BURNABY, B.C. -- The faceless owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Breakers pro soccer teams should fit in seamlessly in the West Coast sporting scene because he'll be practically invisible, except for his wallet.

Vancouver computer software whiz Greg Kerfoot, by choice, didn't appear at a news conference yesterday to confirm his purchase of the ownerless elevens from the United Soccer League, which financed the teams for five months.

It seems Kerfoot shuns the spotlight, although he'll be in charge of business operations for the two teams that play out of Swangard Stadium in this Vancouver suburb.

Kerfoot may turn out to be a lot like John E. McCaw Jr. of Seattle, the chairman of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League, who spends most of his time outside Canada.

Or, once he gets his cleats dirty, perhaps he'll be like David Braley of Burlington, Ont., owner of the B.C. Lions and temporary commissioner of the Canadian Football League. Owning a pro sports franchise in Vancouver rarely is rewarding in a financial sense, although Kerfoot won't have to pay salaries in U.S. dollars.

"He's a very private individual," Whitecaps director of soccer operations Bob Lenarduzzi said about Kerfoot. "He's demonstrated his willingness to get involved [and] met the players last night.

"He doesn't want a profile, [but] I can sense he's getting more and more excited about the prospects ahead."

Kerfoot took over operations by assuming debts of about $100,000 (U.S.) that the USL accumulated after taking over operations of the Whitecaps and Breakers in May when former owner David Stadnyk stepped aside, citing poor attendance and financial losses.

Both teams managed to complete their seasons before losing in league semi-final playoffs on penalty kicks. The Whitecaps play in the men's A-League and the Breakers participate in the women's W-League, both operating under the USL umbrella.

Kerfoot is chairman of Crystal Decisions Inc., which claims to be one of the world's leading computer software companies, with revenues of $341-million for the fiscal year 2002.

Crystal Decisions is based in Vancouver and has 20 offices around the world, with about 900 of 1,650 employees located in the Vancouver area.

The January issue of BC Business Magazine said Crystal Decisions was voted one of the top 10 companies to work for in B.C.

Lenarduzzi estimated the operating budget for the two soccer teams was nearly $1-million this year, the majority of costs associated with player salaries.

Most players need a second job in order to earn a decent living and therefore are considered semi-professionals by today's standards.

Kerfoot has two sons playing minor soccer and is believed to be a hockey fan, considering he built an indoor rink alongside a multimillion-dollar mansion he owns in Whistler resort north of Vancouver.

"He has a great deal of vision . . . the business savvy," Lenarduzzi said. "He also understands he's not going to make money from this.

"What he wants to do is give it a chance to succeed and he's prepared to make a long-term commitment. But he's involved primarily because he feels it's good for the kids. He feels the Whitecaps and Breakers are essential elements to the pyramid of play in British Columbia and Canada."

Lenarduzzi first met with Kerfoot in late October, at the suggestion of mutual friend Mark James, a clothing retailer and restaurateur. The USL approved the sale at organizational meetings last week in Clearwater, Fla.

Kerfoot graduated from the University of B.C. in 1983 with a degree in computer science and joined Crystal Services in 1988. The firm, now Crystal Decisions, was named company of the year for 2002 by the B.C. Technology Industries Association.

In a prepared statement, Kerfoot said: "I purchased the Whitecaps and Breakers because it looked like the teams were going to fold and I feel strongly that Vancouver should have top-flight soccer teams. I also think that the Whitecaps and Breakers are a necessary step in the development path for aspiring young players."

Several members of the Breakers and one of the Whitecaps play for Canadian national teams. Some of the players, plus both head coaches, attended the news conference, along with youth players.

The Breakers will soon be renamed through a local contest because of a conflict with the Boston Breakers of the Women's United Soccer Association.