VANCOUVER, BC
– Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that goalkeeper Mark Village and midfielders Victor Blasco and Sahil Sandhu have been added to the club’s inaugural Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) roster for the 2015 United Soccer League (USL) season. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“We’re very pleased to add three more promising young players to the roster ahead of our inaugural match on Sunday,” said WFC2 head coach Alan Koch. “Mark and Sahil are both talented local players and Victor is a very skilled Spanish player who grew up playing in the FC Barcelona academy. Each of them have worked hard to earn this opportunity.”
WFC2 goalkeeper Mark Village
- Five seasons at University of the Fraser Valley
- 2012 Canada West All-Conference Second Team
- Led USL PDL with 103 saves in 2012
Village, 23, joins WFC2 after spending the past five seasons playing at the University of the Fraser Valley under head coach Alan Errington. In 2012, Village was named to the Canada West Second Team All-Conference, and in 2013 he led the Cascades to their best ever season.
A native of Abbotsford, BC, Village played one season with Fraser Valley Mariners FC of the USL Premier Development League (PDL). In that season, Village recorded a league high 103 saves with a season high 11 saves coming on the final match day against Whitecaps FC U-23.
WFC2 midfielder Victor Blasco
- Led PACWEST conference with 12 goals in 13 appearances
- 2014 PACWEST Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year
- Played in FC Barcelona Academy during his youth
Blasco, 20, joins the WFC2 roster after spending one year playing at Vancouver Island University. In his freshman season, the Spanish international led the PACWEST conference with 12 goals in 13 appearances, helping VIU qualify for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship tournament. During nationals, Blasco added two goals and one assist as the Mariners finished as runners-up. For his efforts, the midfielder was named PACWEST Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, as well as being a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian and to the CCAA national championship tournament All-Star team.
Born and raised in Spain, Blasco moved to Canada after being scouted by Koch during his tenure as head coach at Simon Fraser University. In his youth, Blasco developed at the FC Barcelona Academy, and with Cornellà and Mallorca U-20 and reserve teams.
WFC2 midfielder Sahil Sandhu
- PACWEST Player of the Year in 2010 and 2012
- One season on loan from WFC to German Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus
- Represented Canada at U-15 and U-17 national team levels
Sandhu, 24, returns to the club after spending three seasons playing at Douglas College. During his time with the Royals, Sandhu was named PACWEST Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2012, as well as a CCAA All-Canadian.
A native of Surrey, BC, Sandhu graduated through the Whitecaps FC Residency program. In 2009, the midfielder was loaned from Whitecaps FC to the U-19 academy of German Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus. In his youth, Sandhu played with Whitecaps FC in the Super Y-League, and in 2004 won a North American championship with the club, scoring the game winning goal in the championship final. At the PDL level, Sandhu played one season with Whitecaps FC U-23 in 2009 and one season with Victoria Highlanders FC in 2013. Internationally, Sandhu has been called up to Canadian youth national teams at the U-15 and U-17 levels.
Come and see the next generation of Whitecaps FC stars as USL arrives in Vancouver. With Season Tickets available for as low as $118, WFC2 matches will be a unique and affordable experience for fans, families, students, and supporters. Flex packs are also available to fit your schedule - get seven tickets to use any way you want, to any matches you want. For more information on all WFC2 ticket options, call 604-484-7862 or e-mail wfc2@whitecapsfc.com.
Mark Village
Position:
Goalkeeper
Height:
6-02
Weight:
185
Date of Birth:
November 25, 1991 in Abbotsford, BC
Hometown:
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Citizenship:
Canada
Status:
Domestic
Last Club:
University of Fraser Valley
How Acquired:
WFC2 free agent signing on March 25, 2015
Victor Blasco
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
5-10
Weight:
155
Date of Birth:
July 1, 1994 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Hometown:
Barcelona, Spain
Citizenship:
Spain
Status:
International
Last Club:
Vancouver Island University
How Acquired:
Free agent signing on March 25, 2015
Sahil Sandhu
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
5-10
Weight:
165
Date of Birth:
January 5, 1991 in Amritsar, India
Hometown:
Surrey, British Columbia
Citizenship:
Canada
Status:
Domestic
Last Club:
Douglas College
How Acquired:
WFC2 free agent signing on March 25, 2015
