According to Terry Jones of Sun Media the Vancouver Whitecaps will shift their NASL 2.0 franchise to Edmonton once they move to MLS. It's expected that the announcement will be made within days.
The move is another blow to the USL, as it will answer one of the questions facing the TOA group -- what happens to the teams that are moving to MLS? Although Montreal has not made a similar announcement, nor is one rumoured to be occurring soon, you would imagine that they would be thinking along the same lines.
Quebec City has been suggested in some circles as the host of a Montreal affiliate, but in many ways Ottawa might be a better fit.
Jones reported that a group lead by brothers Tom and Dave Fath are heading up the Edmonton bid. They approached the Whitecaps in April to inquire about the possibility of buying the rights to the 'Caps USL operation following the move to MLS.
Former AAA baseball general manger Mel Kowalchuk is expected to be the team's GM.
The team is not expected to play at Commonwealth Stadium, but rather at a smaller, yet to be determined, venue. Some games against bigger clubs could be held at the 60,000 seat Commonwealth.
There are a lot of questions about Edmonton as a viable soccer market. Certainly there have been failures there in the past. However, this time the sport seems to have taken hold across the country (well, in pockets across the country anyway) With the Whitecaps' legacy and support behind the project this doesn't seem to be that long of a shot.
Canadian soccer fans have to be just a little bit excited by the possibility of a fourth fully pro team within the next two years.
4 comments:
YESSSS! YESSSSSSSS!
Is the Trappers old home a viable location, assuming the proper renovations/upgrades?
ottawa would be a perfect toronto affiliate
If this is to work then pricing/promotion has to be more in keeping with the Edmonton Capitals- Under 10 bucks a game whilst hitting the local schools with promos and flyers pre their inaugural season.
I spent 2007/8 in Australia and watched Adelaide United hold gates (crowds) of 10,000 to 15,000. the reason for this was good competion, a strong broadcaster (FOX) and half the time letting kids in for free whilst charging $20-25 dollars per parent, which i think is the game day cost at TFC. Clark field might be an option as a Stadium if the Feild size is right. This would keep the overheads down. $40 plus tickets, as per the Everton v RP will not help this idea fly.
Encouraging the kids who kick soccer balls around snowy parks in mid winter will.
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