Whitecaps to host Los Angeles Galaxy on October 3rd
Published on April 18, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
After much speculation, we are pleased to announce that your 2006 USL First Division champion Vancouver Whitecaps will host David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones and the Los Angeles Galaxy in exhibition play on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. The international friendly is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. at BC Place Stadium. Seating configuration at BC Place will be limited to the lower bowl; however, if demand permits select upper bowl seating may become available.'
Tickets for the October 3rd exhibition match at BC Place are included in Whitecaps season tickets and 5-Game Packs. Whitecaps season tickets start at just $199 and 5-Game Packs start at $89. In addition to their included seats for the exhibition match, season ticket and 5-game package holders also receive advance purchase rights for addtional tickets. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) to secure the best seats for this event.
"We are thrilled to bring such a highly anticipated event to Vancouver this year," said Lenarduzzi. "The Galaxy boasts a star-studded roster which includes David Beckham - one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world. The match against the Galaxy will be the culmination of an amazing year of soccer in British Columbia, including the Whitecaps defence of both the men's and women's USL titles, and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in host cities Burnaby and Victoria."
Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Galaxy are one of the ten original MLS teams. MLS is now comprised of 13 teams across North America. The Galaxy have played out of The Home Depot Center in Carson, California since 2003, and are widely considered one of the most successful clubs in MLS. They have advanced to the final of the MLS Cup five times, winning in 2002 and 2005. They won the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions Cup in 2000, and the U.S. Open Cup in 2001 and 2005.
Last January, the Galaxy altered the soccer landscape in North America when they announced that world-renowned icon David Beckham would be joining the team after his contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30, 2007. Beckham, who turns 32 on May 2nd, is celebrated throughout the world for his unparalleled abilities on the pitch - evidenced during his tenure with Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the English national team - and for his overall contributions to the sport.
Beckham's resume includes 94 appearances for England, fifth all-time. He has scored 17 goals for his country. In addition, he has twice been the runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award (in 1999 and 2001), and was a member of Manchester United's 1999 UEFA Champions League winning team.
"We are very pleased to be able to bring the Galaxy to Vancouver and take on the defending USL First Division champion Whitecaps," said Los Angeles Galaxy Assistant General Manager Tom Payne. "We would like to thank the Whitecaps organization for all of their hard work and dedication to bringing a first class international friendly to the soccer fans of British Columbia."
The former coach of Canada's men's national team, Frank Yallop, took over the Galaxy coaching reigns on June 7, 2006. In addition to Beckham, the Galaxy's roster includes a number of USA national team members including two of the USA's most capped players: midfielder Cobi Jones, who has played 164 games and scored 15 goals for his country; and forward Landon Donovan, who has 88 caps and 30 goals. The Galaxy's roster also includes two Canadians defenders: Ante Jaziæ from Bedford, Nova Scotia; and former Whitecaps player Kevin Harmse, who currently resides in Coquitlam, BC.
Single game tickets for the exhibition match will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, June 9 and will start at $35.
USL First Division Stories from April 18, 2007
- Whitecaps to host Los Angeles Galaxy on October 3rd - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Thunder To Host AC Milan's Primavera Squad As Part Of PSA Minnesota Classic Soccer Tournament - Minnesota Thunder
- Timbers To Host AC Milan's U-21 Squad At PGE Park June 19 - Portland Timbers
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