Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to return to BC Place this weekend for a Western Conference match against Los Angeles FC, with a crowd of over 35,000 expected. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT, and the club is marking the day as its 13th annual Pride Match presented by TELUS.
For Jack Holmes, the game is more than a date on the schedule. The 10-year-old member of the Southsiders will serve as Kid Captain for Saturday's match, after coming to Whitecaps games since he was almost two. He was diagnosed with autism and a rare genetic disorder at age four, and he now takes part in gymnastics, baseball, multisport and soccer through Canucks Autism Network.
The large turnout is part of what makes Saturday stand out. The Whitecaps are pairing the Pride Match with a full matchday push at BC Place, including the return of the Pride logo designed by local artist Brent Haddow and fan information meant to keep entry moving. Club officials and BC Place are asking supporters not to bring a bag to the stadium, a small instruction that carries extra weight when more than 35,000 people are expected to arrive at once.
There is still one practical question fans will be sorting out before first whistle: how much of that crowd is already locked in. Single-match tickets are still available, but the club has not said how many have been sold. What is clear is that Saturday is shaping up as one of the biggest home dates of the season, with LAFC in town, Pride on display and BC Place preparing for a packed evening.
