According to various reports,Vancouver will be awarded a Major League Soccer expansion franchise by the end of this month.
The new MLS team would replace the existing Whitecaps club, which competes in the United Soccer League's First Division. The new team would take the name Whitecaps and begin play in 2011.
The MLS is planning to expand by two teams, and hopes to announce the successful applicants by March 31.
MLS received seven bids in October, but Montreal, Atlanta and Miami later pulled out. That left Vancouver, Ottawa, Portland, Ore., and St. Louis. Ottawa's bid is backed by billionaire Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, but city council is having trouble deciding on competing stadium proposals.
The Vancouver bid looks to have an edge in that it is the only one with solid financial backing and a completed stadium plan. The new team would play in B.C. Place Stadium, which will be fitted with a retractable roof.
Launched in 1996, MLS has grown from an eight-team league to a 14-team operation. Toronto FC, the first Canadian club in MLS, joined the league in 2007.
MLS will expand to 16 clubs with the addition of a team in Seattle in 2009 and Philadelphia in 2010.
With files from The Globe and Mail's Matthew Sekeres
