VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC will make trips to Casa Grande, Arizona and Portland, Oregon as part of their 2014 preseason camp before kicking off their 40th anniversary season on March 8 against New York Red Bulls at BC Place.

Whitecaps FC players will report for the start of camp and medical testing on January 25 before a week of on-field training in Vancouver.

“It’s one of the most exciting parts of the year for everyone at the club,” said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. “We’re very happy that Grande Sports World complex has welcomed us back for a fifth year and we’re excited to be participating in the Rose City Invitational for the first time. It was important for us to keep our preseason close to home to give supporters and media an opportunity to attend.”

For the fifth consecutive year, the ‘Caps will travel south for an extended stay at the Grande Sports World as part of their preseason training camp. The 10-day trip, from February 3 to 12, will include a non-gated preseason friendly on February 10 against Houston Dynamo in Tucson, Arizona. Additional matches will be confirmed at a later date.

Following just over a week in Vancouver, Whitecaps FC will participate in the 2014 Rose City Invitational at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Oregon. The ‘Caps and host Timbers will be joined by Western Conference rival San Jose Earthquakes as well as Jamaican club Portmore United FC, a five-time National Premier League champion and four-time winner of the Jamaica Football Federation Champions Cup.

The tournament will consist of three doubleheaders at JELD-WEN Field, with Vancouver and Portmore United FC kicking off the round-robin format on February 23 at 2:30 p.m. PT. Next up, Whitecaps FC will meet the Earthquakes on February 26 at 5 p.m. PT before concluding the tournament against the hosts on March 1 at 5 p.m. PT.

Rose City Invitational

Sunday, February 23: Whitecaps FC vs. Portmore United FC at 2:30 p.m.; Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes at 5 p.m.

vs. Portmore United FC at 2:30 p.m.; Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes at 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 26: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Whitecaps FC at 5 p.m.; Portland Timbers vs. Portmore United FC at 7:30 p.m.

at 5 p.m.; Portland Timbers vs. Portmore United FC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1: Portmore United FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes at 2:30 p.m.; Portland Timbers vs. Whitecaps FC at 5 p.m.

Individual tickets, which allow entry into both matches, start at $13 and go on sale to the public starting Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. PT online at www.portlandtimbers.com or by calling 1-888-736-6849; the JELD-WEN Field box office will be closed. Three-game tournament ticket packages, starting at $33, will also be available for purchase online. Group tickets are available by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555.

Whitecaps FC’s fourth season in MLS will get underway on March 8 against defending Supporters Shield winners New York Red Bulls at BC Place.

Important dates:

January 16 – MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia, PA

January 25 – Players report for Medical Day

January 26 – First on-field training session in V­­­ancouver, BC

February 2 – Travel to Casa Grande, AZ

February 10 – Houston Dynamo vs. Whitecaps FC at 9 a.m. PT at Kino Sports Complex

February 12 – Travel to Vancouver, BC

February 21 – Travel to Portland, OR

February 23 – Whitecaps FC vs. Portmore United FC at 2:30 p.m. at JELD-WEN Field

February 26 – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Whitecaps FC at 5 p.m. at JELD-WEN Field

March 1 – Portland Timbers vs. Whitecaps FC at 5 p.m. JELD-WEN Field

March 2 – Travel to Vancouver, BC

March 8 – Home Opener

Whitecaps FC 2014 season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps are also offering a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.