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GOAL OF THE YEAR!!!
Hassli goal only the beginning, say Whitecaps FC teammates

Stunning strike salvages a point in Seattle

Facing the possibility of a deflating loss, the big Frenchman unleashed a jaw-dropping volley to rescue a 2-2 draw for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in their first Cascadia Cup clash in MLS against Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field on Saturday night. And, if Whitecaps FC defender and close friend Alain Rochat is right, we’re all going to see more of the same thing

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...s-fc-teammates

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Whitecaps add Gambian striker Jarju as second DP

"Toubabo" has proven record with national team, Belgian league

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Major League Soccer has its first Designated Player from Africa.

On Tuesday, the Vancouver Whitecaps announced the signing of Mustapha Jarju, who goes by the nickname "Toubabo." The Gambian international has four goals in 25 international appearances for his country, but it was his performances at Belgian club RAEC Mons that caught the eye of the team’s front office.

“Whenever we are making signings, we like to do that with an eye to the future,” team president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a press conference at Empire Field. “He has had a good career at a very early age in Belgium between the first and second divisions, and the thing that he’s been able to do is score goals.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...arju-second-dp

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A "green" Bell Pitch

Laying sod at Empire

This week sees Bell Pitch at Empire Field undergoing an extensive renovation, as 90,000 square feet of temporary grass sod is being laid in preparation for the arrival of English Premier League giants Manchester City FC as a part of the Herbalife World Football Challenge 2011 on Monday night, July 18. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.

Because of its temporary nature, the sod being installed at Bell Pitch consists of an earth and sand base, which restricts drainage and helps maintain the freshness of the pitch. Specific to soccer pitch standards, the grass is cut at 1 ¼ inches to ensure optimum conditions for a fast-paced display of the finest soccer skill.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...een-bell-pitch

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ADVISORY: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. RSL postponed

4 pm ET match called off because of unplayable field conditions

NEW YORK — The Vancouver Whitecaps FC versus Real Salt Lake match scheduled for 4 p.m. ET today has been postponed after Major League Soccer and local club officials ruled the pitch at Empire Field unplayable.

“After inspecting the field this morning, it was determined that the field would not be suitable for today's game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Salt Lake,” said Nelson Rodriguez, MLS Executive Vice President of Competition, Technical and Game Operations. “In the interest of protecting the health and safety of our players and match officials, we decided to postpone the game.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...lake-postponed

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Have a peek at the new home of our Whitecaps FC
Tour the new BC Place


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=pTTz1uiGdLE

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Whitecaps FC appoint Martin Rennie as the club's Major League Soccer head coach
Martin Rennie to take charge of 'Caps in 2012


Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the appointment of Martin Rennie as the Major League Soccer club's head coach following the completion of the 2011 season. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Currently the head coach of Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League (NASL), the 36-year-old will take over the head coaching duties of Whitecaps FC from the start of the 2012 MLS season. Acting head coach Tom Soehn will re-focus on his role as Whitecaps FC director of soccer operations following the completion of the 2011 campaign.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...cer-head-coach

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Dunleavy looking for fresh start in MLS

Irish int'l seeks greener grass

VANCOUVER, BC — A fresh start.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC latest trialist is looking for just that in his professional career.

Johnny Dunleavy left Ireland for England at age 16 to try and make the breakthrough with Wolverhampton Wanderers, then playing in the English second tier.

After being, in his description, “blighted by injuries” during his last two seasons with Wolves, the defender is now seeking a new challenge this side of the pond after the club, now playing in the Premier League, found him surplus to requirements.

“At the end of last year, I left Wolves,” Dunleavy told MLSsoccer.com after training on Thursday. “It was something that I was interested in, to play abroad and see more of the world, so my agent got in touch with the Whitecaps and sorted out the trial. Hopefully it will all go well and I’ll stay as long as possible.”

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...resh-start-mls

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Whitecaps FC release tickets for opening day on Bell Pitch downtown
and all remaining matches of the 2011 season

23 days before first kick at their new home

Starting on Saturday, September 10 at 12 p.m. PT, Whitecaps FC fans will have the opportunity to purchase individual match tickets for the four 2011 Major League Soccer regular season home matches on Bell Pitch downtown at BC Place. Whitecaps FC first kick at the new stadium will take place on Sunday, October 2 versus rivals Portland Timbers.

“Whitecaps FC are looking forward to playing on Bell Pitch downtown at BC Place in less than one month,” said Paul Barber, Whitecaps FC chief executive officer. “This exceptional venue, in the heart of downtown Vancouver, will offer a great environment for fans to enjoy our home matches. The opening match will provide a unique opportunity to not only see the much anticipated match versus our MLS expansion and Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers, but also to experience our new home for the first time this season”.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...ining-matches-

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Morfaw and Elmasri leave Whitecaps after camp
Rennie makes first tough decisions as Vancouver head coach


Incoming Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie wanted to start molding his squad from the get-go, and on Monday, that process officially began.

The Whitecaps announced that midfielder Alexandre Morfaw has been waived and defender Omar Elmasri’s loan spell will not be renewed.

Morfaw (above) had been a member of the Whitecaps since joining the squad midway through their 2010 USSF Division-2 campaign, after previously playing for Swedish side Bodens BK. The Cameroonian made six appearances during that season, and appeared twice in Vancouver’s 2011 MLS campaign.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...aps-after-camp

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Paul Ritchie named Whitecaps FC assistant coach
Ex-Scotland international reunites with Rennie


The two will be hoping to continue a fruitful relationship that has made the RailHawks one of the most feared sides in second-tier North American soccer. The pair navigated Carolina to a USSF D-2 playoff final last year, and an NASL regular season title this season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gYDC...layer_embedded

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Whitecaps FC intrasquad match ends in a goalless draw

Rennie watches MLS squad in game action

Team White and Team Blue each recorded clean sheets, as they played to a 0-0 draw in a Vancouver Whitecaps FC intrasquad match in front of several supporters at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC, on Saturday.

The match featured two 40-minute halves, with the club's MLS roster mixed into two squads. Assistant coach Paul Ritchie manned the sidelines for Team Blue, while Residency technical director Richard Grootscholten was on the bench for Team White. Head coach Martin Rennie observed from the sidelines at the halfway line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM0tu...layer_embedded

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Whitecaps FC conclude off-season camp with second intrasquad match
2-2 draw; Team White wins on penalties


With the off-season camp now at an end, Rennie's squad will take a break for the Holidays before returning to Vancouver in mid-January for preseason training camp ahead of the 2012 MLS campaign.

Team Blue
Jay Nolly; Jordan Harvey, Greg Janicki, Jonathan Leathers (Camilo 35'); Russell Teibert, Philippe Davies, Shea Salinas; Michael Nanchoff, Mustapha Jarju

Team White
Joe Cannon; Alain Rochat, Michael Boxall, Jeb Brovsky; Ben Fisk, Bryce Alderson, Gershon Koffie, Long Tan; Caleb Clarke


http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...trasquad-match

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Whitecaps' youngster Salgado to train with Fulham

Top SuperDraft pick to train with EPL side beginning Nov. 17

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Omar Salgado got to taste life in Major League Soccer this season, and he’s about to get a chance to train with an English Premier League team.

The first overall pick in last year’s MLS SuperDraft is off to London, where he’ll train with Fulham FC from Nov. 17 to Dec. 4.

“It will be an excellent experience,” Salgado told WhitecapsFC.com. “It is always good to be able to train with different teams and experience different styles and environments. Opportunities like this help me grow as a player and a person.”

For Salgado, 18, it’s his second chance to play with some of England’s best, having trained with Everton FC last fall, and the Whitecaps hope the extra experience can help him push on to the next level.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...o-train-fulham

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Whitecaps FC add Residency youngster Bryce Alderson to MLS roster

Fourth player signed from Residency program

, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that 2010 Canadian U-17 Player of the Year Bryce Alderson has been signed to the club’s Major League Soccer roster as a Home Grown Generation adidas player. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Bryce is an intelligent, gifted player that has already played at a very high level in his young career," said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. "He captained Canada at last summer's U-17 World Cup, and has continued his development in our Residency program and by training with our first team. We're excited to add another young Canadian talent to our MLS squad."

Alderson, 17, joins Vancouver's MLS roster after a successful year at both the club and international level. Currently with the Whitecaps FC Residency U-18 side in the United States Soccer Development Academy, Alderson has scored two goals in six matches this season. He is set to join the first team for the start of their 2012 MLS preseason camp in mid-January.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...son-mls-roster

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Whitecaps FC trade Salinas to SJ Earthquakes
'Caps receive allocation money for midfielder


Vancouver Whitecaps FC today traded midfielder Shea Salinas to San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for allocation money.

Salinas, 25, joined Whitecaps FC last November after being selected in the 2010 Major League Soccer (MLS) Expansion Draft from Philadelphia Union. This past regular season, the native of Lubbock, Texas, made 26 appearances for 1,695 minutes of action, as well as four appearances in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for 191 minutes of action.


http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011...sj-earthquakes