With the unveiling of Teitur Thordarson as the Vancouver Whitecaps men’s team head coach on Tuesday, one lucky season-ticket holder claimed a trip for two to Las Vegas.
Whitecaps fans that either renewed or purchased season tickets for the 2008 campaign before November 30 not only took advantage of the club’s Early Bird prices for the package, they were also entered into a draw for a trip to the glittery Nevada metropolis.
As one of his first orders of business, Thordarson made the draw for the Las Vegas trip, with Whitecaps fan Paul Chapman being the lucky recipient of the Early Bird prize.
Chapman, who is the metro news editor for The Province newspaper, was unaware that his season-ticket renewal made him eligible for such a prize. “It’s pretty remarkable, to be honest with you,” he told whitecapsfc.com. “I didn’t even know that there was a draw being made until I found out that I won. I’m a big believer in the Whitecaps and the entertainment that the club offers, so buying season tickets was a no-brainer to me. I didn’t really need any extra incentive, so finding out that I got a trip out of it is great. I guess I’ll be picking out some of my favourite Whitecaps players’ numbers and using them in Vegas. I might just get lucky again.”
As a long-time supporter of soccer in Vancouver, Chapman believes Whitecaps games provide great entertainment at an affordable price. “I believe the Whitecaps are the most underappreciated sports property in the city,” he said. “With the new stadium on the horizon, me and my family want to be part of it because there is a great family atmosphere at the games. My daughter is nine years old and just loves the sport, so it’s nice that it is something that the whole family can do. It just has a different and special vibe at Swangard Stadium, and with the current buzz around soccer following the Beckham game and the U-20 World Cup this past summer, it’s just something that I want to be a part of.”
Chapman is also excited by the prospects of the men’s team following the arrival of Icelandic coach Thordarson this week. “Having heard a lot about the style of soccer that the team will be playing is exciting,” he said. “The one thing I enjoyed about the women’s team when the likes of Kara Lang, Andrea Neil and Christine Sinclair were involved was the offensive style that they played. There were lots of goals and it was so much fun to watch, so I think we can expect a little bit more of that from the men now. I’m really looking forward to it.”
With the rapid growth of soccer occurring across North America, Chapman feels that now is a perfect time to become part of the Whitecaps. “A lot of the other pro sports teams here in Vancouver are really inaccessible or the venues are not all that comfortable,” he said. “If you can be involved with the Whitecaps and soccer on the ground floor, then being a season-ticket holder and getting access to things like the LA Galaxy open practice are the kind of extras that make a huge difference. The sooner you get involved, the better it’s going to be.”
Whitecaps fans can still take advantage of the Early Bird prices when they purchase season tickets before January 10, 2008. Season tickets include all regular-season home games for the Whitecaps men’s and women’s teams next year, plus a bonus of all playoff home matches for both teams and the men’s international friendly. Holders will also receive advance ticket purchase rights on other soccer events at Swangard Stadium and Canadian national team games, as well as additional ticket rights for international friendlies. Those rights also include advanced ticket purchases for the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium.
Purchase your season tickets by January 10, 2008, and be eligible to win a Whitecaps VIP Experience. The package includes a limousine ride for 10 people to and from a Whitecaps game next season, plus passes to the BMO VIP section including food and beverages, at Swangard Stadium. Winners will also have the chance to meet and greet with Whitecaps players following the game.
Click here for more information on our 2008 season ticket package and how to take advantage of our Early Bird specials.
