Vancouver MLS 2011
Encyclopedia
Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver
, British Columbia
that competes in Major League Soccer
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada
.
The Whitecaps are the 17th team of Major League Soccer and replace the USSF Division 2
team of the same name, which was owned and managed by the same group that operates the MLS team, and which played through the conclusion of that league's 2010 season. The MLS team is the third to share the legacy of the Whitecaps name.
.
While no name was provided at the Vancouver announcement, over a year later the club confirmed it would keep the Whitecaps name.
In preparation for its first MLS season, the Whitecaps brought in executive talent from around the world. On November 24, 2009, Paul Barber
, former Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
executive, was announced to join the club as CEO. Others joining him included former D.C. United
head coach Tom Soehn
as Director of Operations and Dutch national Richard Grootscholten as the Technical Director and head coach of the residency program.
As the head coach of the USL
and later USSF Division 2
Vancouver Whitecaps, former Iceland
international Teitur Thordarson was confirmed as head coach on September 2, 2010 for the inaugural MLS season. He was subsequently relieved of his duties on May 30, 2011 after the Whitecaps won just one of their first twelve matches. Tom Soehn
, Whitecaps FC director of soccer operations, replaced Thordarson on an interim basis.
The Whitecaps began play in the 2011 MLS season
with their first match on March 19, 2011, against rival Canadians Toronto FC
, which they won 4–2. The first goal in the Whitecaps' MLS era was scored by Eric Hassli
. After their winning start the Whitecaps struggled, and failed to secure another victory in their next 11 MLS games, drawing six and losing five. In the aftermath of their 1–1 tie with the New York Red Bulls on May 30 head coach Teitur Thordardon was fired. Tom Soehn
took over coaching duties for the remainder of the 2011 season, while Martin Rennie
was announced as the new permanent head coach on August 9, taking over officially on November 3.
to the north and the Pacific Ocean
's white-crested waves to the west.
The official club colours include navy blue ("deep sea"), white, and light blue ("Whitecaps blue"). The "deep sea" blue represents the maritime landscape of the Vancouver area and the "Whitecaps blue" indicates the reflection of the North Shore Mountains
in the Pacific Ocean. The lighter shade of blue also alludes to the primary colour of the original Whitecaps, winners of Soccer Bowl
1979. The silver outline pays homage to the team's championship victories since 1974.
On June 10, 2010, the Whitecaps strip package was unveiled with Bell Canada
serving as the inaugural jersey sponsor. The home shirt is white with horizontal, navy blue pinstripes; the stripes broaden slightly from bottom to top. The secondary shirt is deep blue with an embossed, interlocking diamond pattern which is also deep blue and is reflective in the light.
Whitecaps FC played most of its inaugural 2011 season at Empire Field
, a temporary stadium built at the former site of Empire Stadium to house the BC Lions
, while BC Place Stadium
was renovated and fitted with a new retractable roof. Empire Field has spectacular views of the mountains which ring the city of Vancouver, providing an immediately recognizable backdrop for Whitecaps games.
The Whitecaps played its first home match at BC Place on October 2, 2011 against Cascadia Cup
rivals Portland Timbers
.
The organization initially hoped to build Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium
in Gastown
in time for the 2016 season, but its owner has reportedly committed to BC Place in light of stadium opposition.
50 season ticket deposits 48-hours after they became available to the public. Remaining season tickets were made available to season ticket holders for the USSF 2 Whitecaps before becoming available to non-season ticket holders.
behind the goal at the south end of Swangard Stadium
.
The Southsiders' relationship with the team's ownership has not always been amicable. It has evolved since Vancouver received the MLS expansion team
. Images of the Southsiders are featured prominently in Whitecaps’ marketing campaigns. The group's board was invited to the invite-only launch of the kits and logo to be used in the MLS. The expansion has also increased membership. The president of the organization said that it had grown from about 40 paid members to 100 paid in July 2010. He also believes there is no reason why the Southsiders cannot outdo the Seattle Sounders' Emerald City Supporters
. Southsider supporters are primarily located on the eastern-half of the southern stands of Empire Field.
Another group, "La Doce", formed in January 2011. Their original name in Spanish is "La 12", which can be translated into English as "The 12th" or "The 12th player". La 12 is formed by people from different nationalities that have a preference to support the Whitecaps in a Latin American, Southern European or Eastern European Style. The main feature of La 12 is its cheering style that features constant drumming and longer songs, resembling the way in which fans in South America or Southern or Eastern Europe like to support. La 12 fans are primarily seated in the southeast corner of Empire Field.
and the Portland Timbers
. The rivalries predate the MLS and have been an integral part of the soccer culture in the Pacific Northwest
. Matches between these three teams are arguably the most passionate in all of MLS
as each of these teams are well-supported by their respective cities.
The Vancouver Whitecaps also have rivalries with Toronto FC
and the Montreal Impact
. Vancouver's first game in the MLS was against Toronto in an attempt by the league to spur a rivalry between the two Canadian teams. Montreal was a rival in the second division. The three teams have played each other during Voyageurs Cup
competitions.
announced that it had signed a 3-year deal with the team to broadcast 24 Whitecaps games per season. Telecasts will be aired on Rogers Sportsnet
, Rogers Sportsnet One
, and a single game on CKVU-TV
, Vancouver's Citytv
station. TSN
will also air select games nationally as a part of the network's new contract with MLS.
Also announced this year, a radio partnership with TEAM Radio, a Bell Media company. Game are broadcast on TEAM 1410 with select games on TEAM 1040. Peter Schaad and Paul Dolan call the action with Joey Kenward, David Norman and Tyler Green a part of the pre- and post-match shows.
games, but are not part of the senior roster.
As of August 11, 2011.
Head Coach Paul Ritchie Assistant Coach Marius Røvde
Goalkeeper Coach Martin Nash Staff Coach Paul Barber
Chief Executive Officer Tom Soehn
Director of Soccer Operations
(2011) Martin Rennie
(2011–present)
, Jeff Mallett
, and Steve Nash
. Kerfoot is the owner of the full Whitecaps FC organization (which owned the USSF 2 team as well as a women's team and several youth and developmental teams) and formerly the CEO of Crystal Decisions Software. Luczo is president/CEO/chairman of the board for Seagate Technology
and part owner of the National Basketball Association's
Boston Celtics
. Mallett, a Vancouver native who was raised in Victoria, British Columbia
, was formerly the president and COO of Yahoo!
and is currently a part owner of Major League Baseball
's San Francisco Giants
. Nash, also raised in Victoria, is the starting point guard
for the Phoenix Suns
and two-time NBA MVP, as well as the older brother of recently retired Whitecaps FC midfielder and current Whitecaps staff coach Martin Nash.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
that competes in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The Whitecaps are the 17th team of Major League Soccer and replace the USSF Division 2
USSF Division 2 Professional League
USSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
team of the same name, which was owned and managed by the same group that operates the MLS team, and which played through the conclusion of that league's 2010 season. The MLS team is the third to share the legacy of the Whitecaps name.
History
An ownership group in Vancouver were granted the seventeenth Major League Soccer franchise on March 18, 2009 by MLS Commissioner Don GarberDon Garber
Donald Garber is the commissioner of Major League Soccer, CEO of Soccer United Marketing, and a member of the United States Soccer Federation board of directors. Garber has spent his entire career in the sports industry, working in a variety of capacities in marketing, television and league...
.
While no name was provided at the Vancouver announcement, over a year later the club confirmed it would keep the Whitecaps name.
In preparation for its first MLS season, the Whitecaps brought in executive talent from around the world. On November 24, 2009, Paul Barber
Paul Barber (soccer administrator)
Paul Barber is 43 years of age and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club in November 2009 and took up this appointment on 1 March 2010...
, former Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
executive, was announced to join the club as CEO. Others joining him included former D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
head coach Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
as Director of Operations and Dutch national Richard Grootscholten as the Technical Director and head coach of the residency program.
As the head coach of the USL
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
and later USSF Division 2
USSF Division 2 Professional League
USSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
Vancouver Whitecaps, former Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
international Teitur Thordarson was confirmed as head coach on September 2, 2010 for the inaugural MLS season. He was subsequently relieved of his duties on May 30, 2011 after the Whitecaps won just one of their first twelve matches. Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
, Whitecaps FC director of soccer operations, replaced Thordarson on an interim basis.
The Whitecaps began play in the 2011 MLS season
2011 Major League Soccer season
The 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver...
with their first match on March 19, 2011, against rival Canadians Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
, which they won 4–2. The first goal in the Whitecaps' MLS era was scored by Eric Hassli
Eric Hassli
Eric Hassli is a French footballer currently playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer. He is known for his strength and his technical ability.-Early career:...
. After their winning start the Whitecaps struggled, and failed to secure another victory in their next 11 MLS games, drawing six and losing five. In the aftermath of their 1–1 tie with the New York Red Bulls on May 30 head coach Teitur Thordardon was fired. Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
took over coaching duties for the remainder of the 2011 season, while Martin Rennie
Martin Rennie
Martin Rennie is a Scottish soccer coach and is currently the head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer. He was signed to a multi-year contract by Vancouver on 9 August 2011.-Coaching career:...
was announced as the new permanent head coach on August 9, taking over officially on November 3.
Colours and badge
On June 8, 2010, it was officially announced the club would continue using the "Whitecaps" name, but with a redesigned logo. The name alludes to the geographic features surrounding the city: white-capped mountainsNorth Shore Mountains
The North Shore Mountains are a mountain range overlooking Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. Their southernmost peaks are visible from most areas in Vancouver and form a distinctive backdrop for the city....
to the north and the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
's white-crested waves to the west.
The official club colours include navy blue ("deep sea"), white, and light blue ("Whitecaps blue"). The "deep sea" blue represents the maritime landscape of the Vancouver area and the "Whitecaps blue" indicates the reflection of the North Shore Mountains
North Shore Mountains
The North Shore Mountains are a mountain range overlooking Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. Their southernmost peaks are visible from most areas in Vancouver and form a distinctive backdrop for the city....
in the Pacific Ocean. The lighter shade of blue also alludes to the primary colour of the original Whitecaps, winners of Soccer Bowl
Soccer Bowl
The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl....
1979. The silver outline pays homage to the team's championship victories since 1974.
On June 10, 2010, the Whitecaps strip package was unveiled with Bell Canada
Bell Canada
Bell Canada is a major Canadian telecommunications company. Including its subsidiaries such as Bell Aliant, Northwestel, Télébec, and NorthernTel, it is the incumbent local exchange carrier for telephone and DSL Internet services in most of Canada east of Manitoba and in the northern territories,...
serving as the inaugural jersey sponsor. The home shirt is white with horizontal, navy blue pinstripes; the stripes broaden slightly from bottom to top. The secondary shirt is deep blue with an embossed, interlocking diamond pattern which is also deep blue and is reflective in the light.
Stadium
- Empire FieldEmpire FieldEmpire Field was a temporary outdoor football and soccer stadium built at the former location of Empire Stadium at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. It served as the home of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League from the summer of 2010 until the fall of 2011 when the installation...
; Vancouver, British Columbia (2011) Home stadium for most of 2011 season. - BC Place Stadium; Vancouver, British Columbia (2011–present)
Whitecaps FC played most of its inaugural 2011 season at Empire Field
Empire Field
Empire Field was a temporary outdoor football and soccer stadium built at the former location of Empire Stadium at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. It served as the home of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League from the summer of 2010 until the fall of 2011 when the installation...
, a temporary stadium built at the former site of Empire Stadium to house the BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
, while BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
was renovated and fitted with a new retractable roof. Empire Field has spectacular views of the mountains which ring the city of Vancouver, providing an immediately recognizable backdrop for Whitecaps games.
The Whitecaps played its first home match at BC Place on October 2, 2011 against Cascadia Cup
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
rivals Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
.
The organization initially hoped to build Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium
Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium
The Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium is a proposed open-air soccer facility in Vancouver, British Columbia that would be privately funded and developed by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The proposed location is north of Gastown on the central waterfront on what is currently a parking lot and the site of...
in Gastown
Gastown
Gastown is a national historic site in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the northeast end of Downtown adjacent to the Downtown Eastside. Its historical boundaries were the waterfront , Columbia Street, Hastings Street, and Cambie Street, which were the borders of the 1870 townsite survey, the proper...
in time for the 2016 season, but its owner has reportedly committed to BC Place in light of stadium opposition.
Club culture
The team sold the first 5,000 $Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
50 season ticket deposits 48-hours after they became available to the public. Remaining season tickets were made available to season ticket holders for the USSF 2 Whitecaps before becoming available to non-season ticket holders.
Supporters Groups
The largest Whitecaps supporters group is known as the Southsiders. The group began in 1999 when fans of the Vancouver 86ers began congregating in the pitch-level beer gardenBeer garden
Beer garden is an open-air area where beer, other drinks and local food are served. The concept originates from and is most common in Southern Germany...
behind the goal at the south end of Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Central Park in Burnaby, British Columbia. Primarily used for soccer, football, and athletics, the stadium is home to the Simon Fraser Clan football team. The stadium was home to the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL...
.
The Southsiders' relationship with the team's ownership has not always been amicable. It has evolved since Vancouver received the MLS expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
. Images of the Southsiders are featured prominently in Whitecaps’ marketing campaigns. The group's board was invited to the invite-only launch of the kits and logo to be used in the MLS. The expansion has also increased membership. The president of the organization said that it had grown from about 40 paid members to 100 paid in July 2010. He also believes there is no reason why the Southsiders cannot outdo the Seattle Sounders' Emerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.-History and name:Emerald City Supporters was founded in 2005 by the supporters of the now defunct Seattle Sounders soccer team that played in the United Soccer Leagues First Division...
. Southsider supporters are primarily located on the eastern-half of the southern stands of Empire Field.
Another group, "La Doce", formed in January 2011. Their original name in Spanish is "La 12", which can be translated into English as "The 12th" or "The 12th player". La 12 is formed by people from different nationalities that have a preference to support the Whitecaps in a Latin American, Southern European or Eastern European Style. The main feature of La 12 is its cheering style that features constant drumming and longer songs, resembling the way in which fans in South America or Southern or Eastern Europe like to support. La 12 fans are primarily seated in the southeast corner of Empire Field.
Rivalries
The Vancouver Whitecaps have longstanding rivalries with both the Seattle SoundersSeattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
and the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
. The rivalries predate the MLS and have been an integral part of the soccer culture in the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
. Matches between these three teams are arguably the most passionate in all of MLS
MLS
- Organizations :* Major League Soccer, the highest level professional soccer league in the United States and Canada* Michigan Lutheran Seminary, a preparatory high-school in Saginaw, Michigan- Commerce :...
as each of these teams are well-supported by their respective cities.
The Vancouver Whitecaps also have rivalries with Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
and the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
. Vancouver's first game in the MLS was against Toronto in an attempt by the league to spur a rivalry between the two Canadian teams. Montreal was a rival in the second division. The three teams have played each other during Voyageurs Cup
Voyageurs Cup
The Voyageurs Cup is the only trophy for top-level professional soccer in Canada. From 2002 to 2007, the cup was awarded annually to the Canadian team finishing with the best record in the USL First Division, from regular season matches against other Canadian teams in the league, and from 2008 the...
competitions.
Broadcasting
In March 2011, Rogers MediaRogers Media
Rogers Media Inc is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc., which owns Canada's largest publishing company, Rogers Publishing Limited, which has more than 70 consumer and business publications. Rogers Media Inc...
announced that it had signed a 3-year deal with the team to broadcast 24 Whitecaps games per season. Telecasts will be aired on Rogers Sportsnet
Rogers Sportsnet
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998 as CTV Sportsnet. The name was chosen to match the regional "Fox Sports Net" operations across the United States...
, Rogers Sportsnet One
Rogers Sportsnet One
Sportsnet One is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel owned by Rogers Media.Sportsnet One is a national sports channel serving as a complementary service to Sportsnet, a regional sports network also owned by Rogers Media. The channel broadcasts in standard and high-definition...
, and a single game on CKVU-TV
CKVU-TV
CKVU-DT is a television station based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Owned by Rogers Media , it was the second station to become part of the Citytv system in Canada.-History:CKVU's history dates back to 1975, when Western Approaches Ltd...
, Vancouver's Citytv
Citytv
Citytv is a Canadian English language television system owned and operated by Rogers Communications under its Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. division...
station. TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
will also air select games nationally as a part of the network's new contract with MLS.
Also announced this year, a radio partnership with TEAM Radio, a Bell Media company. Game are broadcast on TEAM 1410 with select games on TEAM 1040. Peter Schaad and Paul Dolan call the action with Joey Kenward, David Norman and Tyler Green a part of the pre- and post-match shows.
Current roster
As of November 30, 2011.- See also: All-time Vancouver Whitecaps FC rosterAll-time Vancouver Whitecaps FC rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one match for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC since the team's first Major League Soccer season in 2011 during league calender. Players who were on the roster but never played a first team match are not listed...
Reserve Team Players
This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve Division2011 MLS Reserve Division
The new MLS Reserve League was resurrected for the 2011 season, after not having played since 2008. Each team will play 10 games against divisional opponenets, with clubs being allowed schedule additional games against non-MLS opponents. The schedule begins March 20 and tentatively concludes Oct...
games, but are not part of the senior roster.
As of August 11, 2011.
Staff
Martin RennieMartin Rennie
Martin Rennie is a Scottish soccer coach and is currently the head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer. He was signed to a multi-year contract by Vancouver on 9 August 2011.-Coaching career:...
Head Coach Paul Ritchie Assistant Coach Marius Røvde
Marius Røvde
Knut Marius Røvde is a Norwegian football goalkeeper. He has played for Rosenborg BK Byåsen, Drøbak/Frogn IL, Stabæk, Hønefoss BK, Ayr United F.C., Wrexham F.C...
Goalkeeper Coach Martin Nash Staff Coach Paul Barber
Paul Barber (soccer administrator)
Paul Barber is 43 years of age and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club in November 2009 and took up this appointment on 1 March 2010...
Chief Executive Officer Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
Director of Soccer Operations
Head coaches
Teitur Thordarson (2011) Tom SoehnTom Soehn
Tom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
(2011) Martin Rennie
Martin Rennie
Martin Rennie is a Scottish soccer coach and is currently the head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer. He was signed to a multi-year contract by Vancouver on 9 August 2011.-Coaching career:...
(2011–present)
Ownership
The Vancouver ownership group is composed of four men; Greg Kerfoot, Steve LuczoStephen J. Luczo
Stephen J. Luczo is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and CEO of Seagate Technology. In January 2009, Luczo, Seagate's Chairman, was appointed president and chief executive officer, returning him to the president and CEO role he held at Seagate from 1998 to 2004...
, Jeff Mallett
Jeff Mallett
Jeffrey Mallett is best known for building internet giant Yahoo! from its start-up phase into the global franchise it is today...
, and Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
. Kerfoot is the owner of the full Whitecaps FC organization (which owned the USSF 2 team as well as a women's team and several youth and developmental teams) and formerly the CEO of Crystal Decisions Software. Luczo is president/CEO/chairman of the board for Seagate Technology
Seagate Technology
Seagate Technology is one of the world's largest manufacturers of hard disk drives. Incorporated in 1978 as Shugart Technology, Seagate is currently incorporated in Dublin, Ireland and has its principal executive offices in Scotts Valley, California, United States.-1970s:On November 1, 1979...
and part owner of the National Basketball Association's
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. Mallett, a Vancouver native who was raised in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, was formerly the president and COO of Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
and is currently a part owner of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Nash, also raised in Victoria, is the starting point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
for the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
and two-time NBA MVP, as well as the older brother of recently retired Whitecaps FC midfielder and current Whitecaps staff coach Martin Nash.
Team records
- All-Time regular season record: 6–16–10 (Through October 12, 2011)
- All-Time regular season home record: 6–5–5 (Through October 12, 2011)
- All-Time regular season BC Place record: 2–1–0 (Through October 12, 2011)
- All-Time regular season Empire FieldEmpire FieldEmpire Field was a temporary outdoor football and soccer stadium built at the former location of Empire Stadium at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. It served as the home of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League from the summer of 2010 until the fall of 2011 when the installation...
record: 4–4–5 (Through October 12, 2011) - All-Time regular season away record: 0–11–5 (Through October 12, 2011)
International tournaments
- 2011 World Football Challenge2011 World Football ChallengeThe 2011 World Football Challenge was the second World Football Challenge event, a series of friendly football matches played in the United States and Canada in July and August 2011.- Participants :...
-
- Group Stage v.
Manchester CityManchester City F.C.Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
-- 1:2
- Group Stage v.