VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in conjunction with Major League Soccer, announced today details for the 2011 regular season. Whitecaps FC's inaugural season in MLS will see the 37-year-old club play a 34-match regular season schedule.
Whitecaps FC kickoff their first season in MLS at Empire Field when they host Canadian rivals Toronto FC on Saturday, March 19, at 3:30 p.m. PT. Whitecaps FC's final match at Empire Field will be a Cascadia Cup tilt versus Seattle Sounders FC at 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, September 24. The Blue and White will then open the new BC Place Stadium against their Interstate 5 rivals in Portland Timbers on Sunday, October 2 at 1:30 p.m. PT. The ’Caps conclude their inaugural regular season campaign at BC Place versus 2010 MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids on Saturday, October 22, at 4 p.m. PT.
"We're delighted to unveil our inaugural MLS regular season schedule to our fans today," said Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber. "We have an exciting start against Toronto FC, while our supporters will also be looking forward to our local derby clashes versus Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers. There will also be some exciting games against the star-studded sides of Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls to look forward to. With the majority of our regular season games on a Saturday, supporters will be able to plan their weekends around watching their beloved Blue and White in the major leagues."
Teitur Thordarson's side will play 34 regular season matches over the course of 32 weeks and face all 17 MLS opponents home and away. The majority of matches will be played on a Saturday, including 12 at home. There will also be three home games on a Wednesday and two home games on a Sunday. Whitecaps FC will begin the season at Empire Field and move to their new home at BC Place at the start of October. A complete schedule is available online at whitecapsfc.com/2011-schedule, while all matches will be available live on TEAM 1410 sports radio and teamradio.ca.
The MLS Cup playoff format and dates will be announced in the near future. MLS remains in discussions with other potential national broadcast partners in Canada and will release details soon.
Cascadia Cup
Saturday, May 14 – Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers, 8 p.m. PT
Saturday, June 11 – Seattle Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7 p.m. PT
Sunday, July 10 – Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 2 p.m. PT
Saturday, Aug. 20 – Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7 p.m. PT
Saturday, Sept. 24 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 4:30 p.m. PT
Sunday, Oct. 2 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers, 1:30 p.m. PT
Whitecaps FC Major League Soccer 2011 season tickets start at a base price of $319, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order, and more than 60 per cent of seats are available for less than $31 per game. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets. Information on single match tickets will be available next week.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, Whitecaps FC created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, Whitecaps FC have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. This year, Whitecaps FC will begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver.
