Vancouver Whitecaps FC enter MLS era with new adidas kit

VANCOUVER, June 10 /CNW Telbec/ - In a special event at Bell's offices today, Vancouver Whitecaps FC revealed the new uniforms the club will wear during their inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011. The event follows the launch of the club's new brand, logo and ticket information.

Whitecaps FC men's team captain Martin Nash and women's team striker Kara Lang proudly donned the new uniforms during today's event at Bell.

"The new kits combine leading-edge technology, which will make for optimal performance on the pitch, while at the same time paying tribute to the many traditions that Whitecaps FC have established over the years," explained Whitecaps FC President Bob Lenarduzzi. "Soccer fans around the world take great pride in displaying their passion and loyalty for their favourite team by wearing their team's jersey on a regular basis. We believe both our many long-serving fans and new supporters of the club will proudly wear these new jerseys throughout Vancouver or wherever they may be around the globe."

Produced by world-renowned soccer brand and official MLS uniform supplier adidas, the new kit includes a jersey featuring the club's recently unveiled logo on the left chest, an MLS logo on the right arm and a Canadian flag on the left arm. The front of the jerseys will also have the brand logo of Bell, the club's new Premier Founding Partner. On the back collar, the text 'Since 1974' pays homage to the year when Whitecaps FC played their first season in the old North American Soccer League.

In keeping with the main traditions of the club, the new Whitecaps FC primary uniform will be all-white with "deep sea" blue trim. This includes the famous adidas three stripes running from the collar and down both arms of the primary jersey in deep sea blue, while thin horizontal stripes of deep sea blue run across the front of the jersey from above the chest and grow in thickness down the jersey's front. The horizontal stripes represent the lines in the water that are commonly seen across Vancouver's waterfront.

The new secondary uniform incorporates the club's other primary colour of deep sea blue with white trim. This includes three adidas stripes running from the collar and down both arms of the jersey in white. The secondary jersey also incorporates a pattern drawn from the shape of the new Whitecaps FC logo.

"The Whitecaps have had a great tradition in British Columbia, and we are extremely proud to partner with them and to be associated with such a premier club," said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Chief Brand Officer for Bell. "Bell shares a passion for the sport and we're looking forward to sharing exclusive Whitecaps content with our soccer-loving mobile clients across Canada."

In addition to Whitecaps FC's MLS side, the new kit will be worn throughout the club, including Whitecaps FC's W-League team, full-time Residency program, and the club's numerous Prospects teams.

Fans can pre-order the new Whitecaps FC uniforms and purchase newly branded team merchandise by visiting whitecapsfc.com. The new uniforms will be available for purchase this November.

Earlier this week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC unveiled the club's new brand and logo, as well as 2011 ticket information. Fans can secure MLS 2011 season tickets by purchasing a $50 deposit during this Saturday's public on-sale, beginning at 10 a.m. PT. Season tickets will start at $319, and will include a minimum of 17 matches throughout the season. The Whitecaps will begin play in MLS in March 2011 at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver. For additional information on Whitecaps FC, please visit www.whitecapsfc.com.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media inquiries: Nathan Vanstone, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 604.629.2251, [email protected]; Jeff Meerman, Bell Media Relations, 604.678.7377, [email protected]