VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Wednesday their 2018 preseason schedule, which includes trips to Hawaii, Nevada, and California for camp and friendlies.
"We're looking forward to a competitive preseason to set the tone for 2018," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "We have a strong core group who are motivated to build on last season, and we'll have a number of new players who will come in hungry to fight for positions. Our focus is to hit the ground running by the time the season starts in March."
The 'Caps preseason schedule includes training camp and friendlies in Hawaii from January 31 to February 10, where the 'Caps will be competing in the Pacific Rim Tournament at Aloha Stadium. Whitecaps FC will be joined by MLS Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew SC, J1 League club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and Fukushima Prefectural Football League Division 1 side Iwaki FC. The trip begins with a closed-door match on February 6, with details to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The four-team tournament kicks off when Whitecaps FC clash with Iwaki FC on February 8, then concludes on February 10 with the Championship and Third-Place Matches. To join the 'Caps at the Pacific Rim Cup in Hawaii, contact Uniglobe One Travel - Neal Chark at nealc@uniglobeone.com or call 604.677.1495 – at any time for immediate, professional and expedited service.
Also on the preseason docket is a trip to Nevada for a friendly against USL expansion club Las Vegas Lights FC on February 17 at Cashman Field, coinciding with the early part of the California training camp. Fans can call 702.728.GOAL for ticket information.
The last of the preseason trips will be in Southern California, where the 'Caps hold camp from February 16 to 25, including a pair of fixtures against fellow MLS clubs. The 'Caps play expansion side Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) on the UCLA campus on February 18. Whitecaps FC will also play an additional match on February 21. Details for the two friendlies will be announced closer to match day. Then on February 24, the 'Caps play their final preseason match against Western Conference rival LA Galaxy at StubHub Center in Carson. Tickets for the preseason finale will be on sale to the general public beginning on December 12 on lagalaxy.com.
Whitecaps FC train in Vancouver from January 22 to 31, February 11 to 16, and February 27 to March 2 at the WFC National Soccer Development Centre at UBC.
The MLS regular season schedule will be announced at a later date.
2018 Whitecaps FC season tickets are now available on whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
Important dates:
January 22 to 31: Training in Vancouver, BC
January 31: Travel to Honolulu, HI
February 6: Preseason friendly (closed-door). Details TBC.
February 8: Whitecaps FC vs. Iwaki FC (7 p.m. PT) at Aloha Stadium
February 10: Third-Place Match (7 p.m. PT) or Championship Match (10 p.m. PT) at Aloha Stadium
February 11 to 16: Training in Vancouver, BC
February 16: Separate groups travel to Las Vegas, NV and Long Beach, CA
February 17: Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Whitecaps FC (8 p.m. PT) at Cashman Field
February 18: LAFC vs. Whitecaps FC (5 p.m. PT) on UCLA campus
February 21: Preseason friendly. Details TBC.
February 24: LA Galaxy vs. Whitecaps FC (7 p.m. PT) at StubHub Center
February 25: Travel to Vancouver, BC
February 27 to March 2: Training in Vancouver, BC
