The Vancouver Whitecaps are expected to hold a press conference Wednesday to reveal that their bid to bring Major League Soccer to Vancouver by 2011 has been successful.
Sources told CTV that the Whitecaps are finalizing a deal that will make the United Soccer League club one of two expansion franchises that will be added to the MLS roster, which is expected to reach 18 by 2011, up from 15 now.
It means the Whitecaps can look forward to playing other elite North American teams like Toronto FC, the L.A. Galaxy, and the Seattle Sounders.
An agreement will mark a major victory for Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot, and President Bob Lenarduzzi, who played for the Whitecaps when they were members of the North American Soccer League between 1974 and 1984.
By 2011, the Whitecaps will have moved from Burnaby to a new temporary home in the BC Place Stadium, which will be re-configured to host 20,000 spectators for MLS games.
The club's long-term goal is to build its own soccer specific stadium in a location near Vancouver's Gastown district.
