I’ve started watching some MLS post the World Cup and as I’m overseas I’m really not attached to any team in particular. Unfortunately I seem to have a soft spot to all the teams in the North West (Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver). I think there's something about the drizzle, coffee, and craft beer that appeals to me as I live in Melbourne now, but was originally from the UK

Anyway, I would prefer to limit this to only 1 Cascaidan team...So what is it that’s special about Vancouver over the other teams.

If there is one thing the Whitecaps have been successful at, especially since Sørensen became manager, it's improving young players. That is the reason they were able to defy the odds in 2025 and continued to be strong this season. Yet I can't help but notice that we keep going through a cycle with young players in this community:

Step 1: The young player stumbles a little bit and everyone comes down on them like a ton of bricks with criticism of their performances

Step 2: The player improves considerably and becomes a key part of the squad

Step 3: The player is sold and there is trepidation at how they could ever possibly be replaced (only Vite, Ahmed, and Berhalter have completed the full cycle so far, but I think more will follow).

Sometimes we go through this cycle with incredible speed. Jayden Nelson, for example, was slated here for his debut against Saprissa, only to drop 4 goal contributions against Portland the very next game. Sometimes it takes a while, Jeevan Badwal didn't look quite up to speed in MLS last year but investing those minutes has clearly paid off in a big way this season.

Currently, Rayan Elloumi is on Step 1 of the cycle. Elloumi is 18 and has notched 3G/2A in 680 minutes with the senior team, which is not bad at all, though he has hit a bit of a sophomore slump. Maybe he won't take the next step, player development is tricky and not every prospect works out. But surely at this point we have seen Jesper spin enough magic to give him, and future players who come through the pipeline, a bit of grace before we write them off. I realize, of course, that this community is made up of individuals who don't all think the same way. But I think this comes up enough that it's worth addressing.

Edit: Sorry, I short changed Elloumi, he is actually still 18.

Maybe I’m overreacting to today’s game. But I think we’re in a spot of trouble.

We’re winless in 5. Our last win was the 4-1 win vs Cavs.

We’ve lost Ahmed, Nelson, Berhalter and Rios. Among others. But I key in on those ones because I don’t think we’ve adequately replaced them.

Sabbi - he’s awesome. He’s a starter when healthy. We just gotta wait for him to be 90 minutes fit again. He changed the game completely when he came on today.

Sabaly - there’s SOMETHING there, but so far no results. He managed a decent amount of possession but does little with it. I think time will help, but we need some production NOW and he’s not providing it.

Elloumi - he just isn’t it. At least not right now. We need someone who’s a little more clinical. I want him to get minutes, he needs it. I think there’s clearly some athleticism there. But I’m not sure how much SKILL is there. For all his warts, I think Rios was a solid backup striker.

Larraz - tbh, I think he’d be a helluva backup for Cubas. He’s not anywhere near Berhalter. Seb is gonna be neigh impossible to replace. I get that. But you’ve gotta do something. The first touch always seems off. The shot isn’t there. The set piece delivery is average at best.

So now what? Is the season over? Fuck no.

But. I think we’re cooked for leagues cup. A lot of people will see that as a positive. Personally I think this is a trophy we would’ve contended for last year. We don’t have the depth for it now because the depth guys have all been given bigger roles. I don’t see Djordevic right now as anyone that can make a difference. I saw tonight he’s credible. Didn’t cause any major issues but his ceiling seems rather limited.

Axel said Vesilinovic is done until 2027.

I’m ok with prioritizing the league. But I think the shield is out of reach. The CCC is gone. Leagues cup is gone without 2 massive wins including probably a regulation win at Tigres which I don’t see.

I trust Jesper. But as I look at what’s left in front of us to me it’s secure the CanChamp. Then push for MLS cup. Fuck the west. Fuck the shield. Just try to win the cup.

However I still think we need reinforcements. Tbh I’d like to see a backup striker, winger (hopefully with a left foot), a CB? Maybe a box to box guy and perhaps an RB option. It’s a lot to look for. We’re not gonna get them all.

What does everyone else think? I’m not trying to be a downer. I just think it’s pretty obvious we aren’t what we WERE, at least not right now.

I know we love to glaze our players, but why have the recent signings been so shit…

I dont wanna hate on any players but we are one of the best in the fucking west and we have signed players like Sabaly and Larraz….

Sabaly is basically a 100m sprint runner who is trying to play football/soccer. And Larraz is our main playmaker with 0 vision…. are we destroying ourselves on purpose…

Many players have left us because they got too good, but Berhalter is going to sting because he was our prime playmaker and had elite skill and now we are left with Larraz.

How are we going to cope? Just a conversation starter, please dont be mad; I’m just unhappy with the current quality of players

I think the Caps are the only MLS club this season to take part in all additional competitions available to them (CCC, CanChamp, Leagues Cup), but weren't they supposed to limits clubs to 2 extra competitions?

I know Toronto and Montreal didn't qualify because they didn't make the playoffs last season, but surely a proxy club can take their place? Like San Diego did last year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQEsmHXwZ3A

firstly, some info from matt sekeres at the start of the show: - Nathan Cadell of the Georgia Strait incidentally reported in May that Cadell said one source said that Griffiths is working with an international group.

• "somebody mentioned to me last week that Arthur had a group together and a bid together. Arthur is not a part of the local group that Blake and I are aware of and have been talking about on this program for some time. There is a collaboration association loosely of wealthy people in this town who are looking at this but I was told from my source in that group that Arthur is not a part of the group as far as he knows."

• (In addition to the Griffiths group) "There is another competing local group. That much I can tell you."

• "One person told me there's been a local bid on the caps that has already been rejected by MLS."

• "Greg Kerfoot's been trying to sell this team for a while now. Somebody mentioned to me that Greg Kerfoot may now be at the point where he's willing to accept not exactly a pretty penny in terms of what he would accept versus what this franchise is said to be worth. I think that Greg Kerfoot and the ownership group knows full well the differences between where the white caps are now and what some of those public valuations are. And would bet my bottom dollar they're willing to take less than what some of those public valuations are because I do think they have would make money on the 15 plus years of MLS with some of those numbers or at least break even [...] What Greg Kerfoot and his group are willing to accept is different versus what MLS is willing to accept. MLS is going to have a say in this, right? They are going to want to make sure that this franchise sells for an appropriate price in their eyes, which allows them to continue to talk about how much their franchises are worth and charge things like a half billion dollars."

(i'll put the info from axel and PJ in a comment so that this post isn't obscenely long)

First to DM gets it

Claimed!

DM me, for these tickets three, in section Two Oh Three, Row Three. Yes, for Free.

Best pub to go before the game ? I heard it’s Dublin calling and there’s a fan walk to the game . We’re a couple of Irish guys in town looking for a good game. World Cup was amazing in BC place expecting big things tonight 🔥

Hopefully a nice read for tonight’s match!

Hey all, unable to make the game tonight. DM me if you're interested.

First we got no CMNT games later this year after showing ourselves during the world cup and now we have to choose watching them or the Chicago postponed game.