Thursday marks one year before Vancouver joins Major League Soccer in 2011. To celebrate this historic date, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be staging a series of events throughout the day on March 25.
The festivities began on Thursday morning with a press conference to mark the one-year countdown to MLS at the Whitecaps head office in downtown Vancouver. In attendance was MLS president Mark Abbott, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. They were joined by Whitecaps chief executive officer Paul Barber and president Bob Lenarduzzi.
Whitecaps fans can watch Thursday morning's press conference by CLICKING HERE
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On Thursday afternoon, Whitecaps season ticket holders will have their first opportunity to pick up their 2010 season tickets from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Landing building (375 Water Street) in downtown Vancouver. Later that evening, there will be a special event to celebrate the MLS One-Year Countdown at The Transcontinental Restaurant and Lounge in Waterfront Station (Seymour St. and Cordova St., downtown Vancouver) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This sold-out event will be an exclusive opportunity for fans to meet Whitecaps CEO Paul Barber and director of soccer operations Tom Soehn.
Thursday also marks the start of the 15th MLS season, as second-year club Seattle Sounders FC host expansion side Philadelphia Union in front of more than 30,000 fans at Qwest Field. This opening match of 'MLS First Kick' can be seen live on GOL TV Canada, with the pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. PT. Kickoff between the Sounders and Union is set for 6:55 p.m. PT. Those attending the MLS One-Year Countdown evening event will be able to view the match at The Trancontinental.
