When the Vancouver Whitecaps went a dismal 6-18-10 in its first MLS season in 2011, the idea of making the playoffs in year 2 was beyond dreams. Well, you can pinch yourself because the Whitecaps are the first Canadian-based team to make the MLS playoffs.
Vancouver travels to the L.A. Galaxy for the Western Conference play-in game Thursday at 10:30 pm Eastern on the NBC Sports Network and TSN. U.S. viewers get a double dose of Canada on the channel since both NBC Sports Network and TSN will also carry Hamilton at Toronto. Unlike the CFL game, NBC Sports Network will bring its own crew to cover the playoff game.
The Whitecaps record isn't that much better than last year, a below .500 mark at 11-13-10, but Vancouver's 43 points were 4 points better than FC Dallas.
The winner of the play-in round gets a home-and-home with the San Jose Earthquakes. Just like the Canucks-Sharks. So this makes Canucks-Kings for tomorrow night. Okay, not really, but you got to pretend. This hockey withdrawal is driving me crazy. Look! I'm writing about soccer playoffs.
The Whitecaps only scored 10 goals on the road this season, by far the worst of the playoff teams. If the Whitecaps make it past the Galaxy, they will get a home game at B.C. Place Stadium. Vancouver usually blocks off the top deck at B.C. Place, but it would be nice to see the Whitecaps draw enough fans to open up the whole stadium and show that off on U.S. television.
The fact that Canadian teams have been shut out of the playoffs has hurt their impression within the league and on TV in both countries. The Vancouver squad has enough pressure without feeling like the team has to play for an entire country.
Toronto FC has been around for awhile, and hasn't done well in a while. Toronto has hosted the MLS Championship yet hasn't come close to the playoffs. The Montréal Impact finished its first season 7th in a 10-team Eastern Conference with 42 points. Toronto FC was last with 23 points.
If Vancouver survives, the Whitecaps travel to San Jose on November 4 for the first leg in the conference semifinal. That game will air on ESPN and TSN2. The MLS Cup 2012 will be December 1.
The Whitecaps shared tenant at B.C. Place, the CFL Lions, will host the Western Division final on November 18. The chances of the Whitecaps playing that late in the MLS Playoffs is slim. But at least, the Whitecaps can say they were in the playoffs.
photo credit: Les Bazso, PNG