Caps re-sign Jordan, Kindel, and Martin

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced the re-signing of forward Jason Jordan and defenders Steve Kindel and Lyle Martin. Jordan and Martin have agreed to one-year contracts, plus an option, while Kindel has signed a one-year deal.

Jordan, 29, returns to the Whitecaps for his 12th season with the club. Last year, Jordan missed half of the last season while recovering from off-season surgery. In 10 regular season matches, the five-foot-ten, 180-pound striker scored one goal and added one assist. Jordan also scored the Whitecaps lone playoff marker against Portland Timbers. In 2005, the native of Richmond, B.C., had his most productive offensive season to date. In 27 regular season games, he scored 17 goals and added three assists. For his efforts, he was named the 2005 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) MVP and was named to the All-League First Team. Jordan, who is the longest-serving active player on the squad, ranks second on Vancouver’s all-time scoring list with 193 points and third in goals with 76 in 227 games.

Between 1996 and 2000, Jordan represented Canada at both U-20 and U-23 Olympic levels. He earned ten U-23 caps and eight U-20 caps, which included an appearance at 1997 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Malaysia.

Jordan played his youth soccer as a member of Richmond United from 1983 to 1997. In 1998, he played one season in the British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association at Langara College.

Kindel, who turns 31 on February 25, enters his eleventh season with Vancouver. The five-foot-nine, 155-pound left fullback logged 1,971 minutes in 24 games last season. Kindel also finished the year with three assists, second only to Martin Nash’s team-high of six. In 2001 and 2002, Kindel finished second in team scoring and was named All-League Second Team. The native of Burnaby, B.C. is eighth on Vancouver’s all-time scoring list with 36 goals and 24 assists in 251 career games.

Following the 1998 season, his second year in Vancouver, Kindel moved to Europe to play for RAEC Mons of the Belgian 3rd Division. Kindel returned to the USL-1 in 2000, first joining the Richmond Kickers, than the Hampton Roads Mariners, before re-signing with Vancouver on August 1, 2000.

Internationally, Kindel has earned four senior caps with Canada’s men’s national team. The fullback has also made 16 appearances for the Canadian U-23 Olympic team and was a key member of Canada’s U-20 squad that played in the 1997 U-20 World Cup.

A former standout at SFU, Kindel played youth soccer with Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club (1989 to 1991) and Burnaby Selects Soccer Club (1992 & 1993). In 1994, the defender spent a season in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League Premier Division with Vancouver Westside FC senior men’s side.

Martin, 22, returns to the Whitecaps following a very successful rookie campaign. In his first season in Vancouver, the speedy right fullback earned 19 starts in 24 games and played 1,657 minutes. For his efforts, the native of Bakersfield, California, was honoured with the Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year award.

Prior to joining the Whitecaps, the six-foot-one, 180-pound defender played two seasons with the Bakersfield Brigade of the USL Premier Development League (PDL). In his two years with the Brigade, Martin played in 26 matches, scored 14 goals and added three assists playing primarily as a striker.

In his collegiate career, Martin was a versatile player at California State University, Bakersfield, playing in 79 career games while scoring 29 goals. In his senior year, Martin earned the 2006 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) goal-scoring title with 17 goals in 19 matches. The mark also ties him for the second most single-season goals in school history.

Vancouver Whitecaps open the 2008 regular season at Swangard Stadium against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, April 12. Season tickets are now on sale, starting at $199. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com for more information.