Whitecaps set to retire Neil's number five
June 5, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are pleased to announce today that the club will honour longtime Whitecaps midfielder Andrea Neil following Vancouver's W-League match against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, June 7, by retiring her number five. Neil, the all-time leader in games played for both her country and her club, announced her retirement from competitive soccer on December 4, 2007.
From 2001 to 2006, Neil was the heart of the Whitecaps women's side. She was the club's captain for the first six years of the franchise's existence and was a player/assistant coach for the last three seasons. In 2004 and 2006, Neil led the club to two USL W-League championships. She is not only the Whitecaps all-time leader in assists (22), minutes played (6,066) and games (69), Neil also ranks third for points (70), and is tied for third with goals (24) and game-winning goals (8).
The Vancouver, BC, native also enjoyed an extensive international career as well. Neil played for 18 years with Canada's women's national team, competing in four FIFA Women's World Cups, earning a record 132 caps and scoring 24 goals.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC also announce today the signing of Canadian international forward Christine Sinclair for Saturday's match. Sinclair is currently a member of Canada's women's national team residency program.
Sinclair will return to the Whitecaps lineup for the first time since helping Vancouver capture the 2006 W-League title. In three seasons with the Whitecaps, Sinclair has scored 21 goals and recorded 10 assists in 20 games.
The five-foot-nine native of Burnaby, BC, has earned 115 caps and scored a record 86 goals for her country. Sinclair, Canada's national team captain, has been named the Canadian women's soccer Player of the Year for three consecutive years. Sinclair turns 25 on June 12.
Saturday is the second Whitecaps doubleheader of the season at Swangard Stadium. At 4:00 p.m. the Whitecaps women (2-0-2) will kick off against their Pacific Northwest rivals of the W-League's Western Conference, the Seattle Sounders (1-0-1). The Whitecaps men will then battle the Portland Timbers at 7:00 p.m. Saturday is also a Wendy's Family Night - four tickets and two Wendy's Kids' Meals for only $48. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) for more information, or buy tickets at ticketmaster.ca.
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