Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced that they will pursue one of two Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchises set to be added to the league by 2011. MLS announced the expansion plan yesterday following their Board of Governors meeting in Toronto.
Speaking at the media conference in Vancouver, Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said the club is well positioned for a successful application.
“The Whitecaps are one of the top professional soccer clubs in North America, and Vancouver is a world-class city,” added Lenarduzzi. “We have a strong and dedicated ownership team, a clear vision, and have demonstrated leadership in soccer in North America. Vancouver Whitecaps FC is an integral part of the fabric of British Columbia, as acknowledged by the strong support we have received from the business and soccer communities, and all levels of government. We are confident that Vancouver and the Whitecaps are ready for Major League Soccer, and we look forward to bringing it here.”
British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell welcomed the news of the club’s pursuit for an MLS franchise, from the BC Summer Games. “The Whitecaps have a long and proud history in British Columbia. They are an important part of our community and we are excited about the opportunity, through Whitecaps Major League Soccer, to inspire British Columbians to lead the way in healthy living and physical fitness,” he said.
As part of the bid to secure an MLS franchise, the Whitecaps also announced that local sports icon, Steve Nash, will join the Whitecaps ownership team.
“I am really excited to be a part of the Whitecaps organization and play a role in our application to join Major League Soccer,” said Steve Nash, the newest member of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC ownership team. “This new partnership is a great fit for me. My passion for soccer and commitment to the community is well aligned with the Whitecaps vision.”
Soccer is by far the number one participatory sport in British Columbia with over 120,000 registered players, which is nearly three times the registration as the next most popular sport in the province. In addition, the growing popularity of professional soccer as a spectator sport in BC is evidenced by frequent sell-outs at Whitecaps home games, and the huge response to the club’s exhibition match against MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy, which drew over 48,000 fans to BC Place last November.
In 2007, the Whitecaps played a key role in bidding for and successfully hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup. More recently, the club was a driving force behind the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. A winning application for an MLS soccer franchise would continue the Whitecaps tradition of bringing world-class soccer to Vancouver and British Columbia.
Last May, the Whitecaps announced their intention to pursue a lease agreement in a renovated BC Place, with the new-look stadium scheduled to open in early 2011. The Whitecaps are currently working with BC Place to ensure the renovated venue will rival the best soccer-specific stadiums in North America. In addition, the club remains firmly committed to pursuing the development of its proposed soccer-specific Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium on downtown Vancouver’s central waterfront and rail lands.
Fans are encouraged to visit whitecapsfc.com/mls to register their support for a Whitecaps MLS franchise and help show the rest of North America what Vancouver and British Columbia have to offer.
