With a little over two weeks until Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) kick off their inaugural USL season, head coach Alan Koch and his squad returned to the training field at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex on Thursday.
Here are a few news and notes:
Homegrown talent and draft picks
Player announcements for WFC2 will continue to be made in the coming weeks as the season approaches, but an interesting group of local players and MLS SuperDraft picks remain in preseason camp.
Among those players in camp are former Whitecaps FC youth products Derrick Bassi, Alex Marrello, and Sahil Sandhu.
Bassi is a 6-foot-1 centre back who came through the Residency program, and in fact his younger brother Brandon is currently in the club’s Pre-Residency program.
“If both brothers become centre backs for this club, it would be a dream for my dad and for everyone in the community,” noted elder brother Derrick in a recent interview with the Surrey Now.
Sandhu also played in the ‘Caps Residency program and was one of the top scorers in the local VMSL, while Marrello has spent time with the club’s U-23 PDL team.
2014 MLS SuperDraft pick Mackenzie Pridham, and 2015 SuperDraft picks Spencer Richey and Craig Nitti are with the team as well. Joining Richey in the goalkeeper department is Mark Village, who recently played at the University of the Fraser Valley under head coach Alan Errington.
Ole!
So far, all seven players signed to the WFC2 roster have been Canadian. It’s clear that developing players for the Red and White will be a priority for this team.
But one intriguing international prospect among the group is winger Victor Blasco.
The Spaniard spent much of his youth playing in the academy of famed club FC Barcelona. He was recruited by Koch to join SFU, but ended up spending a year at VIU and led the school to the CCAA national championship final.
Kicking off preseason
WFC2 played their first match of preseason on Monday at their home venue, Thunderbird Stadium. But they weren’t the home team for this match. The ‘Caps were the visitors as they took on the UBC men’s soccer team.
Each half provided mixed lineups, with a combination of MLS and USL players, as well as trialists. The young 'Caps controlled much of the match but couldn't find a breakthrough as it finished 0-0.
“It was our first game and we’re still early in the process of getting to know each other,” said Koch. “It was a good exercise against UBC. They’re an organized, hard-working team and they came out and gave us a good challenge.”
Sunday vs. Seattle
On Sunday, March 29, WFC2 kick off their inaugural season on the road against Seattle Sounders FC 2 (S2). This Sunday, they get a dress rehearsal of sorts when they travel across the border for a friendly match vs. S2.
“This will be a dose of reality and will give us a good idea of what it’s going to be like in two weeks’ time,” noted Koch. “The result is not as important this weekend, but the performance is.”
The ‘Caps will have to look out for Argentine midfielder Pablo Rossi on Sunday. Though he’s yet to sign with the Sounders USL side, he’s made quite an impression in preseason with his long-range shooting ability (See HERE and HERE).
