VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in conjunction with the United Soccer Leagues (USL), announced today the 2012 USL W-League regular season schedule.
The two-time defending W-League Western Conference champions will once again play their home matches in communities throughout the Lower Mainland, as part of the Whitecaps Women’s Soccer Series presented by Kia. Host cities for 2012 include: Coquitlam, Chilliwack, Surrey, North Vancouver and Richmond. This will be the fourth straight year that the ‘Caps play in Coquitlam, the third straight year that they play in Richmond, and the second straight year that they play in Chilliwack and Surrey.
| 2012 WHITECAPS WOMEN'S SOCCER SERIES PRESENTED BY KIA | |||
| Date | Time (LOCAL) | Opponent | Venue |
Friday, May 18 | 7:00pm PST | Colorado Rush | TBA |
Sunday, May 27 | 4:00pm PST | Seattle Sounders Women | Coquitlam - Percy Perry Stadium |
Friday, June 1 | 7:30pm PST | Colorado Force | Chilliwack - Exhibition Stadium |
Wednesday, June 13 | 7:30pm PST | LA Strikers | Coquitlam - Percy Perry Stadium |
Friday, June 22 | 7:30pm PST | Santa Clarita Blue Heat | Surrey - Newton Athletic Park |
Sunday, June 24 | 12:00pm PST | Pali Blues | North Vancouver - Kinsmen Stadium |
Sunday, July 8 | 4:00pm PST | Victoria Highlanders | Richmond - Minoru Oval Park |
For the full 2012 schedule, click HERE.
“We’re thrilled to once again be playing in these different communities as part of the Whitecaps Women’s Soccer Series,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC president. “The recent CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament showed what great support there is for women’s soccer here in British Columbia, and we look forward to that continuing as we kick off our W-League season in May.”
New head coach Jesse Symons leads his Whitecaps FC women’s squad for the first time on Sunday, May 13, as they travel to the island as the away team to face provincial rivals Victoria Highlanders FC at 2 p.m. PT at Royal Athletic Park. This will be the second straight season that Whitecaps FC open their W-League season in Victoria.
The following week, the ‘Caps kick off their home schedule as they host Colorado Rush on Friday, May 18, at 7 p.m. PT at a venue to be announced.
On Sunday, May 27, Whitecaps FC are at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium to take on Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders Women at 4 p.m. PT. Four days later, the club plays at Chilliwack’s Exhibition Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT against Colorado Force.
Wednesday, June 13, sees Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium welcome back the ‘Caps for a second time in 2012, as they face LA Strikers at 7:30 p.m. PT. Then on Friday, June 22, the Whitecaps FC women head to Surrey’s Newton Athletic Park – where they played twice last year – to host Santa Clarita Blue Heat at 7:30 p.m. PT in a rematch of the thrilling 2011 Western Conference Final, which the ‘Caps won 4-3 to advance to the 2011 W-League Final Four.
Symons’ squad round out the 2012 Whitecaps Women’s Soccer Series by hosting Pali Blues on Sunday, June 24, at North Vancouver’s Kinsmen Stadium at 12 p.m. PT, and conclude with a visit to Richmond’s Minoru Oval Park on Sunday, July 8, to face Victoria Highlanders FC at 4 p.m. PT.
“Having coached in the Lower Mainland for several years now, I know how exciting it is for young girls to be able to come out and watch the women’s team play in person,” said Symons. “We plan to play an exciting brand of soccer that will be fun to watch. I can’t wait to get started.”
In addition to the action on the pitch, Whitecaps FC will host free pre-match clinics and halftime mini matches for local youth players. There will also be post-match autograph sessions with Whitecaps FC women's team players.
Ticket information for the 2012 Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series will be announced shortly. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com or call 604.669.9283.
