Paul Barber Steps Down as Whitecaps CEO

Whitecaps Press Release

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Paul Barber has resigned from his position as chief executive officer of the club, effective February 29, 2012.

Barber joined Whitecaps FC from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur FC in February 2010. Since then, the 44-year-old native of London, England, has overseen the club’s transition to Major League Soccer, including the club’s move into the newly renovated BC Place Stadium in October 2011.

"I am delighted and honoured to have served one of North America's oldest and most famous soccer clubs and to have played a part in re-establishing the Whitecaps at the highest level of the game on this continent,” said Paul Barber, Whitecaps FC chief executive officer. “I would like to thank the club, my associates, our partners, and of course our fantastic supporters for a very rewarding experience in a great city. I will continue to be a proud ambassador for the club in the future.”

"On behalf of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, I would like to thank Paul for his two years of service at the club,” added Jeff Mallett, co-owner of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. “Paul and his executive team played a crucial role in the evolution of the club into Major League Soccer in 2011. Paul’s contributions to the club are numerous and will have a positive impact for years to come. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

During his tenure as CEO, Barber was the senior operating executive liaison with the club’s ownership group and Major League Soccer. Moving forward, these responsibilities will be assumed by chief operating officer Rachel Lewis,  and Vancouver Whitecaps FC president, Bob Lenarduzzi.

Vancouver Whitecaps Confirm Martin Rennie Rumours

As many members of the media had predicted, Vancouver announced today that current Carolina Railhawks Head Coach Martin Rennie will in fact be the new head coach of the Whitecaps.

Paul Barber claimed that "We are thrilled to have Martin joining our club" and "Martin is Widely recognized as one of the top young coaches in North America"

Rennie will step in next season to allow current Director of Soccer Operations Tom Soehn to refocus on his original role. Soehn  currently fills the head coaching void left by Teitur Thordason after he was unceremoniously released by the club at the end of May.

Rennie's high praise as one of the up and coming young coaches in North America does not come unwarranted; since coming across to North America he has done nothing but win and will look to continue his solid run of success on this side of the Atlantic.  His coaching style tends to focus on maintaining possession of the ball in the opponents half of the pitch.  This falls in line with what Tom Soehn has set up for him here in the Terminal City. Thordason's kick and chase up the wing approach failed to bring results and seemed to be a waste of his squads talents. Since joining the Raleigh based Railhawks his squad has out scored their opponents 272 to 147 in the last 3 seasons.

Rennie is slated to begin his tenure with the Whitecaps once the Railhawks season is finished and at their current pace it could be a long season.  Carolina currently sit atop the leagues standings with 9 regular season matches remaining. They have already clinched a playoff birth and have outscored their opponents on the season 40 to 16. A big stat Whitecaps fans will appreciate is that he only has 21 draws in his last 91 games.

Hatred in the Stands

The Southsiders are known for their clever taunts and chants, and things have kicked off to a new level with regards to cheers and songs with the additions of new supporter groups throughout the stadium. Last night we saw something a little different as Montreal and Vancouver played out the second tie of their NCC Semi Final. A flare made its way to the pitch. 

If you look on the Southsiders forum board it is an act that is being outright condemned by the entire assembly and accusations are being thrown about as to where the "flare bitch" made their way from. While a flare is a big deal and caused significant damage to both the pitch and the L.E.D. sign boards, the reality of the situation is that this incident miraculously has drawn far more attention then the outright display of bigotry that was being sung by our loudest group of fans. As these groups add more members to their numbers and control of their actions become more difficult to regulate, the question begs to be asked; who will throw the first banana? and when they do will anybody care?


for the rest of this article click this link to The Canadian Soccer News; Vancouver Insider

Vancouver Whitecaps to play Manchester City

Vancouver-- Whitecaps Chief Executive Officer Paul Barber was busy sending out emails on his Iphone as we all waited on Bob Lenarduzzi's arrival for a big announcement. Then it happened almost as soon as Bobby walked in the door there was an air of excitement that filled the room. Then like a bomb the news was broken.  Manchester City will be the first big European squad to take the field in Vancouver against the Whitecaps.

A couple pictures from the whitecaps home opener

Closed Door Exhibition Exclusive: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids

[B]East Vancouver[/B-- The final dress rehearsal before the Vancouver Whitecaps first kick was held behind the closed doors of Empire Stadium.  The last exhibition match of the pre-season brought defending MLS Champion Colodaro Rapids. With exactly 7 days remaining until the 'Caps first ever MLS home game the stage was set for what amounts to probably the most important game of the preseason.

For the rest of this article check out The Vancouver Insider on The Canadian Soccer News

Whoa Video Games Video Games Video Games!

O.K. So I don't get out much obviously. When I found out that the Whitecaps were holding another press conference at EA Sports headquarters I was about as excited as I was Christmas eve 1996, waiting to open the latest instalment of NHL the next morning.  Wait what was I talking about again???

To actually read this article you should check the Vancouver Insider page at The Canadian Soccer News

Countdown to Kick off:9 Days Remaining Pt.2

Vancouver-
Today things were a little more exciting then they have been recently. The Whitecaps introduced their first DP Eric Hassli to the media, his english is going to need some work but he showed fantastic form in his first practice with the squad. Rumours about contract signings were all the buzz today as Tyler Green (of the Team 1040) pointed out to everyone earlier in the day that MLS' twitter app was saying that the club has signed ST Long Tan, FB Blake Wagner, and GK Brian Sylvestre.

Beyond the press conference it was business as usual for the 'Caps. I'll post the video of Hassli's introduction as soon as it is finished loading onto my new youtube channel.


You can check out the rest of my news and notes on todays day at training camp on The Canadian Soccer News.

Whitecaps Insider Intro

Countdown to Kickoff: 12 Days Left

-Vancouver Tuesday March 8th

Training Camp News and Notes

For this article please check out The Vancouver Insider at The Canadian Soccer News

Youngsters Shine as 'Caps Hold Off Seattle For 3-2 Victory

As the Cascadia Supporters Summit Series drew to a close the Vancouver Whitecaps got goals from Omar Salgado and Russell Teibert before the game was twenty minutes in. They managed to fend off a late charge by the Seattle Sounders to finish the game with a 3-2 Victory. 



To find out more check out this article at The Canadian Soccer News

Sportsnet Broadcast Schedule.

Adam Boyd linked to Vancouver Whitecaps FC

According to British paper The Daily Mail, The Vancouver Whitecaps are supposedly courting Hartlepool United striker Adam Boyd. With Atiba Harris being the only striker currently signed to the squad that can play before September, the club will be scouring the planet over the next 30 days to find a couple of lads to put the ball in the net. Atiba Harris' career high for goals in a season is 4 so hopefully help is on the way.

for more on this story please check out The Canadian Soccer News

BC Place to Open by September 30th

As the last mast was placed in early January is there a chance something went wrong.

A welder working on the last mast before it was set to be erected.

BC Place set to open by September 30th

Read more at http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?132-vancouver-insider

Plan the Parade to Robson Square!

Some might call it a meaningless scrimmage, others might even call it an opportunity for coaches to watch rusty players trip guys other then their own teammates. Here at the Vancouver Insider we're going to call it what it really is, The 'Caps second preseason whipping of the Claret and Cobalt in as many years.  

For the rest of this article check out The Canadian Soccer News

Whitecaps FC Striker Omar Salgado Drawing Attention from Arsenal

The Whitecaps first overall selection in this year's MLS Superdraft, Omar Salgado, is apparently being followed closely by Arsenal and their coaching staff. The Daily Mirror is reporting that...

"Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the “new Chicharito” - Omar Salgado, a 17-year-old striker with Vancouver Whitecaps."

Arsene Wenger and Teitur Thordason are pals so if a deal eventually goes through someday on this kid don't act too surprised.  He can't play in a country outside his national homeland until he is 18 (September of this year) so unless his family moves with him don't expect any moves to London or anywhere else overseas for that matter.

Whitecaps Training Camp 2011 Day 3: News and Notes

Today the intensity picked up a  bit with the focus seeming to be a little more towards getting into game speed. Everybody seemed to have calmed down from their first couple days where you could clearly see the players were nervous or even anxious to prove their worth to the club.

The 'Caps Announce Budwiser as Official Beer Sponsor for 2011

Photo Credit Ian Azariah

Whitecaps have finally announced their official beer sponsor for their first season in MLS.  It doesn't come as a great surprise that they were in need of a new, bigger named partner. Last year The 'Caps were sponsored by Pacific Pilsner (Western Pacific Brewing Co.).  They were a great sponsor, but there wasn't a chance in hell they were going to be able to put forth the advertising dollars, and generate the revenues that Budweiser will. The union with Budweiser begins immediately, and will last 5 years. While the deal is with "The Club"  it will not crossover to the youth and USL Player Development League teams for obvious reasons. However there will be the opportunity for the deal to include the women's team. For more juicy details from Paul Barber; CEO of the Whitecaps, and Howard Crossley; Gm of BC Place read more at The Vancouver Inisder Page on Canadian Soccer News.

(Oh and we've got pictures of the Bud Girls to attract that lowest common denominator.)

Photo Credit:Ian Azariah

Whitecaps Training Camp 2011 Day 3: News and Notes

For the first time all week (while I have been there at least) the boys in blue and white finally got down to some technical training. Otherwise it was just a pretty standard early season training session. Morfaw, Nanchoff, DeMerit, and Thorrington did not participate in the full speed training drills. Joe Cannon got a little more involved in the goaltending activities being conducted at the North end of the pitch. The weather finally co-operated with the club and it was actually a good day to train on. I am sure the recent signings finally got a chance to appreciate the venue that they were at.  For the real big news of the day check out my post for The Vancouver Insider on Canadian Soccer News

Whitecaps Training Camp 2011 Day 2: News and Notes

Not much change from yesterday. Far less media attention though. The Whitecaps did however announce that they will be adding 2 games against the L.A. Galaxy (February 20th and 22nd) to their preseason schedule as they prepare for the home opener against TFC on Saturday March 19. This will give The 'Caps a total of 7 preseason matches south of the boarder (specifically in Arizona and then the Cascadia Summit in Washington).

The Blue and White had a later start yesterday as the team was completing "The Cooper Test" which involves running around a 400m track as many times as possible in 12 minutes. Shea Salinas and Bilal Duckett had the top two scores. Salinas (9 laps completed) finished a mere 10 metres ahead of the rookie Duckett. 



To Check out the rest of this article click here to redirect to The Canadian Soccer News Vancouver Insider

Whitecaps Training Camp 2011 Day 1: News and Notes

It was a very soggy day here today in Vancouver as the Blue and White took the pitch for the first time as a group in 2011. Before the players took the field Bob Lenarduzzi, Tom Soehn, and Teitur Thordason, each addressed the media. There isn't a lot of sense in going over everything that was said today because there were not a lot of surprises. The big hitters came in and asked a lot of questions most of us already knew the answers for. 

However Bob Lenarduzzi did happen to mention that The 'Caps expect to be into BC Place in late September, and Teitur casually threw it out there that the team is still looking to add one more preseason game to the schedule in the last week before the season starts. 


Read the rest of this article at The Canadian Soccer News

Vancouver Whitecaps Present New Left Back Alain Rochat

VANCOUVER, BC - With preseason training set to begin next week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of Canadian-born defender Alain Rochat to the club's Major League Soccer roster - pending his international transfer certificate. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"We're delighted to add Alain to our MLS squad," said Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. "He brings a wealth of experience and has won titles in a top-flight European league and has played in prestigious European club competitions like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup."

Initially acquired from FC Zürich by Whitecaps FC during the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League season on August 17, the 27-year-old spent the remainder of last year on loan at the Swiss Super League outfit. The 6-foot, 170-pound defender - who can play left fullback as well as centre back - started all 14 appearances during his loan spell with FC Zürich.

"I'm excited by this new challenge to play in North America and in Major League Soccer,” said Rochat. “Vancouver is a beautiful city, and Whitecaps FC have been very welcoming to me and my family, since I made the decision to first sign with the club last summer."

The native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, first joined FC Zürich on loan during the 2006-07 season from Stade Rennais FC of France’s Ligue 1 before making his move permanent the following season. In four-and-a-half seasons with FC Zürich, Rochat made 154 appearances, scoring nine goals, and recording 10 assists. During this time, Rochat helped FC Zürich to Swiss Super League championship titles during the 2006-07 and 2008-09 campaigns. In the 2009-10 season, Rochat helped FC Zürich reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, where they faced Spanish giants Real Madrid, Italian powerhouse AC Milan, and France's Olympique de Marseille in Group C.

Prior to his recent spell with FC Zürich, Rochat joined Stade Rennais FC at the start of the 2005-06 French Ligue 1 season and appeared in 11 matches for the Brittany-based club. From 2001 to 2005, the defender played four seasons with Switzerland's Berner Sport Club (BSC) Young Boys. Rochat started his professional career in 1999 with Yverdon Sport FC, who were then members of the Swiss Super League.

Rochat, who moved from Canada to Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, when he was two, appeared for Switzerland at the youth international level before making his senior international debut on June 4, 2005, as Switzerland claimed a 3-1 away victory over the Faroe Islands in Group Four of European qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

R.E.B. and CMNT U-23's Are off to Phoenix

Canada's men's U-23 / Olympic team will hold a 10-day training camp this 13-22 January in Phoenix, AZ. Coach Tony Fonseca has selected 20 players for the camp featuring players born 1989 or later.

"We are looking forward to seeing our players for the first time this year," said coach Tony Fonseca.

Coach Fonseca's roster features five new players taking part in their first U-23 camp. Those five new faces are Kyle Bekker of Boston College, Carl Haworth of FC London, Evan James of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Adam Janssen of Long Island University, and Babayele Sodade of University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Because of the time of year, only two players called to this camp comes from a European club (Michal Misiewicz and Fabrice Lassonde). Six of the 20 players are tied to clubs in Canada (plus two that are unattached) while eight players are tied to clubs in USA.

Of the 20 players, three of them also have experience with the national "A" team. Those three are Nana Attakora, Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Eddy Sidra.

Canada's men's U-23 / Olympic camp features players born 1989 or later. The team is making early preparations for next year's 2012 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament. Already since the start of 2010, coach Fonseca’s program has featured 36 players in three projects.

Canada v. Greece match details announced!

The CSA announced today that the Men will be playing their friendly against Greece at 4pm on February 9th 2011 in Larissa.



Read more about it here

Is No News Bad News?

Vancouver- Last season the Whitecaps brought in a Defender by the name of Maloud Akloul. He is an absolute house of a man. Despite his intimidating profile the incredibly personable Frenchmen won the clubs Blue and White Award for Community Service and Spirit last year while he spent the majority of the season rehabbing a surgically repaired ankle. 

MLS Crapshoot 2011!

I... I... I mean SuperDraft 2011!

Placing all your hopes for the future in drafting a college player has its pitfalls. Ask anyone who was a fan of the Vancouver Grizzlies, heck ask a TFC fan about Zach Herold. Luckily though, for every horror story that is out there, there are countless successes.

for the rest of the story about Vancouver's position in this years draft click here