THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER -- All of the first 5,000 season-ticket deposits for Vancouver's inaugural MLS season in 2011 have sold out, the Vancouver Whitecaps said Monday.

The $50 deposits put fans second in line to buy seats for the MLS expansion club.

First priority for season tickets goes to ticket-pack holders for the Whitecaps' 2009 United Soccer Leagues season.

Once Whitecaps subscribers and those part in the first group of season ticket deposits have their crack at tickets, a second wave of deposit spots to be opened in the future will get the opportunity.

Only 16,500 season tickets will be made available for Vancouver's inaugural season in MLS.

"The response we have received from the community has been phenomenal," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a statement. "We sold 5,000 deposits in less than 48 hours and our season tickets for the upcoming season continue to sell at an unprecedented pace."

The team is expected to keep the Whitecaps name but that hasn't been confirmed.