PORTLAND, OREGON – Two weeks. Fourteen days. 336 hours (depending on when you’re reading this).
That’s how long we have left until Vancouver Whitecaps FC open their 2015 MLS campaign at home against Eastern Canadian rival Toronto FC – single match tickets on sale now.
But there’s still a lot of work to do between now and then.
The ‘Caps held their first training session at Portland’s Providence Park on Saturday afternoon, kicking off a busy week that will see them play four preseason matches.
As noted below, some bonding on the bus, a pair of new Colombian trialists, and Pa-Modou Kah’s return to Portland were among the highlights of Whitecaps FC’s first few days in the Rose City.
BONDING ON THE BUS
There’s nothing like a seven-hour bus ride for some good team bonding. At least, that was the case for the ‘Caps on Friday as they made the trip down to Portland.
Some players caught up on some TV shows or watched movies – Steven Beitashour, Marco Carducci, and Mitch Piraux, who were seated a few rows behind me, watched Horrible Bosses 2 while Jordan Harvey watched Tallaega Nights. Others read or played cards.
And many of them slept – or at least tried to.
I mean, there’s only so much sleeping you can do with the Latino crew jamming out to their Spanish tunes at the back of the bus. That’s pretty much a given on any bus ride with this group.
TRIALISTS IN TOWN
A pair of Colombian trialists have joined Whitecaps FC in Portland: Ruben Anchico and Harold Gomez. The ‘Caps technical staff are looking at these players with an eye towards Whitecaps FC 2, according to Whitecaps FC assistant coach Martyn Pert.
Pert discovered both players in the offseason during his South American scouting trip.
“They came through Deportivo Cali youth system,” Pert told whitecapsfc.com. “One of my close friends is the youth coach there. I watched them play in the offseason and I think they’ve got the qualities to be successful in North America.”
Gomez, 22, is primarily a right back, but Pert said he can also play left back and “do a job” in defensive midfield. Anchico, meanwhile, is a 20-year-old right-winger, who can also play on the left.
“Very raw, but very quick and good one v. one,” Pert said.
PA BACK IN PORTLAND
Pa-Modou Kah, who spent the last two years with Portland Timbers, was the first Whitecaps FC player on the field on Saturday afternoon. The 34-year-old enjoyed a few minutes by himself before the rest of the players joined him. It was the first time Kah had returned to Providence Park since joining the Blue and White.
“It wasn’t weird,” Kah told whitecapsfc.com. “That’s the way soccer is. You switch teams. Now I’m with the Whitecaps and I’m happy with it. But it’s nice to be back and see some familiar faces. You spend two years here and you build relationships with a lot of people.”
He still has many friends on the team, but there will be no friends on Sunday for 90 minutes when the ‘Caps open the Simple Invitational with a Cascadia derby against the Timbers (kickoff at 5 p.m. PT - live stream on whitecapsfc.com).
“When the game starts, there are no friends for me,” he said. “For me, it’s about doing the best I can for Vancouver. That’s the only thing that counts for me.”
HURTADO GOES HOME
Another Whitecaps FC player with close ties to Portland is Erik Hurtado.
Hurtado was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, but he and his mother moved to Beaverton when he was six years old. It’s the city he now calls home. In fact, his family lives just 10 minutes away from the hotel the ‘Caps are staying at downtown.
The 24-year-old hasn’t met up with his parents or sister yet, but he was able to catch up with his 16-year-old brother earlier in the day.
“He came to the hotel and hung out a little bit and walked to the field with us. He wanted to watch training but he just got asked to the school dance by his girlfriend so he has to go pick out his outfit,” Hurtado laughed.
Suffice to say, he’ll have a few friends and family in the crowd on Sunday night.
“I don’t know the exact number,” he said. “But I’ll need tickets for friends, family, and cousins. Probably around 20.”
KEEPING IT LIGHT
After a long travel day, and with matches upcoming on back-to-back days, Whitecaps FC kept things fairly light today at Providence Park.
“It was just about the effects of the journey yesterday and getting that out of their legs, getting the stiffness out of their muscles and just getting a feel for the pitch again,” Pert said. “So no real tactical or technical input.”
The good news is that everyone trained in full except Andre Lewis, who did some individual work with club physiotherapist Graeme Poole as he continues to rehab from an ACL tear.
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.
