Current season ticket holders have the opportunity to renew prior to that window:

To show you, the 12th man, our appreciation for your continued support, for 12 days from September 22 to October 3, we are offering 12% off 2013 Season Tickets - a savings of 35% over single match tickets.

As part of the 'Caps family we would like to give you an exclusive opportunity to renew your season tickets now so you can take full advantage of the special offer prior to the 12 day window. We look forward to seeing you in the stands again in 2013.

They've also restructured the pricing zones in the supporters end.

Apparently videographer Paul Albi Jr. is no longer working for the club either. I'm not sure if Albi was just on a contract, but he supplied the club with a great service, videoing events such as supporters' away trips and the Juan de Fuca Plate finale.

Curious as to why this shrinkage of FO staff is happening. Have the four club owners decided to tighten the financial belts? Is more of the club's budget being directed to players?

I hope the club doesn't intend to replace these staffers with unpaid interns. I noticed that a lot of match previews/reports were penned by interns as of last season...

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that John Furlong, former chief executive officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), has been named executive chair of the club. Furlong assumes his new role with Whitecaps FC effective immediately.

As executive chair and the most senior member of the club’s executive team, Furlong joins president Bob Lenarduzzi, and chief operating officer Rachel Lewis, to lead the broad business operations of Whitecaps FC as the club continues its second season in Major League Soccer (MLS). He will also play an active strategic role with the club’s ownership group.

"Today marks another historic day for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and on behalf of our ownership group, I am excited to welcome John to our team,” said Jeff Mallett, Whitecaps FC co-owner. “Throughout his tenure at VANOC, from the bid stage through to the completion of a highly successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, John has become one of the most respected and recognized leaders in Canada.”

“The ‘Caps ownership group is committed to its long-term vision of growing the club, and building and delivering a team – on and off the pitch – that our partners, supporters, and community can all be proud of," added Mallett. "We look forward to John’s contributions to helping us achieve our mandate.”

"Whitecaps FC have a long and rich history with a demonstrated commitment to developing and growing the thriving sport of soccer in British Columbia and Canada. I look forward to being part of this next chapter and contributing everything that I can to help all areas of the club succeed,” said Furlong. “As a lifelong supporter, I know that the experience for fans at a Major League Soccer match is unique, unlike any other sport, and we have only just begun to explore its enormous potential.”

Furlong was introduced by Jeff Mallett at a media conference today in downtown Vancouver.

About John Furlong:

John Furlong created the vision and led the team that bid for, organized, and staged the highly successful Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. He is one of the longest serving leaders in Olympic history.

He was there at the beginning of the bid phase and went on to become CEO of VANOC, leading the organization through many trials and tribulations, all the way through to the closing ceremonies. He was relentless in his pursuit to deliver a Games that would touch the hearts and minds of every Canadian. John Furlong is the leader behind the team that organized and staged the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. From the very beginning of the project, Furlong envisioned that the Games could be a true nation builder, helping to improve the fabric of Canadian society. IOC President Jacques Rogge remarked in a Canadian Press interview at how Vancouver had taken on the Games in a way that was ``unheard of in the Olympic movement,'' and considered them as belonging to all of Canada, was not surprised that the Games had become a catalyst for national unity.

Furlong’s service to sport has landed him with numerous other forms of recognition - among them The IOC’s Olympic Order and the IPC’s Paralympic Order. He was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame as the 2004 W.A.C. Bennett Award winner.

Furlong has been involved with athletics all his life, having competed at the international level in Basketball, European handball and Squash. He became Canadian Squash Champion in 1986. Furlong has been a long time member of the Canadian Olympic Committee and has led many high profile sport organizations in Canada.

On July 1, 2010, Furlong was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and on October 21, 2010, he became a Member of the Order of British Columbia.

He has been recognized by The Globe and Mail as Canada’s Nation Builder of 2010, as one of the top 25 most transformational living Canadians and has been named Canadian of the Year by The Canadian Club. He is Canada’s 2010 Marketer of the year and Sports Media Canada’s Sports Executive of the Year.

In 2009, Furlong was named Canada’s Most influential Sport Figure by both The Globe and Mail and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He is also Sport BC’s Sportsman of the Decade.

Born in Tipperary, Ireland, Furlong has five children and eleven grandchildren. His book Patriot Hearts – Inside the Olympics that changed a country became an instant national bestseller when it was launched on February 12, 2011, the one year anniversary of the 2010 Winter Games.

Why don't we have a world-class training centre yet?

Why did Barber talk about the "nursery parties" in Seattle and Portland, then turn around and screw the loyal fans here with a pricing structure that smacks of greed?

Why did Barber cut off communication with the Southsiders and instruct staff they cannot associate with them?

Why did Barber fire Teitur Thordarson mid-season and then instate the man responsible for constructing this pathetic team in his place?

Why did Barber force out some of his best employees?

etc.

etc.

Did I miss anything?

Do you see the pattern, It's not just Soehn we should be focussing our pressure on, the rot in the club starts higher than him I'm afraid.

I know I'll probably hear the bitter employee bullshit, but then again you try devoting four years of your life to something you believe in, only to have it smashed to pieces because of one greedy person.

Is anything I said NOT true? you know the answer to that.

Soehn and Barber OUT!

There was an instance in the game where Demerit (or someone) wanted to take a quick throw in but couldn't find a ball and, meanwhile, the defence got organized. I'm not even saying that there weren't balls around but one of the kids was holding the ball chatting with his buddy 10 feet away and wasn't paying attention.

I know it's great to have 6 year olds on the pitch (I was a ball boy for a game between some old guys -SFU I think - at Swangard when I was a kid - all I remember is one of the guys screaming at me to get him a ball quick as he was in a rush to take a throw in. I did and made sure I was ready for 90 mins). But I think the ball girls and boys should be a minimum age (10 - 15 year olds) playing for the Whitecaps academy (not sure how far down it goes) and be working with the players on the field (ie. when trailing a ball should be in a players hand as the one in play is leaving the pitch - when winning, not so rushed).

This will also give the academy players the feeling that they are contributing to the senior squads victory if they get the ball organized fast, the player throws it in and it leads to a quick goal.

Bring on the negative votes.

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Before you poo-poo this post it has nothing to do with the Sounders, rather it showcases the architecture of the stadium and the Seahawks.

With NHL starting back up, a number of people have mentioned that the FO has missed a great chance to bring more focus to the Whitecaps. I think BC Place would provide a great canvas to do something similar and wouldn't be all that difficult.

A solid pump up video promoting the team and the game in Vancouver.

I think Paul Albi isn't with the 'Caps anymore, which is too bad because he did some really great videos. I just think something like this would be awesome.

Marc Weber ‏@ProvinceWeber

Whitecaps to make an announcement in Nanaimo on Thurs. Some sort of partnership on youth programming with Harbour City FC.

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The Sun had a decent article about the suit today.

This concussion issue has only been at the forefront of sports thinking for a few years.

I don't see how Soehn can be named in this. He most likely let him play because he we cleared by club medical staff.

This is an interesting case; and I would bet you will see more of this kind of thing from other retired players in the future.

No.

@WhitecapsFC said:
#WhitecapsFC executive chair John Furlong on @TEAM1040 with BMac right now...

Just saw this on twitter but it's from an hour ago. Anyone catch the interview?

I have been advised that people should direct their comments about the drum cafe to "swalker@whitecapsfc.com" with the subject "Drum Cafe". I must ask that you be polite.

It may be too late but should the Whitecaps open up additional seating in the upper level for the Galaxy game?

I know we want fans coming to see the Whitecaps and not the opposition but here is a chance to bring more people to a Whitecap game and experience the atmosphere that the Southsiders and other supporters create.

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I thought this guy would stick around longer for the Residency program,.. seemed like he really knew his stuff. Wonder why he really decided to leave... Just a better job offer? Hmmm.. makes you wonder. This position is one that you'd think they'd stick around for a few years and see the young guys develop.

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Removed

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http://www.iffhs.de/?10f42e00fa2d17f73702fa3016e23c17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6f28f53512

MOD NOTE Moved to Whitecaps FO

Steveston's FC (fish and chips) at 244

Vij's (curry) at 245

Premium beer stand at 248

Dawson Dogs (hot dogs, nachos, chili) at 249

Lots of Budweiser stands at 251 and 252

Bottoms Up 24oz Budweisers at 253

Lions Gate Grill (cheeseburgers, chicken strips, fries) at 254

another Dawson Dogs at 201.

Moved to Whitecaps FO

There were two primary concerns that the Whitecaps had. First of all, they are very keen to have us in the building for the whole Champions League final prior to the Seattle game. Our plan, currently, is to march from Doolin's at half-time. If there is a strong sentiment that you would like to be in the stadium for the whole game, please post, and we'll assess whether a change of plans is in order.

Second, the Whitecaps continue to be concerned with foul language. They recognize and appreciate that we've "officially" changed our chants to remove profanity. Pat and Kris, for example, do not swear when they lead chants. The Whitecaps claim, however, that they have been receiving numerous emails and calls from fans who have a problem with the swearing. In particular, they say they have lost season ticket renewals because of the popularity of "you fat bastard". They are also getting pressure from MLS to eliminate this chant (possibly due to its similarity to the very common "you suck asshole" heard in many US markets).

Our response was clear: we do not feel that this chant is profane, will not attempt to stop it and probably couldn't anyways as it has caught on around the stadium. We feel we have reached an acceptable compromise with them by working to remove actual profanity (by which we mean words and phrases that would not be acceptable on broadcast television) from our chants, and will continue to promote "clean" versions of our chants.

In the spirit of cooperation, we would like to remind our members to refrain from excessive and unnecessary profanity, especially of the organized chanted variety.

A united voice would help.

An inclusive supporters/STH council?

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