Abbotsford broadcaster bullish on Vancouver Whitecaps championship dreams

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in the midst of arguably the most successful Major League Soccer season in club history and a notable Abbotsford soccer figure has had a front row seat for the ride. Colin Miller, the technical director for the Abbotsford Soccer Association and a former Canadian national team captain, has been calling the action as the Whitecaps radio analyst since 2018 and shared that this season has already been the most exciting he’s been a part of. A new coach, the addition of international superstar Thomas Müller, an increase in attendance and a deep playoff run have all contributed to creating a memorable campaign for the Whitecaps. The club finished the MLS regular season in second place in the Western Conference with a record of 18-7-9 and next host Los Angeles FC in the semifinal round on Nov. 22. The Whitecaps also won the Canadian Championship for the fourth straight year on Oct. 1. View this post on Instagram Miller and broadcaster Asa Rehman have called the action on AM 730 since 2021 and prior to that he helped call the action on TSN Radio beginning in 2018. He said hiring Jesper Sørensen as head coach helped put a lot of things in place. The Danish bench boss joined the Whitecaps in January. “It’s remarkable how well he’s done,” Miller said, noting that this season is Sørensen’s first foray in the MLS . “He’s a very intelligent guy, very studious and personable and also forthcoming with answers from the media.” Miller said Sørensen has encouraged the Whitecaps to break more out of a defensive shell and dominate the possession game as much as possible. “He wants the Whitecaps to play and defend higher up the field so if they lose possession of the ball then they can win it back quickly as high up field as possible,” he said. “He also wants players to be brave in possession and if there’s an opportunity for a player to defend or attack – for the most part they are wanting that player to attack.” Miller added that inking Müller to a contract was a stroke of genius for the Whitecaps both on and off the pitch. Miller said that the German superstar has transformed into an ambassador for the team and the sport in the Lower Mainland. “He had options to go anywhere but I think the conversation he had with Jesper was massive because he wanted to know how this team was going to play,” he said. “He knew all about the city and what you see from him now is not a show. He’s very much into community and has been a terrific ambassador for the club and a great role model for the younger talent.” Müller is one piece of a strong Whitecaps team that also includes 2025 MLS defender of the year Tristan Blackmon, striker Brian White and defenders Édier Ocampo and Tate Johnson. Miller said the combination of quality coaching and talent has harvested the championship dreams of the Whitecaps. Attendance numbers have also been strong this season, with an average of 21,806 inside BC Place for the team’s 17 regular season home games. The club also drew 32,066 for their round one game against FC Dallas on Oct. 26. Miller said he thinks the Whitecaps could hit over 40,000 against LAFC on Nov. 22. “You have two very attack minded teams going to have a bash at each other,” Miller said of the semifinal. “It’s a shame that this can’t be the final.” Miller said he’s also encouraged by the growing popularity of AM 730’s coverage of the Whitecaps games. Engagement and interaction with fans is up and the post-game show has also become an important part of their broadcast. He continues to serve in his role with the ASA and brings forth locally all his experience both on the pitch as a player and as a coach from his time with clubs like the Whitecaps, FC Edmonton, the Victoria Highlanders FC and the former Abbotsford Rangers. Miller was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005 and wore the red and white for Canada 61 times from 1983 to 1997. For more on the Whitecaps, visit whitecapsfc.com.