VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Monday that for the first time since joining Major League Soccer in 2011, the team will spend most of its preseason in Vancouver as it prepares for its second decade in the league. The first month of the 2021 Training Camp, presented by Enerex, will take place at the Whitecaps FC National Soccer Development Centre.
Following a week of individual voluntary training, today marks the first day of week-long voluntary on-field training sessions with the technical coaches. During the month of March, the 'Caps will train in the morning followed by afternoon gym workouts and aerobic runs, as well as three intrasquad games.
The current roster includes 28 players signed for the 2021 season with 22 of them available this week. Next week, new keeper Evan Newton will complete his quarantine, while left back Ali Adnan and new signings right back Javain Brown, winger Déiber Caicedo and forward David Egbo are finalizing paperwork before they arrive in Canada. Midfielder Simon Colyn is on loan with Italian Serie B club SPAL through June 2021.
The roster includes 24 returning players, the most since 2017, and four new additions. The team’s youth movement continues into 2021 with 17 players 23-years-old or younger. The roster also features 14 Canadians and 12 different birth countries.
The start of camp will include three members of the club’s BMO Academy System in midfielder/centre back Matteo Campagna, midfielder Emiliano Brienza and midfielder/forward Kamron Habibullah.
Later this month, a select number of players will be called up to Canada’s Olympic and World Cup qualifying matches. Details for the remainder of the preseason, including preseason games, will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The 2021 MLS regular season is set to kick off the weekend of April 17.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC preseason roster:
Goalkeepers (4): Isaac Boehmer, Maxime Crépeau, Thomas Hasal, Evan Newton
Fullbacks (4): Ali Adnan, Javain Brown, Cristián Gutiérrez, Jake Nerwinski
Centre backs (6): Derek Cornelius, Gianfranco Facchineri, Erik Godoy, Jasser Khmiri, Andy Rose, Ranko Veselinović
Central Midfielders (6): Michael Baldisimo, Janio Bikel, Patrick Metcalfe, Leonard Owusu, Damiano Pecile, Russell Teibert
Wingers/Forwards (7): Theo Bair, Déiber Caicedo, Lucas Cavallini, Cristian Dájome, David Egbo, Ryan Raposo, Tosaint Ricketts
Finalizing paperwork before arriving in Canada
Whitecaps FC U-23s (3): Emiliano Brienza (CM), Matteo Campagna (CB/CM), Kamron Habibullah (AM/W)
Player on loan (1): Simon Colyn (CM - Italian Serie B club SPAL through June 2021)
Enerex Botanicals
Born and bred in Vancouver, Enerex Botanicals are proud to be the official vitamin supplement partner of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and presenting partner of the club's 2021 Training Camp. Enerex help promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle with premium, natural, performance-geared supplements. A formula for success both on and off the pitch, Enerex are committed to sourcing the best raw materials and most advanced production processes. Learn more about Enerex supplements by visiting enerex.ca.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC purpose is to unite and inspire its communities. Whitecaps FC is one of the longest standing professional soccer clubs in North America, having originally been founded in 1974. Since 2011, the club has played in Major League Soccer, the top tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. Whitecaps FC are a fully integrated club, housing one of the most unique soccer development programs in North America, starting from grassroots and including professional development programs for both boys and girls, with a goal to provide a safe and welcoming environment so that all participants can thrive and achieve their potential. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com.
