Vancouver Whitecaps FC : Philadelphia Union

The jet lag had us well under control and so one could Vancouver already early a visit. The weather was excellent and so we took the opportunity to explore Stanley Park by bike.

After completing their own sports program, and with one or the other local beer delicacies had compensated for the electrolyte loss, it went direction BC Place Stadium - the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Vancouver had started the season well, unbeaten at home and always good for goals in recent games. Opponent was the team from Philadelphia, which had rather not so good start.

The soccer seems to have a high value in Vancouver. Numerous pubs broadcast the games live, flags and kit hang in the pubs and there are also numerous banners on the streets. The spectator popularity is also enormous and audience numbers around the 15,000 also speak for themselves.

So were also on this sunny day over 20,000 spectators in the stadium. The stadium itself was built in 1981, but was completely renovated a few years ago for the Winter Olympics. It can accommodate 60,000 spectators. For the soccer games, however, the upper tier is not opened, allowing a capacity of 27,000. The upper tier is covered with awnings towards the stadium roof, so the stadium does not appear empty. All in all, a great soccer stadium.

The game itself was already pre-decided in minute 8 after Davidson was excluded from Vancouver after an assault. Vancouver tried hard, but little went in front of goal. Philadelphia was dangerous again and again by counterattacks, but before the goal too harmless. Towards the end of the game, however, the forces of Vancouver dwindled, which had to play the entire game time in a shorthanded. Philadelphia became more and more dangerous and just before the end of the substitute Hoppenot scored the last end deserved 1:0.

After the end of the game and the consumption of beer and burger had to pay tribute to the jet lag and put an end to the day ;-)