Vancouver Whitecaps FC made it official on Friday, announcing that they will launch a USL PRO team that will begin play in spring 2015, called Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2).
WFC2 will be owned and operated by Whitecaps FC and will play all home matches on the David Sidoo Field at Thunderbird Stadium (below, right), an extension of the club's training home at the University of British Columbia: the National Soccer Development Centre (NSDC).
In partnership with UBC and the Government of British Columbia, the club also revealed preliminary renderings of the final phase of the NSDC, featuring a state-of-the-art fieldhouse (subject to final UBC Board of Governors approval), which is set to be completed prior to the start of the 2017 Major League Soccer (MLS) preseason.
"Today marks another important milestone for our club and another step forward in our partnership with UBC," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "We're thrilled to be launching our USL PRO team at UBC. We have many talented young players at our club, including nine Residency products who recently did very well internationally with our Canadian U-20 men's national team. WFC2 will allow them to continue their development against quality competition, including our fellow Cascadia rivals from Seattle and Portland.
"Along with the renderings of our new training facility, we have a clear view into our future. These initiatives will provide a positive impact and lasting legacy for Whitecaps FC, Canadian soccer, UBC, and the community at large."
As a bridge between the club's Residency program and MLS first team, WFC2 will replace the club's U-23 team and allow promising young players to develop in a competitive professional environment. Whitecaps FC are the seventh MLS club to officially field a team in USL PRO for the 2015 season, joining Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers (T2) and Seattle Sounders FC (Sounders FC 2), as well as LA Galaxy (LA Galaxy II), Montreal Impact (FC Montreal), Real Salt Lake (Real Monarchs), and Toronto FC. All MLS clubs are expected to either field their own team or have an affiliate in USL PRO next season.
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In September 2012, Whitecaps FC, UBC, and the B.C. government announced a joint initiative to construct and operate a shared-use soccer training facility at UBC. In February 2013, an improved grass field and locker room access was completed.
In addition to Whitecaps FC's MLS team, the NSDC will become the permanent training home for the club's USL PRO and youth sides, as well as UBC's varsity teams, student recreation participants and community partners. Once completed, the NSDC at UBC will include five constructed, refurbished, and improved fields – three grass and two artificial turf – as well as the new 35,000+ square foot fieldhouse.
