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It seems that many Vancouver Whitecaps fans have been anxiously awaiting the start of the 2016 MLS Season. There are big things expected from this team and fans are excited to see if they can come through. The Caps had a successful pre-season, losing only once, however, none of that matters once the games start to count in the standings. Once again, the Western Conference will be tight and it will be important to get off to a fast start. The Vancouver Whitecaps have a great opportunity to do just that this Sunday when they host the Montreal Impact.
As seems to be a tradition, the Vancouver Whitecaps will be beginning their regular season campaign at home. In their 5 season-openers, the Whitecaps are 4-0-1, with their only loss coming last season against Toronto FC. Each season-opener has been an exciting match with the Whitecaps having scored 12 goals and their opponents 6. Who will forget their first ever match in 2011, a 4-2 victory against Toronto FC at Empire Field, or the exciting debut of Pedro Morales in 2014, a 4-1 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls? Let us know about your memories of opening game in the comments section. For the second time the Whitecaps will play host to the Montreal Impact. Their first opening-season game was a 2-0 victory in 2012. Look for the Caps to take it to Impact again!
Don't forget, if you are new to the Vancouver Whitecaps or are a long time attendee, and are curious about how to join in and begin making noise, singing along, and waving a flag with all of the supporters groups, please read over this thread posted by one of our regular. Note that this is not an endorsement of Vancouver Southsiders by EightSix Forever and I encourage the other supporters groups who have members on this website to post some gameday contact information, so we can add it to our Match Preview threads each week and grow the supporters culture.
Match Information
When: March 6th at 2:30 pm
Where: BC Place
Who: Montreal Impact
PreMatch: Join in on the 'March to the Match' with the various supporter groups, starting 60 minutes before kick-off at Doolin's Irish Pub, located at Granville and Nelson (all ages welcome)
Can't Make it to the Match?
Listen Online at Team1040 or Watch on TSN 1 and 3
Participate in our Season-Long Contests/Leagues
'Guess the Starting XI and Final Score'
'MLS Fantasy' league. The join code is 3867-1104
Prediction: The Vancouver Whitecaps have always put on a show to start the regular season and I expect Sunday to be no different. Without Drogba, the Impact are a different team and that will show this weekend. I fully expect an energetic Whitecaps to impress and make it clear to the rest of MLS that last year’s success was no fluke and that the team will once again challenge for the Supporters Shield.
Excited for the start of the season? Give us your predictions for the match and/or season. Who are your 'players to watch' in this match?