Sports stats



MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver Marks One-Year Countdown To Major League Soccer

March 25, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Today, marks the one-year countdown to Vancouver's return to the highest level of North American professional soccer. A mere 365 days remain until Vancouver joins Major League Soccer (MLS) as the league's 17th franchise in 2011. MLS president Mark Abbott, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson were joined by Vancouver Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber and president Bob Lenarduzzi to mark the historic date at the Whitecaps head office in downtown Vancouver.

"We're excited to have Vancouver as our 17th team in Major League Soccer in 2011," said MLS president Abbott. "With Portland also joining MLS next year, our 16th season promises to be an exciting and memorable one; rekindling those traditional soccer rivalries that exist between Vancouver, Portland, and Seattle - and more recently Toronto - will make for great soccer, and will help set the stage for historic battles in the years to come."

Tonight also marks the start of the 15th MLS season, as second-year club Seattle Sounders FC host expansion side Philadelphia Union in front of more than 35,000 fans at Qwest Field. The Sounders are coming off a highly successful first season in the league, having led MLS with the highest averaged attendance (31,203) during the 2009 season. Tonight's match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. PT.

"British Columbians are excited to see their own Major League Soccer franchise under the new retractable roof at BC Place Stadium," said Premier Campbell. "We have seen remarkable support for our Canadian athletes competing in the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and I'm confident that the entire Province will get behind the Whitecaps to cheer them on to the MLS Cup."

Vancouver will kick off their inaugural season at a 27,500-seat temporary stadium at the Pacific National Exhibition's Empire Fields. Later in the season, the club will move to the new BC Place following a $458 million renovation of the stadium. The renovations to BC Place include new lower-bowl soccer-specific seating, concessions, washrooms, hospitality areas, field surface, improved access for persons with disabilities, the redevelopment of all common spaces, and a significant reduction in the building's energy consumption. The defining features will include the first centrally-hung electronic scoreboard and retractable roof in MLS.

"Hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games showed to the world just how much passion the people of Vancouver have for sports," said Mayor Robertson. "I know that the enthusiasm and spirit we've seen these past few weeks will carry over to 2011 when Vancouver joins Major League Soccer. As an avid fan and player, I cannot wait for Vancouver to reclaim its place as the home to one of the top professional soccer clubs in North America."

"We're very excited to be a year away from starting a new chapter in our club's history," said Whitecaps CEO Barber. "As a newcomer to the city, it's been inspiring to see and hear people talk about their passion for sport. History shows us that soccer is something that people care deeply about here - it's a city that's home to great athletes and great fans - and the Whitecaps intend to continue to support and to encourage that passion in the community. I'm delighted I have the opportunity to help continue to grow the club, with the support of such a dedicated ownership group."

In March 2009, five thousand deposits for Vancouver MLS 2011 season tickets sold out in less than 48 hours. With the next phase of deposits still to be announced, fans are encouraged to join the Vancouver MLS 2011 waitlist or earn priority purchase rights for Vancouver's inaugural MLS season by purchasing 2010 Whitecaps season tickets. Starting at $270, season tickets include all men's and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, as well as Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact. For more information on the 2010 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.

Check out the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from March 25, 2010


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.

OurSports Central