Whitecaps discussion

[David]

I was rather shocked today to learn that the Vancouver Whitecaps current payroll is $11.95M. Granted, I don't follow the league, but I somehow assumed that 1-2 players would get paid in the $1-2M range (which was true), then a cluster, around $100-$150K and the rest around $65-75K. My reaction when I saw what players are actually earning (as reported by JJ Adams today).

The median salary on the club is $220,717. I don't understand the economics of the league, other than the large expansion fees every year, but I'm not sure that that is sustainable. Whitecaps are averaging 16,997 after 5 home dates. Basically the same at the Lions.

WHITECAPS’ 2022 SALARIES

Ryan Gauld: $2,265,000
Lucas Cavallini: $1,462,500
Cristian Dájome: $815,625
Pedro Vite: $609,997
Florian Jungwirth: $592,667
Érik Godoy: $550,000
Caio Alexandre: $539,583
Ranko Veselinovic: $490,500
Brian White: $456,000
*Janio Bikel: $438,750
Russell Teibert: $437,500
Leonard Owusu: $401,250
Tristan Blackmon: $401,208
Déiber Caicedo: $331,125
Jake Nerwinski: $280,000
Cristián Gutiérrez: $267,500
Thomas Hasal: $173,934
Sebastian Berhalter: $137,250
*Derek Cornelius: $127,050
*Evan Newton: $114,802
Ryan Raposo: $114,000
Michael Baldisimo: $109,178
Javain Brown: $97,481
*Kamron Habibullah: $94,882
*Damiano Pecile: $89,894
Marcus Godinho: $88,444
*Simon Colyn: $85,444
Tosaint Ricketts: $84,000
Cody Cropper: $84,000
Matteo Campagna: $74,512
*David Egbo: $66,724
Isaac Boehmer: $65,500

(* On loan)


DH

[Qman]

In know the caps lost over $30million each year they played in US. Kerfoot said in press to was multiple 10s of millions per year in pandemic.
They lose $5-$10million annually with fans now.
They were break even for for first few years here.
It’s basically what kerfoot wants to loss.

Montreal owner says it’s been $10-11m loss every year they’ve been in mls.

Toronto was losing $20m a year when they had the big salaries.


If your asking why they are doing this, good question?

[SouthLondonNick]

The Whitecaps need to be globally competitive when it comes to salaries or players won't join the club. Football is the world's game and even players in the 3rd tiers of European leagues are on very good money.

Leagues like the NHL can pay players less because the interest in Hockey outside of NA is almost nil. Same with the NFL and CFL. There's nowhere else to go.

[Robbie]

It looks like Vancouver fired not one, but two football coaches roughly at around the same time.

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC had some good moments in the 2024 MLS Season highlighted by a third straight Canadian Championship win, a solid 5-0 first found playoff game played in Portland, and a close second round loss to the LAFC highlighted by a big 3-0 win in game 2 and close losses in games 1 and 3. But nevertheless, the Whitecaps have decided to part ways with coach Vanni Sartini.

[SammyGreene]

Since the Whitecaps announced the club was for sale back in December there has been little word on any potential new owner that would keep the club in Vancouver. Province/Sun reporter JJ Adams offered his thoughts in a column yesterday on just how difficult it will be to find one given what they are up against.

https://theprovince.com/sports/monday-m ... cer-scribe

According to Forbes, the Whitecaps have the lowest revenue among MLS teams, and operated at a $10 million deficit last season. (A new, more favourable lease with B.C. Place, up for renewal this year, has yet to be negotiated). The team ownership absorbed both the year-over-year losses and continued basement-level revenue.

Where will you find the combination of locally committed, financially capable, soccer-loving owners willing to operate the club under the same circumstances? That’s a short list.

Like the Lions, the club does not own its own training facility. Instead, they contributed $10 million to be based out of the National Soccer Centre at UBC where their all-expenses paid academy for hundreds of kids is also located — another enourmous expense.

I do wonder where the club would be financially if Greg Kerfoot and Jeff Mallett's proposal to build their own waterfront stadium was approved now 17 years ago. Mind you capacity would have been just 15,000 but all revenue generated would have stayed with the club.
https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitec ... r-province

Adams used the same column to pay tribute to Doman for approving the signings of Rourke and Betts and the massive fine that has now come with it. We can never take his ownership granted and sure hope the club's interest and revenue continues to grow.

[SammyGreene]

Wow!! Did not see this coming. Does this mean the club is no longer for sale or their own stadium is the only way it can be sold and stay in Vancouver?

Likely the city provides the land and the club pays for construction?



Province story too:
https://theprovince.com/news/local-news ... 0653f02cd9

[Robbie]

Just like the Canucks in Dallas, the Whitecaps pull off a huge comeback win in Mexico City over Pumas UNAM with a very late goal to advance to the semifinals in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup through away goals.



Next is against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF. It looks like Vancouver will finally get to see Lionel Messi in action after all after he skipped the visiting game in Vancouver last season and Inter Miami CF does not have any MLS regular season games scheduled in Vancouver this season. And there's no way Lionel Messi will miss this important semifinal game.

[Toppy Vann]

The question always is will Messi actually play in Vancouver?

I didn't realize the big bucks these players are getting.

I've gone to few games including the CONCACAF games (Monterrey) in BC Place as I like the format of 2 games and away goals as a tie breaker like happened with the Caps over Pumas.

This is a good team that injuries hasn't set back. Their quick passing (much longer than I've ever coached and ball control percentages must be sky high). Their mid-field players are equally good on the ball and in ability to create plays AND what is not seen at high levels always - ability to take the ball off opponents.

STADIUM

One interpretation is that it will fail like it did with the proposal over the railway tracks and that will justify as sale to the USA.

[Robbie]

Let's see what the attendance is tonight as the Whitecaps take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Over 52,000 is expected so he better play after his no-show from last season.

But at the same time....most in the audience are Whitecaps fans and they want the team to reach the final. So if Messi does NOT play, then there's a better chance of the Whitecaps winning.

[Robbie]

Excellent evening for Vancouver soccer fans:

1. Lionel Messi did indeed play for Inter Miami FC amidst an attendance-record 53,837 fans at BC Place. Messi took several of the corner kicks awarded to his team and fans in the corner immediately took out their phones to snap closeup pictures of him.

2. Despite Inter Miami FC having more possession, the Whitecaps took advantage of their opportunities with a goal in each half for a 2-0 win.

3. Just as importantly, the Whitecaps didn't allow any away goals so they are in good shape for the 2nd leg in Miami. A tie would advance the Whitecaps, as would a Miami win in the form of 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2 as the Whitecaps would advance to the final because of away goals.

And despite three Whitecaps receiving yellow cards including one to team scoring leader Brian White for fouling Messi, the most important thing is that they didn't get any red cards which would have mean a suspension for the 2nd leg.

Whitecaps are in a good position for the 2nd leg and have done very well on the road but they shouldn't get too overconfident.

[Robbie]

Excellent evening for Vancouver soccer fans:

1. Lionel Messi did indeed play for Inter Miami FC amidst an attendance-record 53,837 fans at BC Place. Messi took several of the corner kicks awarded to his team and fans in the corner immediately took out their phones to snap closeup pictures of him.

2. Despite Inter Miami FC having more possession, the Whitecaps took advantage of their opportunities with a goal in each half for a 2-0 win.

3. Just as importantly, the Whitecaps didn't allow any away goals so they are in good shape for the 2nd leg in Miami. A tie would advance the Whitecaps, as would a Miami win in the form of 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2 as the Whitecaps would advance to the final because of away goals.

And despite three Whitecaps receiving yellow cards including one to team scoring leader Brian White for fouling Messi, the most important thing is that they didn't get any red cards which would have mean a suspension for the 2nd leg.

Whitecaps are in a good position for the 2nd leg and have done very well on the road but they shouldn't get too overconfident.

Whitecaps are invincible as aside from leading the MLS and having the top leading scorer (Brian White), they rise to the occasion against Lionel Messi and his team in Miami (Fort Lauderdale) as after conceding an early goal, they fight back for 3 away goals in the second half for a 3-1 win in leg 2 and a final score of 5-1. Inter Miami would have had to score 5 more goals for 6 goals total for them to advance which essentially was impossible.



Whitecaps advance to the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup final against either Mexican team UANL or Cruz Azul.