As the Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate a half-century of soccer history, Brian White has carved out a spot in the club鈥檚 record book.
Last Saturday, the New Jersey native scored in the 15th minute of the 1-1 road draw against the New York Red Bulls, the club that traded White to Vancouver on June 2, 2021.
The goal was the striker鈥檚 44th with the Whitecaps across all competitions, moving him ahead of Camilo Sanvezzo as the club鈥檚 leading scorer of the Major League Soccer era.
鈥淚 was very happy for him because he did it in his hometown, in front of his family and friends, and even against his former team that maybe didn鈥檛 believe in him a lot, so they traded him,鈥� said Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini. 鈥淢aybe that had even a little extra spice to put in the game.鈥�
White has been a consistent producer since arriving in Vancouver. This year, the Whitecaps (5-2-2) are averaging two goals a game through their first nine contests. White leads the way in both goals (five) and shots (19).
鈥淚 think I鈥檝e always been confident how I can play and how I can perform,鈥� White said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a matter of being fit, being healthy and being in a good place mentally. I think I鈥檓 at that spot, so hopefully I can continue to work hard for the team and produce goals and assists and good performances.鈥�
White will bring a four-game scoring streak into Saturday鈥檚 50th anniversary celebration match against Austin FC (4-3-3), a squad that has surrendered just one goal in its last three outings.
鈥淭hey became, if we compared them with last year, a much more fast team,鈥� Sartini said. 鈥淭hat allows them to defend a little low, close to the goal, and then counterattack.
鈥淲e need to be extremely focused when we have the ball to maintain our structure. We鈥檙e always good, tactically, when we don鈥檛 have the ball. We have to be very good, tactically, when we have the ball too. If we lose the ball, they can be a threat.鈥�
More than 30,000 fans are expected at BC Place on Saturday, for the celebration of the club鈥檚 history that stretches back to the original Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League in 1974, through the era of the Vancouver 86ers at Burnaby鈥檚 Swangard Stadium, to the return of the Whitecaps in 2000, and on to the organization鈥檚 debut as the 17th franchise in Major League Soccer on Mar. 19, 2011.
The Whitecaps are expecting more than 50,000 fans when Lionel Messi鈥檚 Inter Miami CF visits BC Place on May 25. But Sartini has seen the home crowds double since the Whitecaps resumed play after the pandemic pause in 2021. This season, numbers have consistently topped 20,000, and the opportunity to set a new MLS-era attendance record on Saturday has special significance.
鈥淚t was hard to bring it back people in the stadium,鈥� Sartini said. 鈥淲e worked a lot 鈥� through having good results, playing good football, trying to be as close as we can to our fans. And the response of our fans has been fantastic.
鈥淭he fans really love us. And with them behind us 鈥� it鈥檚 not going to be easy, but it鈥檚 going to be easier, trying to win.鈥�
AUSTIN FC (4-3-3) AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC (5-2-2)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., 91茄子 Place (Apple TV, TSN)
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS 鈥� The Whitecaps鈥� first-ever match in the North American Soccer League was a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at Empire Stadium on the PNE Grounds on May 5, 1974.
CELEBRATING HISTORY 鈥� More than 110 alumni are expected to take part in Saturday鈥檚 pre-match ceremony celebrating the club鈥檚 history. Other festivities will include a street party. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:15. Other 50th anniversary theme nights are planned through the season.
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