CLUB HISTORY

In 1968 the United Soccer Association and the National Professional Soccer League merged to form the North American Soccer League. Vancouver embarks on its second season after changing their nickname from "Royal Canadians" to just "Royals" and absorbing the San Francisco Gales franchise. The team was essentialy Sunderland AFC. After the 1968 season the Vancouver Royals withdrew from the North American Soccer League in October after only two seasons after finishing last in the Pacific Division with a record of 12 wins, 5 draws and 15 losses and an average attendance of 6,197.

However, not to be denied football on the coast - the Vancouver Whitecaps officially enter the North American Soccer League on December 11th, 1973. In the 1974 NASL Season, the Whitecaps debut in front of 17,343 people at Empire Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes. Whitecaps tie the match 1-1 after 90 minutes but are credited with a loss after the "shootout" tiebreaker. Whitecaps first ever goal scored (for trivia buffs) by Neil Ellett. following several years of stability and success, in 1979 the Vancouver Whitecaps captured the NASL championship - and go on to win the "Soccer Bowl" after defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 in the NASL Championship game at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Approximately 100,000 fans line the streets around Robson Square in downtown Vancouver to welcome the team home.

After achieving the NASL and North American pinnacle, the Caps enjoyed several winning seasons, and, in 1983, Moved into BC Place Stadium. (which could accommodate seating capacity of 60,000 and had an artificial turf surface, leaving ole' Empire Stadium behind). The move was short lived however, for in 1984 the North American Soccer League and Vancouver Whitecaps folded due to league instability.

Current era of the Vancouver Whitecaps/86ers:

The now current chapter of the Vancouver Whitecaps is the longest "continuously running" club playing in a professional league in Canada or US in outdoor soccer history. The team was founded as the Vancouver 86ers on July 26th, 1986, and played its first official game on June 7th, 1987 (a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Brickmen). Vancouver played in the CSL from its inception in 1987 until it folded in 1992, and then moved over to the APSL in 1993 which was later absorbed into the USL hierarchy of leagues in 1997 - becoming the A-League.

Some of the more recent accomplishments of this storied club included:

-Four consecutive CSL championships (from 1988-91)
-Finished first place six consecutive seasons (1988-92 CSL, 1993 APSL)
-Set a World (not just North American) professional sports record 46-match undefeated streak in 1989 (previous record held by Blackburn Rovers at 42 matches)
-Won the 1990 North American Club Championship (North America's version of the F.A. Cup)

After a rebuilding phase of several years, Vancouver has enjoyed a winning season and made the playoffs for the past four years consecutively. In 1998, Vancouver was named the A-League Organization of the year. In 1999, the club finished fourth place overall in the A-League - and recorded the highest Goals For total in A-League history.

On August 24th, 2000 the club was sold by owner David Braley to Starlight Sports & Entertainment (now known as Sportsworks Entertainment), headed by local owner David Stadnyk. On August 26th, 2000 the club reverted back to the name Whitecaps - reviving the popular era of professional football of the NASL franchise of 1974-84.

In 2002 Stadnyk deserted the organization after mismanaging his assets. the club was run by the league for the remainder of the season. The club was in peril of folding when Greg Kerfoot stepped in and saved the club from certain demise.  a training facility at SFU has been constructed and a new stadium is planned for downtown Vancouver. The Whitecaps also won the Cascadia Cup in their 2004 and 2005 seasons and the 2006 USL First Division Championship.