Music: {allcanada} Whitecaps win MLS expansion coin toss

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

{allcanada} Whitecaps win MLS expansion coin toss

HOUSTON -- The Vancouver Whitecaps gained an edge on their Major League Soccer expansion cousins Wednesday after winning a coin toss over the Portland Timbers at halftime of the MLS all-star game.

The Whitecaps now have until Aug. 11 to decide if they want the first pick in the MLS expansion draft (players left unprotected by existing clubs); the MLS SuperDraft (college and Generation Adidas players); or signing players from the USSF D-2.

The Whitecaps could also use the first pick for any MLS or U.S. international players returning to the league; or have the first chance at negotiating with a designated player if one or more teams is interested in the same player.

Greg Anderson, the Whitecaps' director of professional teams, represented Vancouver at the coin toss. Gavin Wilkinson, the Timbers' head coach and general manager, made the call for Portland.

Both teams start play in the 2011 season.