VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the club’s preliminary plans for their 2013 Major League Soccer preseason, highlighted by a return trip to Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona, and participation in the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, South Carolina.
“We are excited to get our 2013 campaign underway with these preseason trips to Casa Grande and Charleston,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “We will have six weeks of preparation for the new MLS season and these two trips will play a huge part in our planning.”
Whitecaps FC players will report for the 2013 preseason in Vancouver on January 20 before leaving for a 10-day camp at the Grande Sports World complex in Casa Grande, Arizona, on Monday, January 28. This will mark the fourth consecutive preseason that Whitecaps FC will have visited the multi-field sports complex in The Grand Canyon State. Training matches in Arizona will be confirmed at a later date.
After a brief stint back in Vancouver, Whitecaps FC will then head to Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday, February 13, for the 10th annual Carolina Challenge Cup held at Blackbaud Stadium. Running from Saturday, February 16, to Saturday, February 23, the 2013 edition of the preseason tournament will see Whitecaps FC face MLS competition in the Chicago Fire and another side still to be named, as well as tournament hosts in third-tier United Soccer Leagues Professional Division side Charleston Battery, in a four-team round robin competition. Whitecaps FC played against the Battery while both were members of the United Soccer Leagues First Division from 1997 to 2009.
Following participation in the Carolina Challenge Cup, Whitecaps FC will return to Vancouver to prepare for MLS First Kick in early March 2013. The remainder of the 2013 preseason and MLS regular season schedule will be announced at a later date.
Whitecaps FC 2013 MLS season tickets start at $349, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, including Pitchside Club and suites, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
