(Vancouver 86ers)

One of the most recognized teams in Canada, the current Whitecaps franchise is one of the oldest in North America. Established as the 86ers, the club played its sixth season in USL, 10th in the A-League and 16th at the highest level of professional soccer in Canada. The 86ers were introduced to the American soccer in 1988, playing a series of games against teams in the Western Soccer League, which later merged with the Eastern-based American Soccer League to form the APSL (A-League). The Whitecaps went 3-2-1. In 1993, the 86ers returned to the American-based league as an official member. Since then, the franchise has only missed the postseason twice, reaching the semi-finals five times. During the 2000-01 offseason, the club changed hands again and saw a resurrection of the old North American Soccer League moniker, Whitecaps. After failing to reach the semifinals since 1997, the club returned to the final four in 2001 and again in 2002. Despite several ownership changes over the years, one of the constants in Vancouver soccer has been Bob Lenarduzzi. Lenarduzzi, a former Canadian National Team head coach, has served as the club's general manager for 11 years, leading the club to the 1998 A-League Organization of the Year award. He was given the A-League Executive of the Year award in 2000. The franchise was originally a community-owned club with its 86ers moniker derived from Expo 86. The club was then owned by Milan Ilich and then the BC Lions, who were represented by David Braley.