Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce that men's team head coach
Teitur Thordarson
has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The 57-year-old will be heading into his third season in charge of the Whitecaps men, with the club set to embark on their inaugural year in the new North American Soccer League in April 2010.
A native of Akranes, Iceland, Thordarson has enjoyed two successful seasons in charge of the 'Caps, having initially joined the club on a two-year contract back on December 11, 2007. In his first season, Thordarson led the Whitecaps to their second United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) championship title in three seasons. In what was his first year of coaching in North American professional soccer, the former Iceland international striker helped the Whitecaps finish second in the USL-1 standings with a record of 15W-7L-8D. The 'Caps then went on to defeat Minnesota Thunder and Montreal Impact in the playoffs before claiming a 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico Islanders in the USL-1 Championship Final at Swangard Stadium on October 12, 2008. Thordarson also led the men's team to notable wins over Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy (international friendly) and Toronto FC (Nutrilite Canadian Championship) that season.
His second year in charge was just as eventful. After making several changes to the squad in the off-season, Thordarson's less experienced side endured a more difficult USL-1 regular season campaign, as they claimed the league's final playoff berth with a record of 11W-10L-9D. However, a fine playoff run saw the 'Caps record upset wins over second-seeded Carolina RailHawks and regular season champions Portland Timbers. However, Vancouver's quest to defend their league title ended in disappointment, as they lost 6-3 on aggregate to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact. Thordarson's side also suffered heartbreak in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship after being edged to the title by Toronto FC on goal difference.
Prior to joining the Whitecaps, Thordarson compiled an extensive coaching resume in the professional leagues of Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and his native Iceland from 1987 to 2006. The majority of his coaching career was spent in Norway’s top-flight Tippeligaen, where he coached for 11 seasons with clubs like SK Brann, FC Lyn Oslo, and Lillestrøm SK. He also had a successful spell at the helm of Estonian club Flora Tallinn and the Estonian national team between 1996 and 1999. For his work in developing Estonian soccer, Thordarson received a medal from the President of Estonia in February 2000. More recently, he led Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Football Club) of the Landsbankadeild - Iceland’s premier division - to a second-place league finish and a spot in the Icelandic Cup final in 2006.
Whitecaps 2010 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 Vancouver MLS 2011 in BC Place. For more information on the 2010 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or click here.
