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{{Fs player |no=15 |nat=CAN |pos=MF |name=[[Philippe Davies]]}}
{{Fs player |no=16 |nat=TAN |pos=MF |name=[[Nizar Khalfan]]}}
{{Fs player |no=16 |nat=TAN |pos=MF |name=[[Nizar Khalfan]]}}
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{{Fs player |no=18 |nat=USA |pos=GK |name=[[Jay Nolly]]}}
{{Fs player |no=18 |nat=USA |pos=GK |name=[[Jay Nolly]]}}
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{{Fs player |no=37 |nat=BRA |pos=FW |name=[[Camilo Sanvezzo]]}}
{{Fs player |no=37 |nat=BRA |pos=FW |name=[[Camilo Sanvezzo]]}}
{{Fs player |no=50 |nat=FRA |pos=DF |name=[[Mouloud Akloul]]}}
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Revision as of 13:17, 30 June 2011

For other uses, see Vancouver Whitecaps (disambiguation).
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Full nameVancouver Whitecaps FC
Nickname(s)'Caps, Blue and White[1]
Founded2009
GroundMarch–September 2011
Empire Field
Vancouver, British Columbia
September 30, 2011-
BC Place Stadium
Vancouver, British Columbia
Capacity
Empire Field: 27,528
BC Place Stadium: 22,000-54,500[2]
(based on configuration)
OwnersGreg Kerfoot
Steve Luczo
Jeff Mallett
Steve Nash
Head CoachTom Soehn
LeagueMajor League Soccer
Websitehttp://www.whitecapsfc.com/
Current season

Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada.

The Whitecaps are the 17th club of Major League Soccer and replace the USSF Division 2 team of the same name, which was owned and managed by the same group that operates the MLS team, and which played through the conclusion of that league's 2010 season. The MLS club is the third team to share the legacy of the Whitecaps name.

History

Main article: History of Vancouver Whitecaps FC

An ownership group in Vancouver were granted the seventeenth Major League Soccer franchise on March 18, 2009 by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.[3] While no name was provided at the Vancouver announcement, over a year later the club confirmed it would keep the Whitecaps name.[4][5][6][7]

In preparation for its first MLS season, the Whitecaps brought in executive talent from around the world. On November 24, 2009, Paul Barber, former Tottenham Hotspur F.C. executive, was announced to join the club as CEO. Others joining him include former D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn as Director of Operations and Dutch national Richard Grootscholten as the Technical Director and head coach of the residency program.

As the head coach of the USL and later USSF Division 2 Vancouver Whitecaps, former Iceland international Teitur Thordarson was confirmed as head coach on September 2, 2010 for the inaugural MLS season.[8] He was subsequently relieved of his duties on May 30, 2011 after the Whitecaps won just one of their first twelve matches. Tom Soehn, Whitecaps FC director of soccer operations, replaced Thordarson on an interim basis.[9]

The Whitecaps began play in the 2011 MLS season with their first match on March 19, 2011, against rival Canadians Toronto FC, which they won 4-2. The first goal in the Whitecaps' MLS era was scored by Eric Hassli[10]. After their winning start the Whitecaps stuggled, and failed to secure another victory in their next 11 MLS games, drawing six and losing five. In the aftermath of their 1-1 tie with the New York Red Bulls on May 30 head coach Teitur Thordardon was fired[11], and replaced for the rest of the season by Tom Soehn.

Colours and badge

On June 8, 2010, it was officially announced the club would continue using the "Whitecaps" name, but with a redesigned logo.[12] The name alludes to the geographic features surrounding the city: white-capped mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean's white-crested waves to the west.

The official club colours include navy blue ("deep sea"), white, and light blue ("Whitecaps blue"). The "deep sea" blue represents the maritime landscape of the Vancouver area and the "Whitecaps blue" indicates the reflection of the North Shore Mountains in the Pacific Ocean. The lighter shade of blue also alludes to the primary colour of the original Whitecaps, winners of Soccer Bowl 1979. The silver outline pays homage to the team's championship victories since 1974.[13]

On June 10, 2010, the Whitecaps strip package was unveiled with Bell Canada serving as the inaugural jersey sponsor.[14][15] The home shirt is white with horizontal, navy blue pinstripes; the stripes broaden slightly from bottom to top. The secondary shirt is deep blue with an embossed, interlocking diamond pattern which is also deep blue and is reflective in the light.

Stadium

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's temporary stadium at Empire Field.

Whitecaps FC will play most of their inaugural 2011 season at Empire Field, a temporary stadium built at the former site of Empire Stadium to house the BC Lions and the Whitecaps while BC Place Stadium is renovated and fitted with a new retractable roof. Empire Field has spectacular views of the mountains which ring the city of Vancouver, providing an immediately recognizable backdrop for Whitecaps games.

Once the BC Place project is completed (tentatively scheduled for October 2011), Whitecaps FC will make BC Place their home.

The organization initially hoped to build Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium in Gastown in time for the 2016 season, but its owner has reportedly committed to BC Place in light of stadium opposition.[16]

Club culture

The team sold the first 5,000 $50 season ticket deposits 48-hours after they became available to the public. Remaining season tickets were made available to season ticket holders for the USSF 2 Whitecaps before becoming available to non-season ticket holders.[17]

Supporters Groups

Whitecaps FC supporters celebrating 4-2 victory over Toronto FC at Empire Field during inaugural MLS match.
Main article: Vancouver Southsiders

The largest Whitecaps supporters group is known as the Southsiders. The group began in 1999 when fans of the Vancouver 86ers began congregating in the pitch-level beer garden behind the goal at the south end of Swangard Stadium.[18][19]

The Southsiders' relationship with the team's ownership has not always been amicable.[18] It has evolved since Vancouver received the MLS expansion team.[20] Images of the Southsiders are featured prominently in Whitecaps’ marketing campaigns. The group's board was invited to the invite-only launch of the kits and logo to be used in the MLS.[21][22] The expansion has also increased membership. The president of the organization said that it had grown from about 40 paid members to 100 paid in July 2010. He also believes there is no reason why the Southsiders cannot outdo the Seattle Sounders' Emerald City Supporters.[23] Southsider supporters are primarily located on the eastern-half of the southern stands of Empire Field.

Another group, "La Doce", formed in January 2011.[24] Their original name in Spanish is "La 12",[24] which can be translated into English as "The 12th" or "The 12th player". La 12 is formed by people from different nationalities that have a preference to support the Whitecaps in a Latin American, Southern European or Eastern European Style. The main feature of La 12 is its cheering style that features constant drumming and longer songs, resembling the way in which fans in South America or Southern or Eastern Europe like to support.[24] La 12 fans are primarily seated in the southeast corner of Empire Field.


Rivalries

The Vancouver Whitecaps have longstanding rivalries with both the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers.[25] The rivalries predate the MLS and have been an integral part of the soccer culture in the Pacific Northwest.[citation needed] Matches between these three teams are arguably the most passionate in all of MLS as each of these teams are well-supported by their respective cities.[citation needed]

The Vancouver Whitecaps have a similar rivalry with Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact. The former primarily due to two teams are the only Canadian teams in the MLS. The latter was a rival in the second division. The three teams have played each other during Voyageurs Cup competitions.[citation needed]

Broadcasting

In March 2011, Rogers Media announced that it had signed a 3-year deal with the team to broadcast 24 Whitecaps games per season. Telecasts will be aired on Rogers Sportsnet, Rogers Sportsnet One, and a single game on CKVU-TV, Vancouver's Citytv station.[26] TSN will also air select games nationally as a part of the network's new contract with MLS.[27][28]

Also announced this year, a radio partnership with TEAM Radio, a Bell Media company. Game are broadcast on TEAM 1410 with select games on TEAM 1040.[citation needed] Peter Schaad and Paul Dolan call the action with Joey Kenward, David Norman and Tyler Green a part of the pre- and post-match shows.

Players and staff

Current roster

As of June 10, 2011.[29]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK United States USA Joe Cannon
2 DF New Zealand NZL Michael Boxall
3 DF United States USA Bilal Duckett
4 DF Switzerland SUI Alain Rochat
6 DF United States USA Jay DeMerit (captain)
7 MF Canada CAN Terry Dunfield (vice-captain)
8 DF United States USA Wes Knight
9 FW Saint Kitts and Nevis SKN Atiba Harris
11 MF United States USA John Thorrington
12 MF United States USA Jeb Brovsky
13 MF United States USA Michael Nanchoff
14 DF United States USA Greg Janicki
15 MF Canada CAN Philippe Davies
16 MF Tanzania TAN Nizar Khalfan
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW United States USA Omar Salgado
18 GK United States USA Jay Nolly
19 DF United States USA Blake Wagner
20 MF Switzerland SUI Davide Chiumiento
22 MF United States USA Shea Salinas
23 FW China CHN Long Tan
24 GK United States USA Brian Sylvestre
25 DF United States USA Jonathan Leathers
27 MF Cameroon CMR Alexandre Morfaw
28 MF Ghana GHA Gershon Koffie
29 FW France FRA Eric Hassli
31 MF Canada CAN Russell Teibert
33 MF United States USA Peter Vagenas
37 FW Brazil BRA Camilo Sanvezzo

Reserve Team Players

This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve Division games, but are not part of the senior roster.[30]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
30 MF Switzerland SUI Bedri Gashi
33 DF Canada CAN La'Vere Corbin-Ong
34 MF Canada CAN Kevin Cobby
No. Pos. Nation Player
36 FW Mauritania MTN Doudou Touré
39 FW Saint Vincent and the Grenadines VIN Cornelius Stewart

Staff

Head coaches

Ownership

The Vancouver ownership group is composed of four men; Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett, and Steve Nash.[31] Kerfoot is the owner of the full Whitecaps FC organization (which owned the USSF 2 team as well as a women's team and several youth and developmental teams) and formerly the CEO of Crystal Decisions Software. Luczo is president/CEO/chairman of the board for Seagate Technology and part owner of the National Basketball Association's Boston Celtics. Mallett, a Vancouver native who was raised in Victoria, British Columbia, was formerly the president and COO of Yahoo! and is currently a part owner of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants. Nash, also raised in Victoria, is the starting point guard for the Phoenix Suns and two-time NBA MVP,[32] as well as the older brother of recently retired Whitecaps FC midfielder and current Whitecaps staff coach Martin Nash.

References

  1. ^ "Whitecaps FC legend Carl Valentine returns to the club". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 2010-12-07. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  2. ^ "WELCOME HOME, MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER". BC Place stadium. Retrieved 2010-11-29. And to create a more intimate and electric atmosphere, a flexible draping system is being considered that will reduce the seating capacity to 22,000.
  3. ^ "MLS awards Vancouver team for 2011". 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  4. ^ "It's official: Whitecaps joining MLS in 2011". The Vancouver Sun. 2009-03-18.
  5. ^ "MLS expected to announce Vancouver expansion team". CBC News. 2009-03-17.
  6. ^ "Whitecaps to announce they will join MLS in 2011". The Vancouver Sun. 2009-03-17.
  7. ^ "Whitecaps to announce MLS franchise secured". Canwest News Service. 2009-03-17.
  8. ^ whitecapsfc.com - Technical Staff
  9. ^ Vancouver Whitecaps FC (30 May 2011). "Whitecaps FC announce technical staff changes". WhitecapsFC. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  10. ^ Hassli, Whitecaps pummel TFC in dynamite debut
  11. ^ Whitecaps fire head coach Teitur Thordardon
  12. ^ "Whitecaps FC reveal new crest, season ticket information". MLSSoccer.com. 2010-06-08.
  13. ^ "'Caps unveil logo and ticket information". Whitecaps.com. June 8, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  14. ^ "Bell named Premier Founding Partner". Whitecaps.com. June 10, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  15. ^ "'Caps enter MLS era with new kit". Whitecaps.com. June 10, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  16. ^ "B.C. Place to see action by October". The Vancouver Province. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  17. ^ "First wave of Vancouver MLS ticket deposits gone" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 23, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.[dead link]
  18. ^ a b Weber, Marc (July 21, 2010). "Tradition guides fans to the future". The Province. Retrieved September 20, 2010.[dead link]
  19. ^ "Whitecaps fans vital to their future". The Vancouver Sun. September 6, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  20. ^ "Stiff test for Man U at Stamford Bridge". The Province. September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  21. ^ The Province.[dead link] Tradition Guides Fans Future [dead link]
  22. ^ Constantineau, Bruce (June 8, 2010). "MLS-bound Whitecaps unveil new logo". National Post. Retrieved September, 20 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)[dead link]
  23. ^ Constantineau, Bruce (July 17, 2010). "That's the ticket -- Caps' sales surge ahead of Timbers'". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved September 20, 2010.[dead link]
  24. ^ a b c Weber, Marc (March 16, 2011). "These Whitecaps fans hope to lend rhythm to MLS efforts". The Province. Vancouver. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  25. ^ Wahl, Grant (May 23, 2011). "A Pacific Passion Play: Big-time clubs left Portland, Seattle and Vancouver 30 years ago, but their fans never did. Now the teams are back in MLS, and their reborn rivalries are turning the region into a hotbed of the sport". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  26. ^ Vlessing, Etan. "Rogers SportsNet Grabs TV Soccer Package". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  27. ^ February 16, 2011 (2011-02-16). "MLS Announces TSN Partnership | Toronto FC". Torontofc.ca. Retrieved 2011-02-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "Canada sports network scores soccer deal | Entertainment | Reuters". Ca.reuters.com. 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  29. ^ "Roster -(Men's First Team)". Whitecaps.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  30. ^ http://www.mlssoccer.com/reserve-league-schedule
  31. ^ Simon Fudge (September 17, 2009). "Steve Nash trains with 'Caps Residency". Whitecaps.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  32. ^ "MLS awards Vancouver team for 2011". Whitecaps.com. March 18, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2011.

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