnât do these sorts of things.â
The Southsdiers, other Vancouver fans and the players on the field clearly have an alibi if the Caps do disappear, but theyâll be the heroes of the story if the team stays.
The swell of support and the team getting a needed new home actually isnât a story that is new to Vancouver.
The 1979 Whitecaps that played in the North American Soccer League captured the cityâs attention, beating a New York Cosmos team led by Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer in the conference championships to move into the Soccer Bowl. A Trevor Whymark double at Giants Stadium pushed the Caps to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, setting off celebrations in the city and a parade that stretched from the airport to downtown and drew a crowd estimated between 30,000-100,000.
âThe great victory of the Whitecaps points out the importance of our having a new stadium in Vancouver! Youâre going to have a new stadium. I give you that promise!â Mayor Jack Volrich told cheering fans.
Paul Manning had to help deliver on that promise. Already working on a study for the premier of British Columbia, Manning and others were able to secure a stadium for soccer with shovels in the ground in 1981 and the opening game taking place in June 1983 as the structure with the worldâs largest air-supported roof.
âWe built it for $60 million, guaranteed maximum price and delivered it on time and on budget, which is an amazing thing,â Manning told USA TODAY Sports this week.
Vancouver continued to grow, hosting the Expo 86 Worldâs Fair that helped the False Creek area continue to develop near downtown. The city increased in density and became linked by a robust rapid transit system.
But while Vancouver grew as a city throughout the 1980s and 90s, soccer didnât. A triumphant opening game at BC Place drew a capacity crowd of 60,000, but there would be just one more NASL season after the stadium was opened.
Top-division soccer was essentially absent from Vancouver until the Whitecaps became the 17th MLS team, starting play in 2011. The league has lasted much longer than the NASL, but the Whitecapsâ future once agin is at risk.
âIâm sad to hear whatâs happening with the Whitecaps,â Manning said. âItâs a real tragedy if a solution isnât found.â
March 22: San Diego FC's Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.
March 21: St. Louis City's Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio'ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis City won the match, 3-1.
March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC's Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.
March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in front of Columbus Crew forward Jamal Thiaré (during the second half at BMO Field. TFC won the match, 2-1.
March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps' MathĂas Laborda (2) scores against the Minnesota United en route to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.
March 14: San Diego FC's Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
March 7: A tifo is seen before the game between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
March 1: Inter Miami's German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2.
Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo's Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.
Feb. 28: The Chicago Fire's Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea's Hennadii Synchuk battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 3-0.
Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders' Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 2-0.
Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela (center) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United's Elias Baez(left) during the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the match, 2-0.
Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball against Real Salt Lake during the second half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 1-0.
Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0, knocking off the defending MLS champs.
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March 22: San Diego FC's Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.
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March 22: San Diego FC's Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.
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March 21: St. Louis City's Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio'ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis City won the match, 3-1.
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March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC's Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.
4 / 14
March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in front of Columbus Crew forward Jamal Thiaré (during the second half at BMO Field. TFC won the match, 2-1.
5 / 14
March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps' MathĂas Laborda (2) scores against the Minnesota United en route to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.
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March 14: San Diego FC's Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
7 / 14
March 7: A tifo is seen before the game between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
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March 1: Inter Miami's German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2.
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Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo's Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.
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Feb. 28: The Chicago Fire's Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea's Hennadii Synchuk battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 3-0.
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Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders' Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 2-0.
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Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela (center) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United's Elias Baez(left) during the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the match, 2-0.
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Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball against Real Salt Lake during the second half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 1-0.
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Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0, knocking off the defending MLS champs.
One of the biggest concerns for Vancouver locals, beyond potentially losing a rallying point for community in the senior team, is what would happen to the Caps expansive youth system.
âThe expansion of youth soccer in this city largely due to the Whitecaps has been incredible,â Manning said. âIâm 81 years old, but Iâve got friends and grandkids all playing soccer. Thereâs no question the Whitecaps have been a big impetus for kidâs soccer in this city.â
The Caps have produced Canada national team players for both the menâs and womenâs team, with an impressive list of alumni that includes Alphonso Davies, Ali Ahmed and Jordyn Huitema.
âThe Whitecaps have so many people that are playing because of them in the province. I think losing that would be a blow not just to football in this province but across Canada,â Nicoll said.
More than a murder mystery, it could turn into a blame game. There is the opportunity, though, for someone to step up and save the patient, for a new owner to emerge and become a hero, and for the whodunnit to turn into âWe did it."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Save The Caps movement draws hope from Vancouver soccer history, Crew's success
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