TUCSON, ARIZONA – Let the games begin.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play their first preseason match of 2015 on Wednesday morning, when they meet 2014 MLS Cup finalist New England Revolution in Tucson, Arizona. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT at the Kino Sports Complex. Follow Whitecaps FC on Twitter for live updates and stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com for complete post-match coverage.
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<b>Manneh's long-range strike Tuesday in training</b> |
“They are important,” Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said of the upcoming preseason matches. “It’s important you get up to speed because it’s a different type of fitness – training fitness and match fitness. Players do need match fitness as well to get themselves up to speed. That’s important, but it’s also important they don’t pick up little injuries from tiredness or not doing things correctly. And I’ll drill that into them prior to the game.”
The ‘Caps had their first training session in Tucson on Tuesday and focused primarily on attacking movements, which Robinson will be looking out for on Wednesday.
“It’s important to give them some ideas in the attacking third,” Robinson said. “It’s about little combinations and link-ups and it’s about some attacking play. We haven’t touched on the defensive side of it yet. We’ll do that probably later in the week or early next week.”
Robinson said the plan is to field a different lineup for each half on Wednesday, with both sides including a mix of youngsters and more experienced players.
“I’ll try out a few different combinations,” he said. “If you’re trying to read anything into teams, then good luck to you.”
This will be the first of three matches in Tucson for the ‘Caps. They will also face San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday and Western Conference newcomer Houston Dynamo next Tuesday, February 10, before returning to Vancouver the following day.
TRIALISTS IN TUCSON
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<b>Earnshaw talks about his first impressions of Whitecaps FC</b> |
Here’s what Robinson had to say about trialists Kalif Alhassan, Robert Earnshaw, and Dane Richards, who is set to join the team later today.
“They’re all different. Obviously Kalif and Dane are wide players. We’re a little bit weak in that area and I want to strengthen it. They’ll come in for five to seven days and we’ll have a look at them. Both are totally different types of players. One’s a more outside to in player and one’s a more inside to out player. And obviously Earnshaw I’ve known for many years. Earny wants to get some football training under his belt so I’m helping him a little bit but we also get to have a look at him for 10 days because he’s without a club at the moment.”
On the importance of each of these three players having MLS experience, Robinson said:
“I think it’s important. When you’re identifying players, sometimes in MLS players get valued too high because a team that owns their rights will ask for a little bit too much for them. It’s important you get the balance right, but we are looking at an MLS player or two.”
DAY 2 PHOTOS
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If you wish to visit MLS Preseason in Tuscon, contact Uniglobe One Travel - Neal Chark at nealc@uniglobeone.com or call 604 677 1495 at any time for immediate, professional and expedited service.
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! The 2015 Whitecaps FC season kicks off on March 7 versus Toronto FC at BC Place. Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
