Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

May 20, 2016 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C - Trophies not friendlies, that's what Vancouver Whitecaps supporters want, but it's not exactly what they'll be getting when the Whitecaps play Crystal Palace on July 19, at BC Place. The first Whitecaps international friendly since 2011 was announced on Thursday as part of the Friendship Cup. Fans don't seem all that enthused about a Premier League side coming to Vancouver to play their beloved Whitecaps FC. While the fans are on the fence, players couldn't be more chuffed.



"When I found out the news yesterday, I was excited about getting the chance to play against Premier League opposition," said Fraser Aird. "It's fantastic for this club, it'll show the boys, and the club where we want to be with some players aspiring to go and play in England and the standard that they need to set to get the opportunity to do that. They have plenty of internationals that have been in the Premier League for a while that have played at a really good level. It will be a great test for us. It's an exciting time for Vancouver."



The Whitecaps will be in the midst of a challenging schedule in mid July as they host a trio of matches at BC Place before playing Crystal Palace. Colorado visits on Saturday July 9, Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, July 13, and Orlando City SC on Saturday, July 16. When you have that many matches all at once and a trip to Houston on July 23, you can see why fans might be bothered with this particular friendly. The main concern is injuries, over use of players, and basically... what's the point of hosting an international friendly if it's not going to be against a top top team that's recognizable all over the world.



We'll be playing 3 teams on the pre-season tour:

- 13/7: @PhilaUnion.

- 16/7: @fccincinnati.

- 19/7: @WhitecapsFC. pic.twitter.com/jvvLnmwkuE — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 19, 2016 It's all about the experience and helping get exposure for the Whitecaps. You never know what kind of doors and opportunities could be opened from having this match take place. Perhaps more loans, trials, and even a transfer between both clubs. Exposing both clubs to a different environment and setup is key to building relationships and learning more about how the game is played.



"It gives us a chance for everyone to get a game," said Fraser Aird. "We're going to have plenty of games like last week, where we played Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. It's going to be tough and it going to be no different when we play against them. Three games in one week, we need to get use to that, we're fit enough and that's what we worked hard for in preseason. For the fans, I think it'll be a great experience for them to come out and watch an English Premier League side. You don't often get that in Vancouver. They'll be brilliant big names on display in that game and hopefully they can come out and support us."



In his many travels across the globe, Pa-Modou Kah has never played against Crystal Palace, he is not familiar with any Palace players. Kah sees this match as a potential eye opener for his fellow teammates that one day would like to play in Europe. This will be a great test for the Whitecaps and a real chance to see what playing an English Premier League team is all about.



"It's always nice, and from club perspective it's really good, and for the players also, because we have young players who are dreaming about playing in Europe. Now to get the chance to test themselves against a team from the Premiership, I think it's a good way to measure themselves in terms of where they are quality wise and tactically wise. I think it's good and also for the city of Vancouver. They had Manchester City a couple of years ago (2011) and it's good."



The concerns that fans have has not gone unnoticed by the Caps veteran centre-back. Yes, he understands the counter-point and trophies not friendlies debate, but in the grand scheme he also wants trophies. Playing Crystal Palace will help the Caps improve and even it that's just by a small margin, that's important. You always want to be playing competition at a higher level. Yeah, it's not Leicester City, Manchester City, Arsenal or Spurs, but Crystal Palace is no slouch. They're playing in the FA Cup Final!!



"I think the fans are always positive", said Kah, "but if you understand, they also want trophies like we want to win trophies. It's not only fans, but if you look at it from a club perspective, I think it's a very good gesture to see a team like Crystal Palace that wants to come here and play. I think for the players, like I said, it's a good measurement for Vancouver to get a little bit of exposure in Europe about us. I think from a fans perspective, of course every fan wants their club to win trophies and that is our aim as players as well."



Crystal Palace has been playing in England's top flight for the past four seasons. They finished 15th in the table this season, but still have one more important fixture left to play. Manager Alan Pardew will see his team compete in the FA Cup Final vs Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 20. Fraser Aird will surely be watching the match and could very well be supporting Scottish and Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur.



"Yeah I know a few of them, obviously I'm a big football fan," revealed Aird. "I watch the EPL all the time. Actually one of the boys has the same agent as me, James McArthur. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play against him. Obviously a good Scottish boy, plays in the national team for Scotland."



Carl Robinson has made his FA Cup Final prediction and he is going with an upset special with Crystal Palace to defeat Manchester United. The Welsh gaffer isn't shy about supporting Crystal Palace's three players with Welsh heritage. Robinson, is very familiar with Palace and even turned down a chance to play for the club in 2003.



"I know them very well, you talk about the three Welsh guys that are there, Joe Ledley, Wayne Hennessey, and Jonny Williams. You talk about the boy (Yohan) Cabaye they bought from Paris Saint-Germain, a fantastic player. It shows the progression of Crystal Palace as a football club. I'll be excited to see them in preseason and more importantly we'll try and win, because it's a competitive game. It's a game that we want to put on a good show for our players and they'll get to see what the standard is really like."



All in all the fans play a big part of any football club. They look at the big picture just as the organization does. The Whitecaps are playing this match for experience, exposure and opportunity. If some of the younger lads like a Bustos, Froese, Adekugbe, Flores, Teibert, Mezquida, Parker, and Aird can play 30 or 45 minutes that's fantastic, it's not going to hurt the club in MLS play.



What does hurt, is comments made by Crystal Palace's Alan Pardew concerning the level of football knowledge among North American fans. To assume that supporters should be happy with any English Premier League side coming to play is unacceptable. Those kind of comments hurt the game, and don't paint Pardew or his club in a positive light to fans over here who love the game.



Hopefully #VWFC fans give @CPFC manager Alan Pardew a warm welcome for his insulting comments about Vancouver football fans. — Matthew Bleasdale (@mattbleasdale) May 20, 2016 Carl Robinson gave his thoughts when asked by Red Nation Online.



"We've got very knowledgeable fans over here, very keen soccer fans that have an interest and have good opinions on the game, which we like. They'll get to express their opinions not just this week, next week, the week after, and for years to come, as well."