VANCOUVER, BC – And we’re off!
After reporting to camp over the weekend for Media Day and medicals, Vancouver Whitecaps FC hit the pitch for the first time in 2016 on Monday at UBC’s Ken Woods Field.
The day began with a lot of smiles – but that didn’t last long.
Monday was fitness testing day.
The players were put through four different stations, testing their leg power, agility, acceleration/speed, and endurance, before doing some ball work and concluding the day with an afternoon gym session.
We’ll try to get our hands on the full results, but for now, let’s talk about that beep test (also known as the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test). Christian Dean and Nicolas Mezquida were the last men standing in the first group, reaching level 22.2. Erik Hurtado finished third.
Dean, Nico and Hurtado were the last men standing in Group 1. Dean and Nico tied for first at level 22.2. #VWFCpic.twitter.com/habtBWNR3h
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) January 25, 2016Dean, who was actually disappointed in his score, said he feels a big difference compared to this time last year – both physically and mentally.
“I’ve matured a lot,” said Dean, who trained in Arizona during the offseason. “I’m more confident and I think just coming in, I have to show the coaches that I’m ready.”
He’s off to a good start.
WFC2 centre back Jackson Farmer actually had the best score of the day, reaching level 22.3. His WFC2 teammates Brett Levis and Victor Blasco finished second and third respectively in the second group.
But the fittest Whitecaps FC player right now may just be Canadian fullback Sam Adekgube, who hit level 23 this weekend before joining the Canadian senior men’s national team.
With Media Day, medicals, and fitness testing out of the way, the real fun begins tomorrow with Whitecaps FC’s first official training session of 2016. Stay tuned for complete coverage on whitecapsfc.com and don’t forget to follow us on Snapchatfor exclusive, behind-the-scenes coverage in real time!
ROAD TO RECOVERY
Kekuta Manneh and Russell Teibert, who are coming off respective ankle injuries, did not test on Monday. They did, however, do some light training with the rest of the group.
KAH DOES THE DAB
The Dab craze has reached Vancouver.
Here's Pa-Modou Kah giving our equipment assistant Aidan some lessons.
Never a dull moment.
Dance Class with @PMKAH. Today's lesson: The Dab. #VWFChttps://t.co/mKXyGcnS1l
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) January 25, 2016
Click here to find out how you can cheer on the ‘Caps, in person, at the 2016 Major League Soccer Preseason in Tucson.
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