WFC2 preseason training camp set to begin Monday

Alan Koch - SFU

Ahead of their inaugural season in the United Soccer League (USL), Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) will begin preseason camp on Monday at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex.


Head coach Alan Koch will bring 28 players into camp with an eye on rounding out the core roster for the 2015 season. On Wednesday, five selections from the 2015 WFC2 Open Tryout presented by adidas will join the fold (names below). The squad will be supplemented by loans from the ‘Caps MLS team.


WFC2 Preseason Camp Roster
First NameLast NamePositionHometown
Quante  Abbott-Hill Smith D Brampton, ON
Mark Baldisimo M Burnaby, BC
Derrick Bassi D Delta, BC
Carlo Basso F Coquitlam, BC
Jovan Blagojevic M/F Coquitlam, BC
Victor  Blasco M Barcelona, Spain
Brian Chapman D
Niall Cousens F Vancouver, BC
Karim Darbaki M Crystal, Minnesota
Matt Elder GK New Hope, Minnesota
Yassin Essa M Surrey, BC
Rizal  Ganief F Delta, BC
Jordan Haynes D/M Peterborough, ON
Alex Kleefeldt D Frankfurt, Germany
Brett Levis M/F Saskatoon, SA
Alex Marrello M Vancouver, BC
Colton O'Neill D Abbotsford, BC
Jordan Ongaro F Edmonton, AB
Nikola Paunic D Toronto, ON
Mackenzie Pridham F Toronto, ON
Tyler Rosenlund M Burnaby, BC
Sahil Sandhu F Surrey, BC
Chris Serban D Calgary, AB
Moussa Toure D/M Monrovia, Liberia
Mark Village GK Abbotsford, BC
Jordan Whitehead M North Delta, BC
Valarian Wiebe GK Delta, BC
Michael Winter M Vancouver, BC


*Signed defender Jackson Farmer and midfielder Mitch Piraux, and 2015 MLS SuperDraft pick goalkeeper Spencer Richey are all currently in preseason with the first team in Portland

Included among the preseason group are Whitecaps FC Residency graduates Mark Baldisimo, Derrick Bassi, Yassin Essa, Jordan Haynes (signed), Sahil Sandhu, and Chris Serban (signed). Also having spent time with the club are former Whitecaps FC U-23 players Niall Cousens, Brett Levis (signed), Alex Marrello, Colton O'Neill, and Michael Winter, as well as former Whitecaps FC Prospects player Jordan Whitehead. Three Whitecaps FC MLS SuperDraft picks will join camp, 2014 selection Mackenzie Pridham and 2015 selections Jovan Blagojevic (signed) and Nikola Paunic.


Among the most recongizable names on the list is local midfielder Tyler Roselund who has played the last four seasons in USL with Rochester Rhinos. Roselund also spent time in MLS with Toronto FC, and previously in Sweden with Åtvidabergs FF and in Finland with IFK Mariehamn.


International players include winger Victor Blasco of Barcelona, Spain who played at Vancouver Island University in a unique loan deal from SFU after being scouted by Koch. Another international to have previously been coached by Koch is Germany's Alex Kleefeldt, who played at SFU. Moussa Toure from Monrova, Liberia previously played with Atlanta Silverbacks and is the brother of former Whitecaps USL midfielder Ansu Toure.


WFC2 Open Tryout presented by adidas - Final Selections
First nameLast namePositionHometown
Gavin Barrett D Richmond, BC
Dawit Genet M Burnaby, BC
Coulton Jackson F Port Moody, BC
Carlos Marquez F Vancouver, BC
Matthew Sheldon M Portland, OR


Invited from the WFC2 Open Tryout presented by adidas is former University of Victoria defender Gavin Barrett, midfielder Dawit Genet from the Blaise Soccer Academy (run by former Switzerland national team and Seattle Sounders FC striker Blaise Nkfuo), strikers Coulton Jackson and Carlos Marquez who spent time in the Whitecaps FC Residency program during their youth, and midfielder Matthew Sheldon from the University of California Davis.


In preparation for their season opener on Sunday¸ March 29 away to Seattle Sounders FC 2 (S2), Koch’s squad will play a series of preseason matches (schedule below).


WFC2 Preseason Schedule
DateOpponentTimeLocationCity

Saturday, February 28

Intrasquad Match

6 p.m.

SFU Field #4

Burnaby, BC

Monday, March 9

UBC

7 p.m.

Thunderbird Stadium

Vancouver, BC

Sunday, March 15

Sounders FC 2

1 p.m.

Starfire Sports Complex

Tukwila, WA

Thursday, March 19

SFU

3 p.m.

SFU Fox Field

Burnaby, BC

Sunday, March 22

Oregon State

10 a.m.

TBC


WFC2 will train throughout the week from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT, Monday to Friday at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West.


Weekly WFC2 Training Schedule

Monday

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West

Tuesday

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West

Wednesday

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West

Thursday

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West

Friday

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West


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. The first 1,100 fans to sign up for Season Tickets will be recognized as founding members of the WFC2 Starting 11, a membership group that offers exclusive rewards and experiences. Become a part of the team and secure your Season Ticket Membership today.