Whitecaps v TFC Matchday Info

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE THE MATCH

Tickets: Your ticket for the March 19 match is attached to your season ticket holder scarf. DO NOT REMOVE / DISCARD this sticker. You will not gain entry to Empire Field without the ticket/sticker.

Getting There: TransLink has significantly boosted service linking to Empire Field on match day, we recommend you consider transit when planning your trip to the match.
>Transportation information

Drums: Five thousand drums will be handed out to season ticket holders in various locations of Empire Field before the match begins. Drums will only be given to season ticket holders wearing a season ticket holder scarf. Quantities are limited so get there early to make sure you get one!
What to Wear: Join the sea of white - wear white! IMPORTANT: Empire Field can feel colder than the surrounding area. Wear layers – be prepared for sun, snow and rain.

Spectator Information: Check out the Match Day section of whitecapsfc.com to learn what you can and cannot bring into Empire Field, what food and beverage is offered at the concessions, where to purchase your official Whitecaps FC merchandise, and much more!

Last Minute Season Ticket Pick-Up: We strongly recommend that you make every effort to pick-up your season ticket packages before March 19 to avoid line-ups and having to take your season ticket packages into the first match. There will be last minute season ticket holder pick up on Miller Drive just before the North Gate at Empire Field from noon – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (see map below).

Note: Tickets will only be released to the primary account holder. Proper photo identification is required, preferably a driver's license. Please contact your account manager at 604.669.9283 by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 18 if someone other than the primary account holder will be picking up your tickets.

Supporter Pledge: Your Club needs you. Come prepared to play your part.

Canadian women move up to sixth on world ranking

Canada has moved up to sixth place on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking, the highest position ever for the national team since the rankings were introduced in 2003. Canada posted the biggest jump of any nation, gaining 54 points on the heels of eight wins, two draws and one loss in the three-plus months since the last ranking in November. The most recent ranking includes Canada's first-place finish at the 12-team Cyprus Women's Cup from 2-9 March.


The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings looks at each country’s international results from the last four years. The ranking takes into account the result, the importance of the match, the strength of the opponent, the regional strength, the time period, and the number of matches per year. The ranking comes out four times a year.

Canada is now one of six countries with 2,000 or more points on the ranking. Canada (2,028) joins USA (2,191), Germany (2,153), Brazil (2,098), Japan (2,062) and Sweden (2,043) in the top group of six nations. This marks the first time ever that Canada has eclipsed the 2,000-point milestone.

Canada had previously ranked as high as 9th overall several times over the last four years. Canada and China PR played the most matches of any nation in the most recent quarter, 11 matches from December to early March. Canada's 54-point jump nearly doubled its previous biggest jump of 28 points in November 2010. Canada has gained 82 points and jumped seven places on the ranking (from 13th to 6th) in the last six months.

Since 30 September 2010, Canada's international record is 14 wins, two draws and one loss. Canada finished first at the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifier, first at the 2010 Torneio Internacional in Brazil, second at the 2011 Yongchuan Cup Four-Nation Women’s Tournament in China PR, and first at the 2011 Cyprus Women's Cup in Cyprus.

FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP RANKING
1 USA 2,191
2 Germany 2,153
3 Brazil 2,098
4 Japan 2,062
5 Sweden 2,043
6 Canada 2,028
7 France 1,997
8 Korea DPR 1,995
9 Norway 1,989
10 England 1,962

Canada U-20 camp roster

Canada has announced a 24-player roster for its upcoming men’s U-20 camp in Sunrise, FL, USA. This camp will serve as the final preparatory camp before the upcoming 2011 CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala from 28 March to 10 April. Coach Valerio Gazzola will use this final camp to select his official 20-player roster for the CONCACAF tournament.

The CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship features 12 teams from across the confederation. Only four teams will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011. In the opening group phase, Canada will face Guadeloupe on 28 March and reigning U-20 champion Costa Rica on 1 April. The quarter-final stage is 5-6 April, the semi-final stage is 8 April, and the final stage is 10 April.

Coach Gazzola has invited four new players to this final camp. Goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas and defenders Andres Fresenga, Tristan Grant and Niko Saler are all taking part in their first Canadian U-20 camp. Varlkokostas (York University) comes from Canadian Interuniversity Sport while Fresenga (Racing Club de Montevideo) and Grant (Club Nacional) are both attached to clubs in Uruguay.

With Saler of FC Edmonton in the fold, this marks the first time that all four clubs from the recently-expanded Nutrilite Canadian Championship are featured in the same Canadian camp. Gazzola’s 24-player roster also includes players from Vancouver Whitecaps FC (residency players Derrick Bassi, Coulton Jackson, Russell Teibert), Toronto FC (Doneil Henry, Matt Stinson and TFC Academy player Ashtone Morgan) and Impact Montréal (Académie players Francesco Augustin).

Actually, three players (Gage, Henry and Stinson) have already been called to first-team rosters for the Nutrilite Canadian Championship in 2009 or 2010. At the youth level, 17 of 24 players have taken part in national youth competitions (National Championships, Nutrilite All Stars or Canada Games) with 13 of them winning at least one national gold medal. Furthermore, 11 players have trained at Canada’s National Training Centres at some time over the last six years.

Canada’s roster also includes two players from the last CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in Trinidad and Tobago (Ethan Gage and Julien Latendresse-Lévesque) and seven players from the 2009 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Mexico (Francesco Augustin, Derrick Bassi, Jaineil Hoilett, Coulton Jackson, Justin Maheu, Jordan Ongaro, Russell Teibert).

To date, Canada has qualified for eight editions of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, including five of the last seven editions dating back to 1997. Canada qualified for that FIFA U-20 World Cup Malaysia 1997 after winning its second CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in 1996. Canada previously won the CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in 1986.


CANADA
GK- Julien Latendresse Lévesque | GER / FC Energie Cottbus
GK- Jordan Santiago | ENG / Cardiff City FC
GK- Sotiri Varlokostas | CAN / York University
D- Francesco Augustin | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
D- Derrick Bassi | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
D- Andres Fresenga | URU / Racing Club de Montevideo
D- Tristan Grant | URU / Club Nacional
D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
D- Niko Saler | CAN / FC Edmonton
D- Chris Suta | Unattached / sans club
D- Roger Thompson | Unattached / sans club
M- Ethan Gage | ENG / Reading FC
M- Jaineil Hoilett | GER / FSV Mainz’05
M- Jonathan Osorio | URU / Club Nacional
M- John Pegg | USA / San Diego State University
M- Matt Stinson | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
F- Lucas Cavallini | URU / Club Nacional
F- Stefan Cebara | HUN / Zalaegerszegi TE
F- Coulton Jackson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
F- Justin Maheu | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
F- Massimo Mirabelli | CAN / Portugal FC
F- Jordan Ongaro | USA / San Diego State University

Canada announces roster for Belarus match

Canada has announced its roster for the upcoming Men's International Friendly against Belarus on 29 March. Coach Stephen Hart has selected 18 players for the match, to be played on a FIFA International Date in Antalya, Turkey. This will be Canada's second international match of the 2011 season.

"It will be another good opportunity to get the squad together in light of this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup," said Canadian national head Stephen Hart. "Belarus is a formidable opponent that has done very well in Euro Qualifiers."

Coach Hart has called five new players for the first time in 2011, including both Nik Ledgerwood and Kevin McKenna who were unavailable in February because of injuries. The other first time call-ups for 2011 are Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault, André Hainault and Mike Klukowski.

All 18 players have international experience with Canada, including goalkeeper Milan Borjan, defender David Edgar and midfielder Tosaint Ricketts who made their debut on 9 February against Greece. The most experienced player is Paul Stalteri, Canada's all-time leader with 84 appearances. Reigning Canadian Player of the Year Atiba Hutchinson and former Canadian Player of the Year Dwayne De Rosario are the two other players with more than 50 appearances to their credit.

Most of the players selected for this camp and international match currently play with professional clubs in Europe. The two exceptions are Hainault of Houston Dynamo and Will Johnson of Real Salt Lake.

The 29 March match will be the first-ever meeting between Canada and Belarus on the international stage. Canada is currently preparing for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup which runs 5-25 June across USA. The CONCACAF Gold Cup will serve as the confederation's qualification route for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.


CANADA
1- GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
2- D- Jaime Peters | ENG / Ipswich Town FC
3- M- Mike Klukowski | TUR / MKE Ankaragücü
4- CB- Kevin McKenna | GER / FC Köln
5- D- André Hainault | USA / Houston Dynamo
6- M- Pedro Pacheco | POR / CD Santa Clara
7- D- Paul Stalteri | GER / Borussia Monchengladbach
8- M- Will Johnson | USA / Real Salt Lake
9- F- Rob Friend | GER / Hertha BSC
10- M- Simeon Jackson | ENG / Norwich City FC
11- M- Josh Simpson | TUR / Vestel Manisaspor
12- CB- Adam Straith | GER / FC Energie Cottbus
13- M- Atiba Hutchinson | NED / PSV Eindhoven
14- D- David Edgar | ENG / Burnley FC
15- DF- Nik Ledgerwood | GER / SV Wehen Wiesbaden
16- M/F- Tosaint Ricketts | ROM / FC Politehnica Timisoara
17- M- Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault | GER / SC Preußen Münster
22- GK- Milan Borjan | SRB / FK Rad

Toronto FC Sign Demitrius Omphroy

Toronto FC announced Wednesday that they have signed defender Demitrius Omphroy. Omphroy was selected in the second round, 26th overall by Toronto in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft
"I want quality defenders and that's why I took Demitrius in the SuperDraft,’ said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter."He is one of the players that I saw at the MLS Combine, and he was on my ranking list and he performed well in preseason.”
Omphroy, 21, spent four years at the University of California where he started in 35 of the 70 matches he played in, collecting four goals and 12 assists in that span. Along with his time at California, Omphroy trained with Sporting Club de Portugal Juniores in Portugal. He has also played for the United States U-15,U-16, and U-18 national teams.
Last season he started in all 20 matches for California and collected six assists. Omphroy was also invited to the Panama national team training camp in June.
Demitrius Omphroy
Position: Defender
Height: 5’10
Weight: 165
Birthdate: May 30, 1989
Place of Birth: Alameda, California
Nationality: American
Last Club: University of California
How Acquired: Selected Second Round, 26th overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft
Pronunciation: “Da-mee-tree-us Om-froy”

Whitecaps Sign Three

WHITECAPS FC ADD SYLVESTRE, DUCKETT, AND BROVSKY

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, defender Bilal Duckett, defender/midfielder Jeb Brovsky have all been signed to the club's Major League Soccer roster - pending their international transfer certificates. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Brian, Bilal, and Jeb are quality young players that work hard in every training session," said Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. "They have the qualities that you look for in a player. They have great attitudes, are athletic, and have good technique. These three players will complement our squad very well for our first season in MLS."

Sylvestre, 18, joins Whitecaps FC's MLS roster as the club's third homegrown player signing alongside midfielders Philippe Davies and Nizar Khalfan. In February 2010, the native of Hollywood, Florida, arrived in Vancouver as a member of the Whitecaps FC Residency program. In March 2010, he started all three of the Residency team's matches in the U-19 Super Group of Dallas Cup XXXI. Those appearances came against Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt, United States national team (91/92) (Mar. 29), and Mexican national team (91/92). This past January, Sylvestre participated in a training camp with the USA U-20 national team in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“I am very excited and looking forward to continuing my development with Vancouver,” said Sylvestre. “The club has lot of history in the city and they provide a great environment for players to continue to develop.”

Duckett, 22, joins the 'Caps after being the top pick in the third round (37th overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13. A native of Peachtree City, Georgia, Duckett was the starting right fullback with the University of Notre Dame during his junior and senior year. Speedy and athletic, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound defender was a Big East Conference Academic All-Star selection as a member of the Fighting Irish in 2009 and 2010.

"It's a dream come true for me to join Whitecaps FC and Major League Soccer," said Duckett. "The club and the city have really welcomed me since I arrived in late January, and I can't wait for the season to start."

Brovsky, 22, formally becomes a member of Teitur Thordarson's squad after initially being selected as the top pick in the second round (19th overall) of this year's SuperDraft. The native of Lakewood, Colorado, makes the jump to MLS after a stellar NCAA Division I career at the University of Notre Dame. He was named to the 2010 All-Big East Conference First Team in his senior year with the Fighting Irish, while he was also a three-time member of the All-Big East Conference Championship Team and a four-time Big East Conference Academic All-Star selection.

“I could not be happier,” said Brovsky. “It has been a dream of mine to play professionally since I was four years old. Vancouver is a beautiful city, the Whitecaps are a first-class club, and I am looking forward to the reaction we receive come when we kick off on March 19.”

Brian Sylvestre
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-05
Weight: 200
Born: December 19, 1992, in Hollywood, Florida
Hometown: Hollywood, Florida
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
How Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract by Whitecaps FC on March 15, 2011

Bilal Duckett
Position: Defender
Height: 6-02
Weight: 165
Born: January 9, 1989, in Macon, Georgia
Hometown: Peachtree City, Georgia
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: University of Notre Dame
How Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract by Whitecaps FC on March 15, 2011

Jeb Brovsky
Position: Defender/midfielder
Height: 6-01
Weight: 170
Born: December 3, 1988, in Lakewood, Colorado
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: University of Notre Dame
How Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract by Whitecaps FC on March 15, 2011

Whitecaps FC Major League Soccer 2011 season tickets start at a base price of $319, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order, and more than 60 per cent of seats are available for less than $31 per game. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com

Canada to face Belarus in Turkey

Canada will face Belarus in a Men’s International Friendly match this 29 March 2011. The match, Canada’s second of the 2011 season, will be played in Antalya, Turkey. This will mark the first ever international meeting between Canada and Belarus.

"It will be another good opportunity to get the squad together in light of this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup," said Canadian national head Stephen Hart.

The 29 March match takes place on an official FIFA International Date. Coach Hart plans to call 18 players to the squad, with some players arriving as early as 21 March depending on their club schedules.

Canada opened the 2011 season in Larissa, Greece on 9 February. Following the 29 March match in Turkey, Canada hopes to organize another match for the next FIFA International Date on 1 June. Canada then opens its 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign on 7 June against USA in Detroit, MI, USA. Canada’s three group opponents this summer are USA on 7 June, Guadeloupe on 11 June (Tampa, FL), and Panama on 14 June (Kansas City, KS).