As part of Major League Soccer's re-launch of its Reserve League for the 2011 season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves begin their campaign away to San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, March 22.
The re-launch of the MLS Reserve League, which first ran between 2005 and 2008, will provide head coach Teitur Thordarson and his staff with opportunities to play members of the Whitecaps FC first team that see limited action in MLS regular season matches.
With each MLS club expanding their first-team rosters to 30 players in 2011, the Reserve League gives Vancouver a chance to further develop players in their squad during the course of the season.
The MLS Reserve League will be split into East, Central/Mountain, and West Divisions, with Whitecaps FC reserves playing in the six-club West Division alongside Chivas USA, Los Angeles Galaxy, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, and Seattle Sounders FC. Vancouver will play each club home and away for a total of 10 matches. The 2011 Reserve League regular season schedule begins this Sunday, March 20, and will conclude Sunday, October 16.
The best eight teams in the Reserve League regular season will advance to the playoffs to determine a champion. MLS clubs may also schedule additional games for their reserve teams against non-MLS opponents.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 2011 MLS Reserve League schedule (home club listed first)
March 22 - San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 11 a.m. PT
April 17 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Chivas USA - 11 a.m. PT
June 7 - Seattle Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 7 p.m. PT
June 20 - Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 11 a.m. PT
July 31 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - 11 a.m. PT
August 9 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC - 2 p.m. PT
August 21 - Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 12 p.m. PT
September 3 - Chivas USA vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 11 a.m. PT
September 6 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes - 11 a.m. PT
October 3 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers - 11 a.m. PT
