Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tim Parker gets a touching welcome home in NYC

Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps) - Mikey Lopez (New York City)

Once the dream of going pro becomes real, the next phase of that dream for many players is to see their family in the stands at a game.


Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tim Parker got that in a big way when his team traveled to face New York City FC recently. Parker, a native of Long Island and a second-year professional in MLS, had a very special (and large) cheering section there for him -- and the Whitecaps documented the occasion.


It wasnā€™t Parkerā€™s first time traveling to the New York City area; last year about 100 of his family and friends came out when the Whitecaps faced the New York Red Bulls, but he didnā€™t play.


This time around, however, Parker was a starter for Vancouver and it was something special. Watch the heartwarming mini-documentary below: