As part of their preparations for Major League Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that they will play MLS rivals Los Angeles Galaxy in two training matches next month.
In what will be their second trip to Arizona this preseason, Teitur Thordarson's squad will play the MLS Western Conference outfit during next month's training spell at Reach 11 in Phoenix, Arizona. The 2011 Galaxy squad will include top MLS stars like David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Juan Pablo Angel.
The Blue and White will first face the Galaxy on Sunday, February 20, before meeting Bruce Arena's side again on Tuesday, February 22. It will be on the same trip that the 'Caps will play another Southern California opponent in Chivas USA on Friday, February 18.
In all, Whitecaps FC have arranged seven training matches versus MLS opposition this preseason. Vancouver will also play Real Salt Lake (Tuesday, February 1) and Columbus Crew (Tuesday, February 8) in Casa Grande, Arizona, while they will also face Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers (Saturday, March 5) and Seattle Sounders FC (Sunday, March 6) at the three-day Cascadia Summit in Tukwila, Washington.
As a North American second division club, Whitecaps FC have played the Galaxy in friendly matches on two previous occasions. On November 7, 2007, a crowd of 48,172 filled BC Place to see the 'Caps draw 0-0 with Los Angeles, while on May 13, 2008, Vancouver defeated the Galaxy 2-1 in front of 37,104 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
Whitecaps FC kickoff their inaugural season in MLS on Saturday, March 19, versus Canadian rivals Toronto FC at Empire Field.
