WHITECAPS FC IN THE NEWS:
Today is the final day to get in on the Official Whitecaps FC Fantasy League. If you think you have what it takes to be the next Martin Rennie now is your chance to prove it. Don’t let the window pass you by or you’ll risk being forced to listen as your friends brag about how well their fantasy team is performing. In addition to bragging rights, there are prizes to be won, so sign-up now before the 5:45 p.m. PT deadline. (whitecapsfc.com)
Need some help picking your fantasy roster? MLSsoccer.com’s Martin MacMahon has some advice to offer, “There is great value to be had by selecting the team’s defensive players. Joe Cannon is a bargain ($5.6m). DeMerit, Lee and Bonjour will bring a strong return on investment.” (MLSsoccer.com – Andrew Winner)
One reporter takes stock in the beauty of the backline that coach Rennie has constructed, likening the squad to a, “grand engineering project.” Just imagine what that machine will look like once it’s firing on all cylinders! (Russell Berrisford – Vancouver Sun)
With the defensive puzzle pieces in place one reporter notes that it’s time for the offence to seize the opportunity and step up their game. Fortunately for head coach Martin Rennie, deciding what players to start isn’t quite the challenge it appears. “Usually you find the players end up picking the team for you,” explained Rennie. “It's actually easier than you think." (Marc Weber – The Province)
One of those forward options is striker Omar Salgado who was listed by one source as one of the MLS “Top 10 Teenagers in the League Today”. Find out where they ranked the talented youngster in this article by Bleacher Report where they described him as having, “the soccer IQ and talent to really make a name for himself in the upcoming seasons for the Whitecaps.” (Ned Harwood – Bleacher Report)
WHITECAPS FC PODCASTS & RADIO:
‘Whitecaps FC Daily’ with Peter Schaad is back in its usual 3:00 p.m. timeslot on TEAM 1410 sports radio! For those of you who may have missed past episodes, you can find them HERE!
The show airs every Monday to Friday at 3 p.m. PT on TEAM 1410.
You can always get your soccer fix every Sunday night from ‘9’ p.m. to 11 p.m. PT by tuning into ‘Full-Time: Vancouver’s Soccer Show’ with Tyler Green and Mike Martignago on TEAM 1040. HERE!
Expect some points for defenders in your fantasy league following this Saturday’s match against San Jose Earthquakes. The two sides have refused to leak goals this season with Whitecaps FC continuing their none conceded streak and San Jose having only given up a single goal. The match certainly has the analysts over at MLSsoccer.com’s latest West Coast-based podcast ‘March to the Match’ excited with host Jonah Freedman stating, “We all seem to think this is going to be an excellent chess match between two very good, tactically minded coaches.” (March to the Match – MLSsoccer.com)
The hosts over at RedNation’s North of 49 podcast are likely in agreement with that sentiment with hosts Steve Bottjer and Chris Williams calling Whitecaps FC, “Canada's most successful team right now,” and predicting, “they'll only get better as the season goes along.” Be sure to listen in on their interview with head coach Martin Rennie where they discuss the team’s successful start. (North of 49 – RedNation)
West Coast Soccer Weekly is a new podcast hosted by Canadian Soccer News writers Pierce Lang and Michael McColl. For all things soccer on the best coast, including up to date coverage of Whitecaps FC, Highlanders, Men's and Women's Canadian national teams, and local community clubs be sure to listen in HERE!
Have you heard about ‘The Soccer Show’ with Nigel Reed and Bob Iarusci? Make sure to listen HERE!
WHITECAPS FC IN THE HOUSE:
Throughout the season the legend Carl Valentine will be catching up with Whitecaps FC and Vancouver 86ers alumni as part of a new 'Where are they now' feature. First up he caught up with one of the greatest goalkeepers we've ever had in Canada, Paul Dolan. (Carl Valentine – whitecapsfc.com)
Bryce Alderson and Russell Teibert - two rising stars on the Canadian soccer scene - returned to Whitecaps FC training following their run with Canada’s U-23 Olympic team. Check in with Zac Ratcliffe as he caught up with Teibert following training yesterday. (Zac Ratcliffe & Christopher Bromley – whitecapsfc.com)
Another key player Whitecaps are happy to have back is a healthy John Thorrington. Martin MacMahon reports that the box-to-box midfielder believes he could be part of the offensive solution, "Thorrington feels he can be the engine that dreives the team from the center of the park." (Martin MacMahon – whitecapsfc.com)
While Alain Rochat and Davide Chiumiento may be the only Swiss players on the team, Jordan Harvey may be the closest thing we’ve got to a Swiss Army Knife. The versatile utility player has excelled at every call this season. (Martin MacMahon – whitecapsfc.com)
