Who could have imagined a better debut for MLS soccer in Vancouver?
I had to stop and give myself a shake just after kickoff between TFC and Vancouver Saturday night at how far the professional game has come in this country. But it fits so well. It feels familiar and normal, like it should always have been this way.
But of course it wasn't. Those of us in the Sportsnet soccer department who were here when our network launched back in 1998 will remember there wasn't much soccer coverage in those days.
We began showing English Premier League games live two days after we launched, but apart from a few Canadian National team games, coverage of the sport domestically didn't amount to much, because there wasn't anything to cover. Major League Soccer was only two years old and the thought of Canadian teams in the league hardly crossed anyone's mind.
Who in their wildest dreams could have imagined what took place at Empire Field Saturday night? There is not only one, but two MLS franchises in this country with another one on the way next year.
The scenes at Empire Field were magnificent. Everything you'd expect when Mother Nature decided to smile on the Lower Mainland. A brilliant sun, green grass (even if it is artificial) and the mountains sparkling in the distance.
The Whitecaps did their part all the while showing the recruiting expertise of Paul Barber, Tom Soehn and Teitur Thordarson. One game does not make a season, but the Whitecaps do not look like an expansion team.
Or maybe that's just because they were playing TFC. Vancouver looks to be light years ahead of where Toronto was in 2007. In fact they're ahead of where Toronto is now, five years on. Eric Hassli, Davide Chiumiento and some of the others look like excellent finds.
TFC head coach Aron Winter is not likely too surprised at losing this game. He's been telling everyone who will listen that this will take time. Remember, it's year one as far as he's concerned.
But the way in which they lost, how badly they lost, how dispirited they looked has to be disheartening. Is it possible TFC are worse than they were when it all began during those heady spring days of 2007?
It is perfectly clear that previous regimes installed by MLSE have set this franchise back to the beginning. The previous four years at BMO Field have been a complete waste. Are you ready to be told to be patient once again? Get ready for it.
As for Vancouver, what a start to their first season. Brilliant all around. I know Bob Lenarduzzi, Thordarson and the others were nervous over how they would stack up.
You're fine fellas. Playoffs or not, the Whitecaps will provide Vancouver fans with plenty of tasty treats this summer.
