May 19, 2016 - 10:52 AM
VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Thursday that they will play Crystal Palace of the English Premier League in a friendly on July 19.
The game at B.C. Place Stadium comes in the middle of Vancouver's Major League Soccer schedule, while Palace will be in its final preparations ahead of the 2016-17 season.
"Facing a Premier League side will provide a great test for our club, and great entertainment for local soccer fans," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a statement.
Palace finished 15th in England's top division in 2015-16, just five points above the relegation zone, but has a chance to win the London club's first F.A. Cup in Saturday's final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
Palace's North American tour will also include games against the Philadelphia Union of MLS on July 13 and FC Cincinnati of the third-tier USL on July 16.
"It's a trip that I think will be good for the club," said Palace manager Alan Pardew. "We had a number of teams that want to play us and we've taken this opportunity to go to North America to spread the word of the type of football we play."
The game in Vancouver will mark the Whitecaps' second international friendly since joining MLS six years ago. The club hosted Manchester City at Empire Field in 2011.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016