VANCOUVER, BC – There’s a new kid in town.
Andre Lewis, 19, joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC for his first field session on Friday after getting selected by the club at seventh overall in the recent MLS SuperDraft.
The Jamaican midfielder, who arrived in Vancouver in Thursday, said he was praying every day for his Canadian visa and work permit to go through so he could make the move to Vancouver and join his new team.
“I was excited from the day I got drafted by Vancouver and until now the day I’m here … I’m still excited,” Lewis told reporters. “Everyone is great. Everyone welcomed me like a family on the first day. I love it already.”
First and foremost, Lewis said he just wants to make the team and help the ‘Caps qualify for the playoffs this season. At 5-foot-9, 145 pounds, he knows playing in MLS will be an adjustment, but he’s prepared to put in the necessary work to make the next step in his career.
“I have to work with the trainer, listen to the coaches, go to the gym and get accustomed to it,” he said. “Everything takes time. No one knows. I just have to come into training and impress the coaches.”
The ‘Caps wrapped up their first week of preseason training with their annual fitness tests on Friday, before heading off to Arizona on Monday for a 10-day camp at Grande Sports World.
Homegrown defender Sam Adekugbe lasted the longest in the dreaded Yo-Yo test among the defenders and goalkeepers, while Canadian Russell Teibert was the last man standing in the midfielders and strikers group.
Assistant coach Martyn Pert singled out defender Andy O’Brien as one player who looked particularly fit in the various tests, but he said the whole group has been sharp throughout the week.
“They’ve looked good from Monday to now really,” Pert told reporters. “Training has been good and lively and they’ve worked really hard.”
Whitecaps FC begin their 2014 MLS season on March 8 versus New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps also offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visitwhitecapsfc.com/tickets.
