GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Players and staff from the Whitecaps FC Residency program arrived in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday night and have enjoyed two full days of training on the pitch, as well as some pool sessions for cool down exercises.
"The weather is nice and warm, approx 26°C, and we are staying in the hills outside of the city,” explained Whitecaps FC Residency assistant coach Steve Meadley. “The players and staff are all in good spirits and everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead."
That challenge begins today for Richard Grootscholten’s side, as they kickoff their six-match exhibit schedule this afternoon against the U-18 side of Mexican Primera División club Estudiantes Tecos.
The young ‘Caps follow today’s match with another tough contest on Friday, November 12, with a match against the U-19/U-20 side of Atotonilco FC, whose first team play in Mexico's fourth-tier Tercera División.
Grootscholten's side will then play the U-18 team of Primera División outfit Atlas de Guadalajara on Sunday, November 14, before facing a U-19/U-20 side from Estudiantes Tecos on Tuesday, November 16. The Residency team will then meet the U-18 side of Mexican giants Club Deportivo Guadalajara (better known as 'Chivas') on Thursday, November 18, before completing their friendly schedule versus the U-18 side of Club Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG) on Saturday, November 20. UDG's first team play in Mexico's second-tier Liga de Ascenso.
Visit whitecapsfc.com for regular updates on the Residency’s two-week camp in Mexico.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency is based out of the Whitecaps Training Centre at Simon Fraser University, with a number of the players attending Burnaby Central Secondary School. The elite youth program - for players from U-17 to U-19 - provides a development gateway through to professional opportunities with Whitecaps FC and European clubs. The program uses the European club model of identification, development, and placement. Whitecaps FC Residency and Whitecaps FC Prospects are committed to cooperation and communication with the provincial and Canadian national team programs. Each player's professional commitments, education, club, and national or provincial team responsibilities are carefully considered and coordinated for optimal periodization.
