The Vancouver Whitecaps kicked off its MLS season ticket drive on a high note Saturday, proving that fans are prepared to embrace big time soccer and its revival in Vancouver.
Five thousand season tickets were made available in the first phase of a drive that comes just days after the Whitecaps confirmed that it will be joining the MLS in time for the kickoff of the 2011 season.
On Saturday morning, Whitecaps officials said 1,000 deposits were made within a 15-minute period.
Fans were asked to make a $50 deposit to secure their position in line for seat selection at BC Place where the Caps will play its home games.
By Saturday evening, more than 4,000 season tickets had been spoken.
Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi says it's an indication that MLS sells itself. The club is also seeing interest from fans, who as children attended Whitecaps soccer back in the late 1970s, when it was a key member of the defunct North American Soccer League (NASL).
Those kids are now parents who want to take their own children to big league soccer games.
"I think the equivalent [of the NASL] resonated with people,'' Lenarduzzi said.
The Whitecaps is launching its ticket drive on a week when the MLS's newest member - the Seattle Sounders -- made its debut in from of 32,000 fans in Seattle.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Jason Pires
