THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps hope an exhibition game against Manchester City of the English Premier League will re-establish a tradition of the world’s top soccer clubs visiting the West Coast.
The Whitecaps, in their first Major League Soccer season, announced Thursday they will host Manchester City in an exhibition game at a temporary natural grass field July 18 at Empire Field. Vancouver usually plays on field turf.
The club is slated to move into a renovated BC Place Stadium this fall but the two teams’ schedules don’t allow for a match later in the year.
"There are two things about this game which are important," said Whitecaps CEO Paul Barber. "First of all, it’s part of our continuing story to build the franchise, to build the profile of the club, to try and put us back where we have been in the past, which is at the top level of soccer.
"The second reason is a good workout for our players."
The game, part of the World Football Challenge that’s sponsored by international groups, will mark the third time Vancouver and Manchester City have met at Empire Field.
Vancouver beat Man City 5-0 in 1980 and 3-1 in 1981 on the same Pacific National Exhibition grounds site, which was formerly occupied by demolished Empire Stadium.
"It’s 31 years since Manchester City last visited this stadium and it’s just fantastic in our first season back in Major League Soccer that we can attract a team of that calibre to come here to Vancouver to play us," said Barber.
Playing in the North American Soccer League in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Whitecaps made a habit of hosting top international sides from Europe and Brazil. But Vancouver held few friendlies while playing in different leagues and struggling financially in the 1990s and 2000s.
This year’s move to MLS, the top level in North American pro soccer, is viewed as a way to end the previous uncertainty that plagued Vancouver teams since their NASL heydays. Barber said the game will re-establish Vancouver’s historic soccer ties and spark interest among younger fans.
Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi, who played in the two earlier games against Manchester City and scored in one, said the contest will rekindle global interest in his club.
"Given the fact we’re playing a club the stature of City, people are going to know globally they’re playing the Whitecaps, and the Whitecaps have a strong history that has resulted in (former Premier League) players playing with us in the past, like (Bruce) Grobelaar, Peter Beardsley," said Lenarduzzi.
Manchester City is managed by former Italian international Roberto Mancini and features such world-class players as midfielders Patrick Vieira of France and David Silva of Spain, who have both won World Cups. There are also seven England internationals, including Gareth Barry and Joe Hart, and Italian striker Mario Balotelli.
Barber, a former executive with Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League who organized exhibitions to North America from the other side of the Atlantic, said Manchester City will field as strong a lineup as possible. Premier League clubs do not want to hurt their reputations by dressing weak teams.
"They don’t want to disappoint fans, so whoever’s fit, whoever’s available, whoever’s able to play, I’m sure, will be part of their squad," said Barber.
The game will be held during a busy part of the Whitecaps’ regular-season schedule. Vancouver players are looking forward to the chance to test their skills against some of the world’s best players and use it to further their MLS playoff hopes.
"It’s more a showcase kind of thing, but it’s great for us to get another run at high-quality team in the mid-season, said goalkeeper Jay Nolly. "It’ll be a fun game for all the fans to enjoy."
Added defender Jonny Leathers: "It’s going to be good for all of us. All of us have looked up to these players for some time. We only seen them on the screen and admire them and want to be them, honestly. So it’s going to be great for us to see what it takes to be at that level."
Coach Teitur Thordarson said the friendly will help his club elevate its play.
"One of the things we have to do, if we want to get to the next level, is to play teams from that level," said Thordarson. "So this is a fantastic opportunity for our players to see where the top level is."
The chance to play on grass will also mark a rare opportunity during the season for Vancouver players. FIFA, the world’s soccer governing body frowns on the use of artificial turf and European clubs often shy away from it due to concerns about the increased risk of knee injuries.
Empire’s temporary grass field will comprise large pieces of sod cut and watered to take root over a few days with both clubs getting an opportunity to train on it. The grass will later be moved to a permanent training facility the Whitecaps plan to move into. The location has yet to be announced.
"We’re using the same people that have installed the grass in Seattle," said Lenarduzzi. "There’s a system they employ.
"I do recall watching a game in Seattle versus Barcelona. There turf wasn’t coming up. The roots are very deep when they put it in, so the clubs that have played on it have never had anything negative to say about it."
As a way to thank their fans, the Whitecaps are granting free entry to all season-ticket holders who sign up by April 30. Other ticketing details have yet to be determined, said Barber.
The World Football Challenge is part of a series of friendlies. In addition to the game in Vancouver, Manchester United will take on MLS sides New England Revolution in Foxboro, Mass., and Chicago Fire in the Windy City, while meeting Barcelona in Washington, D.C. later in July.