The Vancouver Whitecaps have arrived in Fort Lauderdale in full force, ahead of the biggest match in the franchise’s MLS era.
Vancouver has a glorious chance to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final, carrying a 2-0 advantage into the second leg of the tournament’s semi-final against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. A win or a draw will put the Whitecaps in the final. Depending on the score, a loss could be enough for Jesper Sørensen’s squad.
The Whitecaps won’t have 53,837 fans cheering them on in the Messi rematch like they did at BC Place last week, but they won’t be without support in enemy territory. They’re getting an extra boost of support with 300 family, friends, and support staff in attendance on Wednesday night (match broadcast on OneSoccer begins at 5 p.m. PDT).
The Whitecaps have flown a large contingent of supporters south to cheer them on, including members of the Vancouver Southsiders, Vancouver Albion, Rain City Brigade, and South Sisters.
“It is very special because we are in a position where we can accept it,” Southsiders president Peter Czimmerman told Daily Hive after landing in Fort Lauderdale. “It’s a very big deal, and it’s fantastic to be on this trip.”
The supporters got warmed up on the five-hour and 47-minute journey, singing and chanting during the charter flight.
“It shows our relationship has evolved this far that they feel comfortable having us singing on the plane,” he said.
“We sang songs because that’s what we do when we go on road trips, when we take a bus, or drive in a car. We just do that because that’s what’s in us.”
Whitecaps co-owner Jeff Mallett is fired up, too.
“I’ve been a fan since day one, so 51 years,” Mallett said in an exclusive interview with Daily Hive. “I’ve been with the club for 18 years. This is the highest peak, it’s the pinnacle. To be able to go to a continental championship final, it’s the ultimate. It’s the biggest match I’ve been a part of.”
The winner of the Champions Cup will earn a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup, which presents a rare opportunity to play against the biggest clubs in the world.
“It is a really big deal,” Mallett said. “Seattle is in [the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup] representing MLS. If you think about European football, it is the ultimate to get into your region. You can’t sort of just stumble into it.”
But there’s work to be done, and Messi will surely be motivated.
Sørensen and the Whitecaps will be hoping to more than stumble upon a spot in the final. Vancouver wants to take the match to Inter Miami.
“It’s a special moment,” Mallett said. “The word gets overused sometimes, but this is a special moment. I was talking with Axel [Schuster] and the best special moments are sharing it with the people who really care and follow the club through the highest, lows, and in-between.”