Because soccer isn't gay, but once in awhile it kinda is.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Cascadia Supporters Mark International Day Against Homophobia
05/20/13
Supporters groups in Cascadia marked Friday’s International Day Against Homophobia with displays in the stands Saturday in Vancouver and Seattle.
For Vancouver it was a draw against Cascadia rivals Portland, but just as the Timbers Army had a week earlier, the Southsiders displayed an anti-homophobia banner:
VancouverSouthsiders.ca
Vancouver Whitecaps: Jersey Week 2013
03/01/13
MLSSoccer.com
The Vancouver Whitecaps released a new home jersey this week, and it takes a new angle on their first MLS kit from two years ago.
I say angle because it takes the thin stripes of the last edition and tilts them to lineup with the, well, whitecaps of the Vancouver Whitecaps crest. It’s a really nice change and I also like that the color change of the stripes goes from darker at top to lighter at the bottom. The old one had lighter stripes at the top.
I don’t like the collar. The off center color change just bothers me. It doesn’t work and there would have been numerous better ways to include both blues in it.
For good measure, here’s defender and captain Jay DeMerit looking all kinds of fine both in and out of the new kit:
Jordan Harvey: Off the Pitch and Up in the Air
10/16/12
The Vancouver Whitecaps kicked off their Off the Pitch web series with captain Jay DeMerit learning some tap dance moves. They continue with defender and soccer ally Jordan Harvey taking to the skies with some beginner pilot lessons.
The idea of the Off the Pitch series is to pair Whitecaps players with fans who have a unique talent or career to share.
Jordan Harvey is the second brave participant, taking the controls of a small aircraft along with Whitecaps fan Kristjan Aug. And it’s all done to a Loggins-esque soundtrack complete with Berlin’s classic Top Gun Ballad.
Now, if you guys want to go full-on Top Gun, maybe shirtless beach volleyball can make an appearance in a future installment.
You can read more about Jordan Harvey’s flight and the Off the Pitch series at the Caps website.
Jay DeMerit and Jazz Hands!
10/08/12
The Vancouver Whitecaps are launching a new video series called “Off the Pitch,” and captain Jay DeMerit is the star of the inaugural episode.
The idea is for Whitecaps fans to Tweet their hobbies and jobs to the team, and they will film your favorite player learning a bit about your interest.
Jay DeMerit is the team guinea pig for the project as a member of the front office staff takes him along for a lesson in tap dancing.
Check out Jay and his newly found freestyle tap skills:
What other talents to you want to see from the Whitecaps players?
Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey, and Michael Boxall in the NOH8 Campaign
07/25/12
In early May, the NOH8 Campaign made a swing through Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. At their Vancouver stop, Whitecaps defenders and allies Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey, and Michael Boxall (now with the Wellington Phoenix) all participated.
The NOH8 Campaign began as a silent protest to Proposition 8 in California, but has continued on since then to stand up for not only marriage, but all human equality.
It’s a great testament to the dedication of these players to the cause of equality that they took the time out of their schedules to be a part of the Vancouver event.
Vancouver’s New Secret Weapon: Joe Cannon in Short Shorts
07/05/12
After a thwomping in Los Angeles, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ five-game road trip continued with a 1-0 Independence Day victory over the Colorado Rapids.
Could the secret to their shutout success be goalkeeper and soccer ally Joe Cannon’s extremely short shorts?
Cannon took some pride in his clothing choice on Twitter after the game:
Great result tonight!! Who wears short shorts???? #WhitecapFC #joecannonshortshorts
— Joe Cannon (@JoeCannonGK1) July 5, 2012
Soccer Ally May: Vancouver Whitecaps
05/25/12
It’s our last day of recruitment from MLS teams in May for our Allies List and it’s going to be fun going through all the results over the weekend to report back next week.
Our final team is the Vancouver Whitecaps, who also have a half-dozen allies.
Matt Watson and Brad Knighton both joined the list in February, while Sebastien LeToux became a member in March. In addition to signing on via Twitter, Jay DeMerit and Jordan Harvey were joined by teammate Michael Boxall at the NOH8 Campaign photo shoot in Vancouver this month. Thank you all!
Who will be next? Will our MLS recruitment month end with a bang or a whimper? Help reach out to the players below!
We’re gay4vancouverdefenders.
05/10/12
Chabala, Lahoud, Braun, Wingert, and Dunseth. These are the American soccer pros who have participated in the NOH8 Campaign prior to this week.
We are immensely proud, happy, and grateful that Vancouver Whitecaps defenders Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey, and Michael Boxall all joined them by participating in NOH8 while they were in town this week.
Originally started as a protest to Proposition 8 passing in California, it is now a silent protest working toward LGBT equality in all realms.
NOH8 co-founder Jeff Parshley talked about the project at the shoot Tuesday night:
Thank you Jay, Jordan, and Michael! We look forward to seeing the results!
Vancouver Fans and Players show Homophobia and Racism the Red Card
03/28/12
Red cards were in the stands (and should have been on the pitch) at Bell Pitch in Downtown Vancouver on Saturday.
It was the first Independent Supporters Council action held at BC Place – Show Racism (and Homophobia) the Red Card! - To commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. As mentioned in Fridays post, the Southsiders included Homophobia in this action, which was even more poignant given the Colin Clark incident from the night before.
The Southsiders cut out a couple hundred red cards for fans to hold up between the anthems and the kick-off. My dad — always a good sport — even came prepared with his own cards cut out of construction paper that he had made at home — what a keener. The club made a special announcement over the PA explaining the action which got a resounding hand from both teams on the pitch.
Earlier in the week, the team showed their support for the cause. Photo credit: Chris Vosie (Photo courtesy of Chris Vosie and the Southsiders forum)
The game was heated with multiple shady tackles, terrible calls and a near full line brawl complete with pushing, shoving and what looked like an errant swing (and miss) by a DC player resulting in only a Yellow to Hassli. Thousands of fans in the stadium were offering the Ref, Kevin Stott, red cards from their pockets to show to McDonald for the swing at Hassli – it made for quite the spectacle. MLS is going to need to solve their reffing issue if the league wants to be taken seriously.
Vancouver Whitecaps Supporters to Show Homophobia the Red Card Tomorrow
03/23/12
Keep an eye on the southeast corner of BC Place this Saturday night as the Southsiders have a special display prepared in recognition of The International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this week.
From their website:
On March 24, at the Vancouver Whitecaps v DC United match, after the National Anthem, we will raise red cards to show unity against racism and homophobia in soccer around world and here in Canada. We are hoping all Whitecaps supporters and fans will join to recognize this International Day and take a stand against Racism. The Independent Supporters Council are working with all its member groups to ensure that the same Tifo is displayed in stadiums across the entire league.
While this is a project of the Independent Supporters Council, the Southsiders are the first we’ve seen to include a stand against homophobia as part of their display, and to do so very publicly, speaking with media about their plans this week.
Bravo Southsiders!
