Vancouver has secured a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, and will be the American soccer league's second Canadian team after Toronto. The Vancouver Whitecaps, which currently play in the United Soccer Leagues' first division, will take their place from the 2011 season onwards.

Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot, Candian NBA legend Steve Nash, San Francisco Giants co-owner Jeff Mallett and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Luczo have all invested in the franchise, which has cost US$40 million. "Our goal is to become one of the world's best soccer leagues," MLS commissioner Don Garber said at a news conference. "The addition of Vancouver will help us get to that point."

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said. "The Vancouver Whitecaps have been a part of our province's history for more than three decades. As an MLS team, the Whitecaps organisation will carry on that incredible tradition."