By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
2008 was a memorable year in the career and life of Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly.
Not only did the 27-year-old savour USL First Division championship success in his first season with Teitur Thordarson's side, the former Major League Soccer keeper married his fiancée Alicia in her native Utah on December 6.
The former Indiana University star, who had spells with MLS clubs Real Salt Lake and DC United before joining the 'Caps, admitted there was little time to think about the past season when it ended in triumph at Swangard Stadium on October 12. "Soon after the season ended, Alicia and I headed straight back to Utah to finish up all the wedding plans," he told whitecapsfc.com. "We had to make sure everything was ready because we had about 500 people attending. In the end, the wedding went very well, as there were no problems. I don't think I could have asked for anything more, as Alicia and her mom did a great job!"
After their honeymoon in Jamaica and the holiday season spent with family, the Littleton, Colorado, native is now looking forward to his second season with The Blue and White after posting a 15-8-7 record in 31 appearances last term. This included 11 clean sheets, with one of those shutouts coming on Canada Day when he heroically held out MLS club Toronto FC in a memorable 1-0 away victory in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
Though there will be several new faces arriving at the club this coming season, Nolly still has high expectations for the 2009 campaign. "We have a good group of guys coming back, even though it is always difficult to lose veteran players and have a big turnover," he said. "Preseason is starting early this year, so there should be no excuses for us when the season starts. We will have plenty of time to gel as a team with all the new players coming to the club. I expect us to be one of the top teams in the league again and I think we have a great shot at repeating as champions because of the coaching staff, organization, and the fans we have in Vancouver."
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.
