The Vancouver Whitecaps Join MLS in 2011
USL-1 Defending Champions to Join North America's Top Soccer League
The announcement was a culmination of much effort and hard work on the part of the franchise's dedicated staff, and reward to the loyal fans who have been supporting the Whitecaps - throughout its evolution - for over thirty years now.
Whitecaps Club History
Born in 1974, the Vancouver Whitecaps - aptly named for the world class city's proximity to both the the ocean and the mountains - quickly became one of Vancouver's most popular sports teams. As a member the North American Soccer League (NASL), North America's first professional soccer league, the Whitecaps were crowned champions in 1979, led by the homegrown talent of current President, Bob Lenarduzzi. No other Canadian club would taste that feeling of champions before the NASL would fold due to league instability in 1984.
By this time however, soccer's popularity was at an all-time high among the BC youth, surpassing even hockey in numbers of players registered in minor leagues. As one of the only provinces in Canada where it is possible to play outdoors all year-round, soccer blossomed. But with the NASL out of the picture, it was obvious that Canada needed in a professional league for its army of young players to aspire to.
A mere two years later, out of the ashes of the NASL, the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) was born, much to the delight of Canadian soccer fans. To commemorate the historical occasion, Vancouver's team was dubbed the "86ERS". Led by former player Bob Lenarduzzi off the field, and such prolific players as John Catliff on the field, the "86ERS" instantly became a dominant force in the league, winning 4 consecutive playoff championships (1988-91) and compiling a North American record 46 game-winning streak.
The success of the CSL, however, was short-lived and the Whitecaps - who retook the team's original name by popular demand- joined the APSL, or A-League, in the late 1990s. The club then suffered a dark period in which both Lenarduzzi and current Canadian National Team coach Dale Mitchell left for the glory of national duties. Then, in 2002, owner David Stadnyk walked away from the franchise in mid-season due to financial hardship, handing the team over to the USL's A-League.
Whitecaps in the USL - 1
In 2002, a search committee spearheaded by the return of the Whitecaps prodigal son, Bob Lenarduzzi, found a new owner in successful business mogul Greg Kerfoot. Kerfoot's acquisition of the Whitecaps - along with the women's team the Vancouver Breakers (now also called Whitecaps) - brought some much-needed stability along with a vision for the future.
Since 2002, under the guidance of Kerfoot and Lenarduzzi, the Vancouver Whitecaps men's and women's teams have enjoyed great success playing in the USL-1 and W-League respectively. In fact, the men's team has been USL-1 league champions for two of the past three seasons and the women's has twice been crowned champs of the USL W-League.
Whitecaps Move to MLS
And with the implementation of its European-style residency program - the first of its kind for a North American soccer franchise - as well as a strong partnerships with regional clubs throughout the province of British Columbia, the future continues to look bright for both the men's and women's teams.
But news of the Whitecaps addition to the MLS in 2011 is the club's grandest triumph since the winning the NASL title thirty years ago. The 'Caps - as they are affectionately known by their boisterous fan club the South Siders- will remain at Swangard Stadium for the 2009 and 2010 seasons in anticipation for the franchises escalation and big move to a renovated BC Place and the MLS in 2011.
Whitecaps in Action
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