Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in conjunction with the United Soccer Leagues (USL), announced today the 2008 USL First Division (USL-1) regular season schedule.
The Whitecaps will kick off their 22nd season at Swangard Stadium in an all-Canadian tilt versus the Montreal Impact on April 12, and wrap up the regular season on the road against I-5 rivals Seattle Sounders at Starfire Sports Complex on September 20.
The 11-team USL-1 uses a single-table format and this year, the Whitecaps will face each team three times. It will be the first time in league history the USL-1 will play a 30-game regular season schedule after playing 28-game schedules 10 of the last 11 seasons.
Following the home opener, the Whitecaps will play two more matches at home before embarking on their first road trip, which will include Montreal’s home opener at the new 13,000-seat, natural grass Saputo Stadium on Monday, May 19. It will mark the opening of the fourth soccer specific facility in the USL-1, joining the Charleston Battery’s Blackbaud Stadium (1999), Atlanta Silverbacks’ RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium (2006) and Rochester Raging Rhinos’ PAETEC Park (2006).
Swangard will host six matches on Saturday, five Sunday tilts including two 4:00 p.m. starts, two Friday matches which will be broadcast live on Fox Sports World Canada, and two Wednesday night encounters.
The top seven teams will advance to the playoff tournament, with the Commissioner’s Cup winner (regular season champion) receiving a bye into the semifinals. The first round will involve the number two through number seven seeds competing in two-leg aggregate score series. The three winners will advance to the semifinals, with the number one seed pitted against the lowest remaining seed.
The USL also announced today that the annual USL-1 College Player Draft has been suspended. Following an evaluation process, the draft may return in 2009.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2008 season tickets are on sale now. Prices start at $199, and all season tickets include a bonus ticket to next year’s international friendly match. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com or call the Whitecaps office at 604.669.WAVE (9283).
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2008 Men’s Regular Season Schedule
Date |
Opponent |
Time (PDT) |
Stadium |
<strong>Sat., April 12</strong> |
<strong>vs. Montreal Impact</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Sat., April 26</strong> |
<strong>vs. Minnesota Thunder</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Sat., May 10</strong> |
<strong>vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m. </strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Fri., May 16 |
at Miami FC Blues |
2:30 p.m. |
Tropical Park Stadium |
Mon., May 19 |
at Montreal Impact |
12:00 p.m. |
Saputo Stadium |
<strong>Fri., May 23</strong> |
<strong>vs. Seattle Sounders</strong> |
<strong>8:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Sat., May 24 |
at Portland Timbers |
7:00 p.m. |
PGE Park |
Wed., May 28 |
at Charleston Battery |
4:30 p.m. |
Blackbaud Stadium |
Sat., May 31 |
at Minnesota Thunder |
5:05 p.m. |
James Griffin Stadium |
<strong>Sat., June 7</strong> |
<strong>vs. Portland Timbers</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium </strong> |
Fri., June 13 |
at Rochester Raging Rhinos |
5:00 p.m. |
PAETEC Park |
<strong>Sun., June 22</strong> |
<strong>vs. Miami FC Blues</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Sat., July 5 |
at Rochester Raging Rhinos |
4:35 p.m. |
PAETEC Park |
<strong>Sun., July 13</strong> |
<strong>vs. Carolina RailHawks</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Wed., July 23</strong> |
<strong>vs. Charleston Battery </strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Sat., July 26</strong> |
<strong>vs. Carolina RailHawks</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Tues., July 29 |
at Miami FC Blues |
4:30 p.m. |
Tropical Park Stadium |
Fri., August 1 |
at Carolina RailHawks |
5:00 p.m. |
WakeMed Soccer Park |
Sun., August 3 |
at Charleston Battery |
3:00 p.m. |
Blackbaud Stadium |
Tues., August 5 |
at Atlanta Silverbacks |
4:55 p.m. |
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium |
<strong>Sun., August 10</strong> |
<strong>vs. Atlanta Silverbacks</strong> |
<strong>4:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Sun., August 17</strong> |
<strong>vs. Puerto Rico Islanders</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Wed., August 20 |
at Seattle Sounders |
7:00 p.m. |
Starfire Sports Complex |
<strong>Fri., August 22</strong> |
<strong>vs. Portland Timbers</strong> |
<strong>8:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Wed., August 27</strong> |
<strong>vs. Atlanta Silverbacks</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Sun., August 31 |
at Puerto Rico Islanders |
2:00 p.m. |
Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium |
Wed., September 3 |
at Puerto Rico Islanders |
2:00 p.m. |
Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium |
<strong>Sun., September 7</strong> |
<strong>vs. Minnesota Thunder</strong> |
<strong>4:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
<strong>Sat., September 13</strong> |
<strong>vs. Montreal Impact</strong> |
<strong>7:00 p.m.</strong> |
<strong>Swangard Stadium</strong> |
Sat., September 20 |
at Seattle Sounders |
7:00 p.m. |
Starfire Sports Complex |