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Vancouver, Labatt Breweries rekindle partnership


Company was Whitecaps' sponsor during NASL Soccer Bowl win of 1979

VANCOUVER – On Wednesday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced a new five-year partnership with Labatt Breweries that will see Budweiser become the official beer of the team.

The relationship between the two organizations, though, goes back much further than that.

When the Whitecaps were first launched in 1974, their brand was much different than it is today. Paying homage to their Canadian roots, the club’s colors were red and white, and their original logo was a simple crest with a black border and a red soccer ball centered by a maple leaf below the words “Vancouver Whitecaps.”

On the field, the team achieved only moderate results. They made the playoffs three times in their first five seasons, but bowed out to their Pacific Northwest rivals from Seattle twice and to Portland once.

While the red-and-white was patriotic, it never quite fit the Whitecaps’ image.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...le-partnership

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Whitecaps FC fall to Sounders FC in Arizona preseason tilt

Evans goal gives Seattle victory

In their second extended training match at Grande Sports World, Vancouver Whitecaps FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders FC in Casa Grande, Arizona, on Friday afternoon.

Playing 105 minutes in three 35-minute periods, a goal in the second period by Brad Evans proved the difference between these Cascadia rivals, though Teitur Thordarson's side had their chances to find the back of the net during this latest preseason contest. Though it was a disappointing result, Friday's game was another good test versus MLS opposition for the Blue and White

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...preseason-tilt

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Whitecaps FC sign Khalfan and Koffie

'Caps add two young Africans

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of midfielders Nizar Khalfan and Gershon Koffie to the club’s Major League Soccer roster. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. Khalfan and Koffie will account for the first two international roster spots to be used by the club.

“Nizar and Gershon are fantastic young talents that continue to develop,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. “Nizar is a dynamic player with great energy. He has all the tools. He is fast, technical, hard working, has a good shot, and a great attitude.”

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...fan-and-koffie

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Whitecaps' inaugural MLS game almost sold out


The headache of juggling two venues hasn't stopped the Vancouver Whitecaps from becoming a hit with local fans in their inaugural Major League Soccer season.

The Whitecaps are close to selling out their first MLS game March 19 against Canadian rival Toronto FC. The club is also only about 1,000 sales short of reaching its goal of selling 16,500 season-tickets this year.

Vancouver opens the season playing at Empire Field, a temporary outdoor venue.

The club won't move into the newly renovated B.C. Place Stadium until Oct. 2, when Vancouver faces the Portland Timbers, the MLS's other expansion team this year. The Whitecaps will play their final three regular-season games at B.C. Place.

"It's a challenge," Whitecaps chief executive officer Paul Barber said Thursday. "We're selling season tickets for one stadium, but expecting people to sit in another.

"It's a slightly strange process we are going through. I can't remember a football club in my experience having to do anything quite like this."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/stor...#ixzz1EzoishAR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Xd4...layer_embedded

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Rogers Sportsnet is the new home for Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Network will air 21 'Caps matches

Rogers Sportsnet has scored a new three-year agreement with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Sportsnet will broadcast 21 Vancouver matches this season, more than any other network in Canada. The schedule kicks off with the club’s first Major League Soccer road match on Saturday, March 26, when Whitecaps FC battle Philadelphia Union at PPL Park.

In 2012 and 2013, the Whitecaps FC matches on Sportsnet will increase to 24 per season. For the 2011 campaign, Rogers Sportsnet Pacific and Rogers Sportsnet ONE will broadcast 20 of the 21 broadcasts, all in high definition. City TV Vancouver will broadcast the only other match on Saturday, June 4th. Broadcast talent will be announced shortly


http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...r-whitecaps-fc

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Vancouver sign Eric Hassli as club's first-ever DP

Big French forward joins Whitecaps from Swiss side FC Zürich

All preseason long, fans of the Vancouver Whitecaps have been wondering where the goals would come from. On Friday afternoon, the ‘Caps front office answered that question emphatically by announcing the signing of French forward Eric Hassli as the team’s first-ever Designated Player.

The move is still pending Hassli’s international transfer certificate, physical and work permit. As per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“As we continue our preparation towards our inaugural season in Major League Soccer, we are thrilled to bring in a striker of Eric’s quality,” said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi in a statement.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-first-ever-dp

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Vancouver sign playmaker Davide Chiumiento

"Swiss Ronaldinho" eyes big season in MLS with Whitecaps

VANCOUVER – Vancouver Whitecaps FC officially announced Tuesday the long-awaited signing of Swiss playmaker Davide Chiumiento.

Though winning is obviously first and foremost for any team, the club is also confident that the “Swiss Ronaldinho” will attract fans with his entertaining style of play.

“I’m a big believer that results are important, but equally important is how you go about it,” said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi after the team’s training session on Tuesday. “Davide is the kind of player that will get people up out of their seats with some of the things he does.”

Much is expected from the multilingual midfielder/forward. He was hardly fit when he suited up for the USSF D-2 Whitecaps last season and consequently had little impact. But after more than six months with the club, the 5-foot-7 attacker is now braced for a big season in MLS

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...ide-chiumiento

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Whitecaps FC sign defender/midfielder Blake Wagner and striker Long Tan

Pair move up from USSF D-2 Pro League

Vancouver Whitecaps FC continue to shape their Major League Soccer roster by announcing today the signings of defender/midfielder Blake Wagner and striker Long Tan. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"They are both still young players that are developing," said Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. "Long Tan is a different type of striker. He is difficult to handle because he works very hard and he is technically sound. Blake has played in MLS. He is technically very good and tactically getting better."

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...riker-long-tan

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Whitecaps FC sign four more players to MLS side

Teibert, Morfaw, Camilo, and Boxall sign

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that midfielders Russell Teibert and Alexandre Morfaw, striker Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo, and centre back Michael Boxall have all been signed to the club’s Major League Soccer roster. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...ayers-mls-side

Knick Killer

Should be a fun game tomorrow against Toronto FC. Very excited to see how Vancouver will do in their MLS debut. I'll be cheering for them.

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Whitecaps FC make sensational start in MLS with convincing 4-2 win over Toronto FC

DP Hassli scores twice on historic day

Playing their first-ever match in Major League Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated Canadian arch-rivals Toronto FC 4-2 in the first-ever meeting between two Canadian MLS clubs on Bell Pitch at Empire Field on Saturday afternoon.

Designated Player Eric Hassli endeared himself to his new fans with two goals for the Blue and White. Vancouver native Terry Dunfield and Expansion Draft pick Atiba Harris also found the scoresheet on another historic day for the 'Caps. Toronto FC captain Dwayne De Rosario and Brazilian striker Maicon Santos replied for TFC in what was a pulsating contest on the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in East Vancouver

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...ver-toronto-fc

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THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF MARCH 19th

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=185qQ22gaTk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvU8x...layer_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSCEB...layer_embedded

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The North Gate Ultras
The new Whitecaps supporters on the North Side.
We are a 'European' style fan group where we support our team full 90 minutes.

http://www.facebook.com/NorthGateUlt...=wall&filter=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwIMIRvhvOw

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Whitecaps fire head coach Teitur Thordarson

Former DC boss Soehn takes charge of club for rest of 2011

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...tur-thordarson

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Tactics may change as Soehn era begins in Vancouver

Architect of 'Caps roster

VANCOUVER, BC - Looking to turn around their Major League Soccer season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC were back at training on Tuesday to prepare for their first match under new head coach Tom Soehn.

“It’s exciting to be back on the pitch,” said Soehn after training. “The one thing I can see immediately in the group of guys is the character of the team. It’s been a really difficult few days and everybody’s still together, and that’s so important.”

If anyone knows the personality of each player on the roster, it’s Soehn. As director of soccer operations, he built the Whitecaps roster, scouting and interviewing each player to ensure that they would fit into his plans. Now as the man in charge, he’ll have a much larger influence on those players he convinced to come to Vancouver.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...gins-vancouver