Vancouver Whitecaps (1986–2010)
For information about the original NASL team, see Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL).
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| Full name | Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | 'Caps | ||
| Founded | 1986 | ||
| Ground | Swangard Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 5,288 | ||
| Chairman |  Bob Lenarduzzi | ||
| Manager |  Teitur Þórðarson | ||
| League | USL First Division | ||
| 2008 | 2nd place USL playoff Champions | ||
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Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer team, founded in 1986. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.
History
They currently play at the Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia, 7 miles east of downtown Vancouver. The team is currently coached by Teitur Þórðarson. The team's colors are blue and white.
The team was originally known as the Vancouver 86ers of both the A-League and, prior to that, the Canadian Soccer League (CSL). In addition to its men's side the Whitecaps also field a women's team, Vancouver Whitecaps Women, in the USL W-League, and two developmental teams: Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, in the USL Premier Development League, and the Whitecaps FC Prospects, in the Pacific Coast Soccer League.
Along the developmental lines, the club has also added three Super Y-League teams. Coastal WFC, Mountain WFC and Surrey WFC. This league operates U13, U14, U15, U16 and U17 divisions for both boys and girls. [1]
Current squad
As of November 25, 2008
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Team Staff
Executive
President
Chief Operating Officer
Management
Director of Sales
Sales Account Manager
Soccer Ambassador
Manager Ticket Operations
Director Sponsorship Sales and Service
Director Fundraising
Manager Sponsorship & Event Production
Director Marketing & Communications
Manager Broadcast and Communications
Manager Marketing
Whitecaps Correspondent
Webmaster & Multimedia Specialist
Statistician
Club Photographer
Director Event Management
Manager Event Operations
Manager Office & Team Operations
Accountant
Director Professional Teams
Soccer Operations Administrator
Administrator Youth Development
Soccer Operations
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Goalkeeping Coach
Managing Director Residency Program
Manager Women's Team
Director Youth Development
Head Coach Boys Prospects
Manager Equipment (Men's)
Head Coach Girls Prospects
Manager Equipment (Youth)
Transfers 2008/2009
In Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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History
Vancouver 86ers
In 1986, a professional soccer team was again launched in Vancouver, the Vancouver 86ers -- so named because of both the year of the team's founding and to commemorate the year Vancouver was founded (1886). The 86ers played in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) winning 4 straight CSL Championships (1988-1991) and 5 consecutive CSL regular-season first-place finishes (1988–92). In 1990 the Vancouver 86ers captured the North American Club Championship after defeating the Maryland Bays 3-2 in the final played in Burnaby. The game was played between the champions of the Canadian Soccer League and the champions of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). Vancouver played in the CSL from its inception in 1987 until it folded in 1992, and then moved over to the APSL in 1993 which was later absorbed into the USL hierarchy of leagues in 1997 becoming the A-League, later renamed the USL.
In 1988–1989, the team, coached by Bob Lenarduzzi, set a North American professional sports record by playing 46 consecutive games without a loss.[1]
Vancouver Whitecaps (USL)
In 2001, the team reverted back to the old Vancouver Whitecaps moniker (signifying both the 'white caps' of the nearby mountains, and the waves of the Pacific Ocean). The Whitecaps currently practise on the new turf field at Simon Fraser University.
In 2003 the name was again changed, albeit only slightly, to Whitecaps F.C. which encompasses the men's, women's, and youth development teams within the organization. At this time, the Whitecaps logo changed slightly in colour (the light teal-green was replaced with a brighter blue) and the word "Vancouver" was dropped from the image.
In 2006, the Whitecaps organization won an unprecedented double-championship, claiming both the USL Division 1 men's trophy and winning the W-League women's trophy. The men's team also won the Nation's Cup, a new tournament established by their club as a way to feature the Whitecaps playing against international competition. The 2006 Nation's Cup tournament featured the Chinese and Indian U-20 National teams and Championship Welsh club Cardiff City F.C. (the "Bluebirds").
The following season, the Whitecaps signed a deal to play an exhibition match against the L.A. Galaxy, now featuring international superstar David Beckham, and promoted Director of Soccer Operations Bob Lenarduzzi to team president.
Over the past several seasons, the club have gradually reverted back to the name "Vancouver Whitecaps F.C.", adding the "Vancouver" back into their name.
In 2008, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed their second United Soccer Leagues First Division championship in three seasons after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico Islanders on Sunday afternoon on October 12, 2008. In front of a sold-out and enthusiastic Swangard Stadium crowd, Charles Gbeke became the Whitecaps hero, as he scored twice with his head in the second half to secure Vancouver's first league title since the USL-1 Championship Final success of 2006 when The Blue & White defeated hosts Rochester Rhinos 3-0 at PAETEC Park.
The Whitecaps and Major League Soccer
MLS commissioner Don Garber says Vancouver is a potential market for expansion but wants more information on renovations to BC Place Stadium. On May 16, 2008, the provincial government announced that B.C. Place is getting a facelift that includes a retractable roof. The move affords the Whitecaps the opportunity to bid for a Major League Soccer franchise. "There is no doubt the market for professional soccer exists in Vancouver, as we saw last November when nearly 50,000 fans attended the exhibition match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Whitecaps, " Garber said. [2] According to the Vancouver Sun newspaper, Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi confirmed on June 24, 2008 that Steve Nash has been in discussions with owner Greg Kerfoot about the two-time NBA MVP's involvement in helping Vancouver secure a Major League Soccer expansion team.[3]
On July 24, 2008, the MLS announced they were seeking to add two expansion franchises for the 2011 season.[4] One day later, the Whitecaps officially announced that they were pursuing one of the two expansion slots. The Whitecaps also announced that local sports icon, Steve Nash, will join the Whitecaps ownership team.[5]
Vancouver's bid was officially submitted on October 15, 2008, along with bids from 6 other cities.[6] Whitecaps representatives Greg Kerfoot and Jeff Mallett met with MLS officials on November 21, 2008 to go over their bid. Don Garber, who was previously involved in National Football League expansion, described the bid presentation as, "one of the best I've ever seen."[7] The two winning bids for expansion franchises will be announced early 2009.[8]
Rival clubs
The Vancouver Whitecaps have two bitter rivals, the Pacific Northwest Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders. These three teams compete in the yearly Cascadia Cup.
The Whitecaps also compete on a yearly basis with the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC for the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The winner of this series advances to the CONCACAF Champions League.
Fans
The two biggest supporters' groups are the Southsiders (so named for the south end of the field where they congregate), and the Blue and White Brigade (who congregate in the grandstand), both of whom often chant and sing. The Southsiders are something of a tradition at Swangard Stadium and are easily the most vocal and loyal component of the Whitecaps' support base.
Average Attendance
| Year | Regular Season |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 5,993 |
| 1988 | 4,919 |
| 1989 | 4,572 |
| 1990 | 4,218 |
| 1991 | 4,579 |
| 1992 | 4,344 |
| 1993 | 4,853 |
| 1994 | 4,742 |
| 1995 | 4,492 |
| 1996 | 3,634 |
| 1997 | 3,558 |
| 1998 | 4,185 |
| 1999 | 4,599 |
| 2000 | 3,959 |
| 2001 | 5,542 |
| 2002 | 3,769 |
| 2003 | 4,292 |
| 2004 | 4,833 |
| 2005 | 5,086 |
| 2006 | 5,085 |
| 2007 | 5,162 |
| 2008 | 4,999 |
New Stadium
The City of Vancouver is currently considering a proposal for Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, a new stadium to be built over the railway tracks east of Waterfront Station on Burrard Inlet. This 16,000 seat stadium would replace Swangard Stadium as the home field for the USL's Vancouver Whitecaps. There is a fair degree of controversy with regards to this location; a Vancouver council session to debate the issue was extended to four nights to allow public input. Detractors view the proposed stadium as an incongruous addition to nearby historic Gastown that would block waterfront access and promote piecemeal development of the area. Proponents of the development feel that the stadium will attract new business to the downtown and Gastown areas, particularly since the soccer team tends to attract a family-oriented audience.
On July 11, 2006, Vancouver City Council voted unanimously to proceed with the stadium project, so long as the Whitecaps could meet certain conditions regarding land use.
On 22 January 2007, the Whitecaps filed a new proposal shifting the proposed site for the stadium project to the current location of the SeaBus terminal, a short distance northwest of the previous site.
Notable Former Players
Vancouver Whitecaps
Tony Caig
Adrian Cann- Carlo Corazzin
- Nick Dasovic
Willis Forko-
Charles Gbeke 
Joey Gjertsen
Richard Goddard- Josh Hansen
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Kevin Harmse - Lars Hirschfeld
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Kevin Holness - Steve Klein
- Nigel Marples
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Sita-Taty Matondo 
Josue Mayard- Jason McLaughlin
- Alen Marcina
- Jared Montz
- Matt Nelson
- Anthony Noreiga
Lutz Pfannenstiel- Ryan Suarez
- Johnny Sulentic
- David Testo
- Justin Thompson
- Niall Thompson
- Rick Titus
- Davide Xausa
Vancouver 86ers
- Carlo Corazzin
- Nick Dasovic
- Kevin Holness
- Martin Nash
- Bob Lenarduzzi
- Shaun Lowther
- Dale Mitchell
- David Norman
- Rick Titus
- Niall Thompson
- Carl Valentine
Honours
Domestic
- USL First Division Championship
- Commissioner's Cup
- Winners (1): 1993
- Runners-up (1): 2008
- Voyageurs Cup
- Runners-up (2): 2005, 2007
- Cascadia Cup
- Winners (3): 2004, 2005, 2008
- Runners-up (2): 2006, 2007
International
- North American Club Championship
- Winners (1): 1990
- Nations Cup
- Winners (1): 2006
Year-by-Year
| Year | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Voyageurs Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | CSL | 2nd, Western | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1988 | CSL | 1st, Western | Champion | N/A |
| 1989 | CSL | 1st, Western | Champion | N/A |
| 1990 | CSL | 1st, Western | Champion | N/A |
| 1991 | CSL | 1st | Champion | N/A |
| 1992 | CSL | 1st | Final | N/A |
| 1993 | APSL | 1st | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1994 | APSL | 6th | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1995 | A-League | 3rd | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1996 | A-League | 5th | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1997 | USISL A-League | 3rd, Pacific | Conference Finals | N/A |
| 1998 | USISL A-League | 4th, Pacific | Conference Quarterfinals | N/A |
| 1999 | USL A-League | 2nd, Pacific | Conference Quarterfinals | N/A |
| 2000 | USL A-League | 3rd, Pacific | Conference Semifinals | N/A |
| 2001 | USL A-League | 1st, Western | Semifinals | N/A |
| 2002 | USL A-League | 3rd, Pacific | Conference Finals | 3rd |
| 2003 | USL A-League | 2nd, Pacific | Division Finals | 3rd |
| 2004 | USL A-League | 2nd, Western | Semifinals | 4th |
| 2005 | USL First Division | 3rd | Quarterfinals | 2nd |
| 2006 | USL First Division | 4th | Champion | 3rd |
| 2007 | USL First Division | 7th | Quarterfinals | 2nd |
| 2008 | USL First Division | 2nd | Champion | 3rd |
References
- ^ http://www.whitecapsfc.com/youth/teams/super_y_affiliates/
- ^ http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?16&content_id=158409&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp
- ^ Native son shines on bid for MLS Franchise
- ^ Major League Soccer: News: Article
- ^ 'Caps pursue franchise in MLS
- ^ "MLS News and Notes". The Star-Ledger. 2008-11-21.
- ^ "MLS expansion fee won't scare away Whitecaps". Vancouver Sun. 2008-11-25.
- ^ "MLS News and Notes". The Star-Ledger. 2008-11-21.
External links
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