#VancouverAway. Over the years of many Cascadia battles between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, one of the favorite traveling spots for the Timbers Army has been the city of Vancouver, BC.
With the second leg of the Timbers’ Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals against the Caps happening at BC Place in downtown Vancouver on Sunday (7pm PT, FOX Sports 1), it presents another opportunity for #AwayDayLegends to be born.
But what is it about the city to the Great White North that makes it such an interesting place to visit? Where does the Timbers Army go while there? What are some favorite spots to visit? And what does it feel like on a matchday for a Timbers supporter in Vancouver? If I’m a Timbers fan heading to the game, where do I find my kindred spirits?
We asked some #VancouverAway veterans of the Timbers Army to find out and here is their visiting fan guide to Vancouver, BC:
If Seattle is the hated rival and Vancouver is the friendly rival, what makes the city of Vancouver a favorite place to visit for traveling Timbers Army?
Poutine. Pho. Ramen. Japadog. Oh you meant something other than the food?
It's just a fun city to visit. Vancouver and Portland are really kindred spirits in many ways with Seattle being the odd middle child. The one big difference between us being Vancouver is more of an international city than Portland and that diversity makes for the excellent aforementioned food choices. Some of us call it Canadian Vegas because we seem to only eat and drink while we're there.
The food, nightlife, exchange rate, museums, Stanley Park, the super nice Canadians... It's really one of our favorite away day cities. Not to mention their stadium is "Our House. In the Middle of B.C!"
If you’ve only got an afternoon in Vancouver as a visiting fan, what’s the one thing not to miss?
Start with renting a bike in the morning. Then head over for a nice long ride along the sea wall at Stanley Park (don't forget to see the beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium) and then back over to the Commercial Drive district for an espresso and some food. Commercial Drive is a crazy blend of Italian restaurants owned/run by actual Italians and "Hawthorne-esque" eateries and shops. Then head to St. Augustine's Craft Brew House for a pint from a great selection of Vancouver/B.C. based craft brewers to end the day.
The food on Davie Street (all the good poutine) and on Robson Street (from Japadog to Santouka Ramen) and/or a brewery tour are good options too. If you're a coffee connoisseur, Revolver Coffee where they do coffee as flights of different coffees or one coffee in different pours. It’s educational and tasty.
Any favorite pubs or restaurants you recommend that the Timbers Army haunts?
The Timbers Army pub in Vancouver is The Railway Club. They've been great partners for us over the years. Doolin's Irish Pub is also a hangout for us and we usually have a meet up with some Whitecaps supporters the night before the match.
What’s the pregame feeling like in Vancouver on your way to the match?
Buzzzzzing! We distribute tickets at The Railway Club a few hours before the match, so there is a constant stream of excited Timbers Army folks sharing beers and just generally getting pumped for the match. We all leave from The Railway about 90 minutes before kick and walk over to the stadium together, chanting, waving flags and good-naturedly giving any Whitecaps fans a hard time along the way. It's a fun, festive atmosphere.
This is our strongest and most cohesive away pre-gaming. From gathering at one place to march in and taking over Vancouver streets, it's fantastic.
Any tifo plans you can share or at least hint at?
First rule of tifo club...Shhhhhh.
