Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that they will not offer new contracts to free agents Vicente Arze, Charles Gbeke, and Lyle Martin.
Arze, 23-years-old, made 19 appearances for 887 minutes of action, having recorded one assist this past year. In his two seasons with the Whitecaps, the native of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, had a goal and three assists in 48 appearances with the club, for a total of 2,015 minutes of action. Before signing with the 'Caps in 2008, the winger played four years of NCAA Division I soccer with Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
Gbeke, 31-years-old, leaves the Whitecaps after completing his fourth spell with the club. Acquired midway through 2008 in a trade with Montreal Impact, the striker played in 38 matches, scored 14 goals and added three assists this past season. His 12 goals during the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) regular season made him the league's top goalscorer. As a member of the Whitecaps, the native of Longueuil, Quebec, made 61 career appearances for 3,650 minutes of action. During that time, the striker scored 19 goals and recorded seven assists for the club.
Martin, 24-years-old, leaves the Whitecaps after three seasons with the club. The native of Bakersfield, California, made 25 appearances in all competitions for Vancouver in 2009, scoring one goal and adding two assists during the year. In his three seasons with the 'Caps, the right-sided player appeared in 82 matches for 6,415 minutes of action, scoring two goals and adding eight assists during that time. Prior to joining the Whitecaps, the defender/midfielder played four years of NCAA Division II soccer with California State University - Bakersfield.
Whitecaps 2010 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men’s and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for Vancouver MLS 2011 in BC Place. For more information on our 2010 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.
