Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce that they have released goalkeeper Tyler Baldock, defender Diaz Kambere, and defender/midfielder Stefan Leslie.
Kambere and Leslie leave the Whitecaps after three seasons, having been part of both the 2006 and 2008 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) championship sides, while Baldock departs after being a member of the club the past two seasons.
Baldock, 24-years-old, leaves the Whitecaps after initially re-joining the club on August 27. Prior to his return, the keeper spent the first half of 2008 with Abbotsford Mariners of the USL Premier Development League. Having made no appearances during the 2007 season with the 'Caps, Baldock played a key role in helping the club reach the USL-1 championship final this past season. The Surrey, BC, native made his club debut on October 3, as he replaced the red-carded Jay Nolly in the 1-0 semifinal, first leg, defeat at Montreal Impact. Two days later, Baldock earned a clean sheet in his first-ever professional start, as the Whitecaps reached the league final with a 2-0 home win over Montreal.
Kambere, 23, signed his first professional contract with the 'Caps on April 19, 2006, after being a regular in the club's reserve team in 2005. Born in Kasese, Uganda, and raised in Surrey, BC, Kambere made 34 total appearances over three seasons, including 14 appearances in all competitions for 800 minutes of action in 2008. This included eight starts during the USL-1 regular season and four substitute appearances in the inaugural Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
Leslie, 21, leaves the Whitecaps after making 17 total appearances for 336 minutes of action, including six substitute appearances during the 2008 USL-1 regular season. Born in Richmond, BC, and raised in Surrey, BC, Leslie also signed his first professional contract with the club on April 19, 2006, after being a member of the 2005 Whitecaps reserve team.
Whitecaps 2009 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men’s and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for BC Place and the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. For more information on the 2009 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or CLICK HERE.
