MLS expansion franchise Vancouver Whitecaps will take on English Premier League outfit Manchester City in an international friendly in July. The first-year club will play host to the Blues at Empire Field on Monday, July 18 as part of the 2011 World Football Challenge.
Whitecaps chief executive Paul Barber said it was a brilliant opportunity for a club as young as his to take on such a strong and well-known football institution such as Man City.
"We are thrilled to be playing English Premier League club Manchester City FC at Empire Field," said Barber.
"Our inaugural season in Major League Soccer has been a tremendous success to this stage, with near capacity crowds at our first three home matches this season. As part of this exciting first season in MLS, and as a special thank you for the great support we have received from our fans, we will be inviting all season ticket holders to join us for the Manchester City match as our guests."
Barber's City counterpart, Garry Cook, insisted the Eastlands club was excited about their trip to Canada in the summer.
"We're delighted to be heading to North America, and are very excited about travelling to Vancouver to play Whitecaps FC," said Cook.
"Vancouver is a great soccer city with a new MLS side and passionate supporters of the game. We already have a history with the Whitecaps, having played them in 1980 and 1981 at Empire Stadium. They won both matches in fine style and it will be our challenge to try to overturn those results. So it promises to be a fantastic occasion."
