Series Announced
May 21, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League (GMSL), announced today the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series. The series, presented by BC Hydro, takes the three Whitecaps W-League regular season stand-alone matches and gives them a unique community flavour.
"The impact of our Whitecaps women on young girls and the growth of the game cannot be overstated," said Whitecaps director of professional teams Greg Anderson. "Taking our elite women's team into the community, as part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series, will help to grow the game and connect the team with the community and its partners."
The first match of the series will be on Sunday, June 28, at Mercer Stadium in New Westminster, BC, against Colorado Force. On Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1), the Whitecaps will battle Ventura County Fusion at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC. The third match, which is the Whitecaps women's last regular season home game, will be played at Percy Perry Stadium at Town Centre Park in Coquiltam, BC, versus Real Colorado Cougars. All matches will kick off at 4 p.m. PDT.
"Together, the Whitecaps and the GMSL can provide key stepping stones and foundations for the best players to excel in girls and women's soccer," said GMSL vice-chairman Steve Allen. "Working with our member districts and teams, we look forward to working with the Whitecaps on making the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series a success."
In addition to the action on the pitch, the Whitecaps will host free pre-match clinics and halftime mini games for local youth. There will also be post-match autograph sessions with the Whitecaps women's players. Tickets for the matches at Mercer Stadium and Percy Perry Stadium are only $5 each, while tickets for the Canada Day match at Swangard Stadium are available for $15.
The Whitecaps women kicked off their ninth season in the USL W-League with a 1-1 draw last Saturday, May 16, versus Seattle Sounders women. Since their inaugural season in 2001, the Whitecaps have qualified for the playoffs seven out of eight seasons, and have won two W-League championship titles in 2004 and 2006. For information on tickets, please call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.
Girls Metro Soccer League
The GMSL is the elite youth soccer league in British Columbia that includes over 1,000 U-14 to U-18 girls on sixty teams over six districts. The GMSL has helped produce players for the BC Soccer provincial team program, Canada's national team program, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC youth and senior teams. Notable players include Monica Lam-Feist, Jodi-Ann Robinson, Sophie Schmidt, Katie Thorlakson, Brittany Timko, and Emily Zurrer.
USL First Division Stories from May 21, 2009
- Portland takes four-game unbeaten streak on the road - Portland Timbers
- Miami FC Continues its Road Trip - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Series Announced - Vancouver Whitecaps
- RailHawks wrap up road trip in Cleveland - North Carolina FC
- Battery squares off against Rhinos - Charleston Battery
- City Stars Host Carolina RailHawks and Former Coach Martin Rennie - Cleveland City Stars
- RailHawks Partner with Nutrition Provider - North Carolina FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
