VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that the club will participate in the 2016 Simple Invitational, the annual preseason tournament hosted by Portland Timbers. The 2016 tournament will take place February 21 to 27 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
- TICKETS:2016 Simple Invitational
In addition to Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers, the competition will also feature MLS rivals Chicago Fire and North American Soccer League (NASL) club Minnesota United FC.
Whitecaps FC will play their first match on Sunday, February 21 against Chicago at 2:30 p.m. PT. They will follow up with a midweek match against the host Timbers on Wednesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. PT. To end the tournament, the Blue and White will face Minnesota on Saturday, February 27 at 2:30 p.m. PT.
This will be the third consecutive year that Whitecaps FC play in Portland's preseason tournament, with the 'Caps posting an unbeaten record of 4W-0L-2D combined in their two previous appearances.
Last year, Carl Robinson's team won 1-0 against Portland, 3-2 over Norwegian club Stabæk, and played to a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire.
In 2014, the ‘Caps concluded their preseason by going undefeated at the Rose City Invitational, as the tournament was known at the time. Included among the results were a 5-1 win over Jamaican side Portmore United, a 2-0 victory against San Jose Earthquakes, and a 1-1 draw versus the host Timbers.
Tickets, which allow entry into both matches each day, start at $10 and go on sale to the general public starting Friday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m. PT online at www.timbers.com. Full tournament ticket packages for The Simple Invitational, starting at $39, also will be available for purchase online.
2016 Simple Invitational Schedule
Sunday, February 21
2:30 p.m. Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
5:00 p.m. Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC
Wednesday, February 24
5:00 p.m. Minnesota United vs. Chicago Fire
7:30 p.m. Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday, February 27
2:30 p.m. Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC
5:00 p.m. Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire
2016 Whitecaps FC Preseason Schedule
- February 3: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 4 p.m. PT, Grandstand Field (Desert Friendlies)
- February 6: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m. PT, Grandstand Field (Desert Friendlies)
- February 9: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Houston Dynamo, 5 p.m. PT, North Stadium (Desert Friendlies)
- February 21: Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2:30 p.m PT, Providence Park (Simple Invitational)
- February 24: Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7:30 p.m. PT, Providence Park (Simple Invitational)
- February 27: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC, 2:30 p.m. PT, Providence Park (Simple Invitational)
*All kickoff times and matchups are subject to change.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
