VANCOUVER, BC –Friday's launch of Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2), Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s new USL PRO team, will undoubtedly be a big boost for the club's development pathway for their young talent.
But the new Whitecaps FC 2 side will also play an important role for Vancouver's first team. While all the scheduling logistics still need to be ironed out, head coach Carl Robinson will have the ability to get his reserve players and those coming back from injury vital competitive minutes.
“It'll give our senior players, the ones that aren't getting regular minutes in our MLS squad, an opportunity to stay match fit,” club president Bob Lenarduzzi told reporters on Friday. “If we play a first team game on Saturday, regardless of who we're playing against, those players that don’t get a game could [feature for WFC2 if we can play on the Sunday]. Aside from the primary reason as to why we've established [WFC2], which is for our Residency players, those senior players are going to get a game.”
Vancouver have closely watched how the LA Galaxy have operated their USL PRO team, LA Galaxy II, this past season, and the opportunities it provided to get playing time for those senior-squad members not seeing regular action.
“That's something that we've really been struggling with," Lenarduzzi said. "I don't think we have just been struggling with it: that's a struggle for MLS, in general. That's why you're seeing more teams evolve to this partnership between MLS and USL and take the advantage of the opportunity."
Six other MLS clubs will have their own USL PRO sides in 2015, including both of Vancouver’s Pacific Northwest rivals.
"One of the things that we'll have at the USL level that we also have at the MLS level is the Cascadia rivalry that we have with Portland and Seattle," Lenarduzzi said. "In principle, it would be great to match up that way, to take advantage of traveling supporters coming up and perhaps staying the next day.”
And Lenarduzzi isn't ruling out same-day double-headers featuring the two Whitecaps FC teams playing one after the other at BC Place.
“It's something that we would probably put on the table, but we haven't got to that level of detail just yet,” the 'Caps president said. “That'll be part of the discussion in terms of nailing down exactly what we can do to maximize the opportunities for our USL team and our MLS team.”
For more information and news about WFC2, visit the official website at whitecapsfc2.com and follow the team on Facebook.
Whitecaps FC 2 matches will be a unique, affordable experience for soccer fans, families, students, and supporters. The club is now accepting $50 deposits on Season Tickets, which start at $118 plus applicable fees – just $8 per match – for current MLS Season Ticket Holders and the UBC campus community including residents, students, staff, and faculty. A limited supply of family packs are also available, starting at $199. For more information on all ticket options go to whitecapsfc2.com or call 604.669.9283 ext.1.
