June is a good month for soccer. There’s lot’s of football on TV with Euro 2012 into the quarter final stage and after a two week lay0ff, the MLS Whitecaps FC returned with three home games in two weeks. Earning 7 of a possible 9 points from the homestand, Whitecaps haven’t lost since early May, moving them into 3rd place in the Western Conference.
Debuting a new jersey and a new designated player, the Whitecaps are making the most of being “Vancouver’s team” while they are the only active team in town, between the end of the Canucks season and the start of the Vancouver Canadians and BC Lions.
Adding a third jersey gives the team added merchandising revenue, the “Arbutus Brown with Sky Blue accents” jersey was met with mixed reviews on its unveiling but I think once people saw it in action during a win against Colorado, the success on the field helped turn opinion. The third kit can be purchased exclusively from a special kiosk located on Terry Fox Plaza at BC Place until June 24th, after which they move to retailers like Sport Chek.
The ‘Caps introduced their latest designated player, Barry Robson to media and public but fans have to wait until the North American transfer window opens June 27th, before he can make his on-field debut. The Scottish international comes to Vancouver after two seasons at Middlesbrough FC in the English Football League Championship. The 33year old midfielder has made 16 appearances for the Scottish national team, earning credit for one international goal. Scoring 17 goals in his tenure at Middlesbrough, Robson “is a versatile box-to-box midfielder that can play in several positions, with the ability to create and score goals. Barry will be a great addition to our squad.” said coach Martin Rennie
With the Whitecaps on a long road trip we will have to wait until July 17th to get our first site of Robson on the BC Place turf.
Hopefully the designated player proves himself and earns a place on the team by helping Whitecaps FC maintain their current form.