The countdown to the Whitecaps' 40th anniversary celebrations have been in full flow in Vancouver this week.
With Saturday's game against San Jose marking 40 years since the original Whitecaps played their first ever match against the NASL Earthquakes in 1974, there's been a real 70's vibe at training all week, with players and Caps staff donning retro wigs, clothes, sunglasses and the Caps' recently produced line of original logo leisurewear.
Let the haters hate, but it's been a fun break from the more serious proceedings and you can expect more of the same at the match on Saturday, which will also see Whitecaps legend, and current President, Bobby Lenarduzzi being inducted as the first person into the Caps' "Ring of Honour" (and yes, we do plan to bring back our <i>"All-Time Greats"</i> series sometime real soon).
But in amongst all that, let's not forget the most important matter to be taken care of on Saturday. Three points.
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Such an occasion can either be a motivating factor for the players or a distraction to the main matter in hand. Jay DeMerit doesn't see it being the latter and is looking forward to a day of commemoration.
<i>"Anything can act as a distraction if you let it,"</i> the Caps' captain told AFTN on Thursday. <i>"The message this week is there's nothing wrong with having some fun with things and to take these types of occasions as something that matters, because it does.
"It's important to the fans, it's important to the Club and it's important to us as players to continue to try and grow this game and to keep trying to use occasions as this as building blocks to continue to make soccer better and an occasion we can all enjoy and appreciate how far it's come."</i>
According to a post on the Southsiders' forum, DeMerit is also set to lead the supporters in a Whitecaps chant before kick off on Saturday. Arranged by members of the Caps' various supporters' groups, the plan is to get the club captain to get fans on their feet and loud from the first kick. Unusual, but part of what is going to be a unique atmosphere all round.
<i>"It's a great occasion and it marks a really rich history at this club"</i> DeMerit continued to tell reporters. <i>"Obviously to be playing the Earthquakes, who were there in 1974 as well, it's a great step, I suppose, in the right direction for North American soccer and it's great that the Whitecaps are commemorative in that occasion."</i>
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