With Whitecaps defeated in the semi-finals and the USSF D-2 league final about to take place this weekend, now is a good time to say goodbye to the USL/USSF leagues and Swangard Stadium.
Home to Vancouver 86ers and Whitecaps FC soccer teams since 1987, this 41 year old multi-use stadium will no longer be home field in the coming Major League Soccer era.
Over the years Swangard has witnessed our local teams bring home a lot of hardware; 4 CSL championships, 2 USL championships, Commissioner’s, Cascadia and Voyageur Cup.
It’s shining moment has to be during the FIFA U20 Wolrd Cup when the stadium was temperarily expanded to 10,000 seats, some great matches occured including a stunning Spain v Brazil round of 16 tilt. World Cup/Olympic qualifiers & FIFA U19 Women’s World Cup have all been held at Swangard.
Being a smaller stadium (capacity 5288) it provides an outstanding intimate setting, something the (Whitecap’s) SouthSiders Supporters have used to their advantage when building enthusiams and causing much grief for visiting Goal Keepers (with cries of “You Fat Bastard”)
Hopefully, when Whitecaps FC allocate seats in their new temporary stadium at Empire Field, there is a fare share of standing-room tickets for the Southside members and other’s who want to be close to the action!
Alas, all is not over for the venerable Burnaby grounds; SFU, High Schools & Local teams will continue to use the facility and special events like 24Hour Replay will be ongoing as well.