Jason Jordan Decides to Stay with Vancouver
Published on June 27, 2002 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER (Thursday, June 27, 2002) - After months of speculation and weeks of negotiation, striker Jason Jordan of Richmond B.C. has turned down an offer to sign with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Jordan is expected to be back in the Whitecaps line-up for this Friday's home game against the Calgary Storm, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. The 24-year-old is in his sixth year with Vancouver, and leads the team in scoring with 5 goals and no assists in 10 games. Three of his goals were game-winners.
After careful deliberation, Jordan flatly rejected the terms of the contract offered him by Major League Soccer, the single-entity circuit that was founded in 1996. Details of the contract offer have not been released. While MLS is positioned as the US first division, many top players have turned down offers to join MLS teams as they can often do better staying in the A-League.
"Jason is a quality player at the top of his game, and we're very happy that he's decided to stay," said Whitecaps General Manager Bob Lenarduzzi, "he's been a great goal scorer here, and we look forward to him continuing to delight fans and score goals for the remainder of the season."
Jordan had been the subject of interest by the Rapids since March when he spent time at the team's training camp and travelled with them on a pre-season European tour. He even scored a goal for Colorado in a 4-0 win over European powers Benfica in a March 5 exhibition game in Lisbon. At Colorado, Jordan would have been re-united with former team-mate Whitecaps Rick Titus, who has become a fixture on the Rapids defence since moving there in the off-season.
Jordan didn't travel with the Whitecaps on their recent road trip to Minnesota and Milwaukee, as his transfer to MLS was considered imminent.
Last year, Jordan led Vancouver in scoring with 9 goals and 8 assists in 22 games, and was named Supporter's Club Player of the Year. He ranks fifth in all-time scoring for Vancouver with 34 goals and 17 assists in 113 games, behind only Domenic Mobilio, John Catliff, Dale Mitchell, and Ivor Evans. Jordan also led the team in scoring in 1998.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 27, 2002
- Jason Jordan Decides to Stay with Vancouver - Vancouver Whitecaps
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