SANDY, UT - Whitecaps FC are back at it for Week 6 of 2021 Training Camp, presented by Enerex, and the scene looks just a bit different this time as the team prepares for their first preseason match on Tuesday.
CHANGE OF SCENERY
After spending the first five weeks of camp in Vancouver, the 'Caps arrived in Utah on Friday to set up their temporary home base for the start of the 2021 MLS regular season.
The team began sessions at their new training grounds on Saturday, then had an off day on Easter.
The 'Caps are training at America First Field, just a mile south of Rio Tinto Stadium, and situated in the shadows of the Sandy City Hall.
STATUS UPDATES
The 'Caps were met by one of their newest teammates upon their arrival in Utah.
Joining the team at training for the first time over the weekend was MLS SuperDraft pick and right back Javain Brown, who had to travel back to his native Jamaica for visa purposes and re-enter the United States.
Also, as reported on Friday, Ali Adnan had to momentarily stay behind in Vancouver and will rejoin the team as soon as he gets ahold of his travel requirements for the US.
"Everything is set up to bring him in as soon as possible," said VWFC CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster. "He is working with Vanni Sartini in Vancouver to stay in shape. He knows our system so he won't need a lot of time to adapt."
Caio Alexandre, David Egbo, and Bruno Gaspar will also join the team in Utah as soon as they receive their visas.
BACK FROM INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Eight players rejoined the squad this past weekend after being away on international duty with the Canadian national teams.
Lucas Cavallini, Maxime Crepeau, and Cristian Gutierrez returned from a triumphant stint with the senior team, sweeping a pair of FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Cavallini is coming off a hat trick performance in Canada MNT's win over the Cayman Islands on March 29.
Theo Bair, Michael Baldisimo, Derek Cornelius, Patrick Metcalfe, and Ryan Raposo helped the U-23 national team to a valiant semifinal finish at the Concacaf Olympic qualifiers where they lost to eventual champions Mexico.
The returning contingent was reintegrated into the team on Monday after holding a separate session over the weekend.
FIRST TEST
The 'Caps finally get to face a team wearing different colours on Tuesday when they go up against Real Monarchs at Zions Bank Training Center.
Club reporter Sarita Patel reported that Marc Dos Santos plans to play majority of his players 45-minute shifts, but there may be a number seeing 30 or 60 minutes.
The USL Championship side is coached by former Real Salt Lake defender Jámison Olave, and is led by midfielder Sam Brown and defender James Moberg. Moberg was the 'Caps third round selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft before signing with Real Monarchs.
Stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com and @whitecapsfc for match updates.
