VANCOUVER, B.C. – With less than a week before kickoff, the city of Vancouver has officially been taken over by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
On Feb. 17, the club began a 30-Day Countdown that has captured the imagination of Vancouverites, and even made a clever jab at some of the future MLS competition.
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[inline_node:330519]The countdown has seen landmarks around the city decorated in Whitecaps FC gear, the club’s staff showing off their soccer skills, women giving their opinions on the team’s hunkiest players, and an American Idol-style competition to find a national anthem singer.
The promotional videos have also featured local celebrities such as NHL Canucks great Trevor Linden and current Canucks star Daniel Sedin, BC Lions hall of fame kicker Lui Passaglia, famous chef Umberto Menghi, award-winning DJ Kemo and Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams.
The campaign has visited local establishments in the community, including Cafe Roma, Fratelli’s bakery – where they received a special Whitecaps FC cake – and Tojo’s Restaurant for some sushi. They also made stops on Grouse Mountain to check out some snowboarding, and at a local elementary school – where defender Mouloud Akloul got the star treatment.
On Day 10, the club body-painted the Whitecaps FC kit onto a model for a billboard that went up the following day on Granville and Robson Streets – one of downtown Vancouver’s busiest corners – and Day 7 saw a 3D projection displayed on the side of nearby Sears.
Other videos include: a creative piece about kids sneaking into Empire Field, a group of freestyle soccer tricksters roaming the city, long-time fans reminiscing about following the team in the 70s, a message from Seattle Sounders FC’s Kasey Keller, a preview of the drumming ceremony for the opening match, and a look at the arrival of Designated Player Eric Hassli.
With only a few videos left before the season starts, fans are still left wondering...
Will goalkeeper Joe Cannon be shot out of a cannon?
