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