Caps Exercise Charles, Martin, Jordan Options

CHARLES AND MARTIN BACK TO DEFEND TITLE
Vancouver Whitecaps FC have exercised the contract options of defenders Wesley Charles, and Lyle Martin for the 2009 season.

Both played crucial roles in leading the men’s team to the 2008 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) championship title. Charles is returning for a second season, while Martin will be entering his third year as a member of the Whitecaps.

Charles, 33-years-old, earned a place in the USL-1 All-League Second Team after making a significant impact at centre back during the second half of the season. The defender, who has 93 caps as a member of the Saint Vincent & the Grenadines national team, joined the ‘Caps on July 11 after impressing head coach Teitur Thordarson during FIFA World Cup qualifying versus Canada back in June. A veteran of the League of Ireland and Russian club FC Rostov, Charles started all but one of his 18 appearances for 1,490 minutes. This included five starts during the club’s playoff run this past autumn. The Caribbean native also recorded an assist during the 3-2 away defeat to Atlanta on August 5.

Martin, 23, made great strides in his second season as a professional. The Bakersfield, California, native started all but two of the 33 matches he appeared in during the 2008 campaign. This included starts in all four Nutrilite Canadian Championship contests and five starts in the club’s successful playoff run. A free agent signing with Vancouver on March 26, 2007, Martin has made 57 appearances for a total of 4,480 minutes in two seasons with the club. The California State University – Bakersfield product scored his first goal for the ‘Caps on August 27 when he struck the match-winner in a 2-0 defeat of Atlanta Silverbacks at Swangard Stadium. In his rookie season in 2007, Martin’s performances earned him the Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year award.

JASON JORDAN MOVES ON
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will not exercise the 2009 contract option on veteran striker Jason Jordan.

Jordan, 30-years-old, leaves the Whitecaps after 12 consecutive seasons, having played his entire professional career with the club. Born in Vancouver, BC, and raised in Richmond, BC, Jordan sits second all-time behind legendary striker Domenic Mobilio for most career points in club history with 201. He was also a member of both the 2006 and 2008 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) championship teams.

“Jason is the type of forward that has an uncanny knack for not needing a lot of chances to score goals,” said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. “His speed and trickery meant he could make the most of any scoring chance in a match. The Whitecaps have been the beneficiary of those abilities for the past 12 seasons and we want to thank Jason for the contribution he made to the club during that time.”

Jordan started his professional career when he joined the Whitecaps as an 18-year-old free agent in April 1997. By 2002, the goalscorer had attracted interest from Major League Soccer clubs Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes. Although he was offered a contract to join Colorado during the 2002 MLS season, the forward opted to stay at home and remain a member of the Whitecaps.

After scoring his 50th career goal during the 2004 campaign, the striker went on to have his most productive offensive season in 2005. He claimed the USL-1 Most Valuable Player award and a place on the All-League First Team after scoring a league-leading 17 goals and 37 points. Jordan’s efforts that season also earned him the Whitecaps UMBRO Player of the Year award in media voting, while he became the first recipient of the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award as the club’s top goalscorer that year. His Whitecaps stats have him third all-time in goals with 78, first all-time in assists with 45, fifth all-time in games played with 257, and seventh all-time in minutes played with 17,070.

The goalscorer has also enjoyed a notable youth international career with Canada. In 1997, Jordan was a member of the Canadian team that reached the knockout stages of FIFA U-20 World Cup in Malaysia, while in 1999, the forward helped the Canadian U-23 Olympic team to a fourth-place finish at XIII Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“I want to thank Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot for all that he has done for the club, the city, and the game of soccer in Canada,” Jordan said upon his departure from the Whitecaps. “His involvement allowed me to become a better player and a better person. I also want to thank my family and friends, as well as the fans, for the great support they have given me over the last 12 years.”

2009 SEASON TICKETS
Whitecaps 2009 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men’s and women’s team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for BC Place and the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. For more information on the 2009 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.