Marco Carducci

PROFILE
A two-time Canadian U-17 Player of the Year, Marco Carducci joined Whitecaps FC’s MLS roster as a Homegrown player on March 4, 2014 after spending two and a half years with the club’s Residency program.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
2016: Carducci finished his second USL season with a 1.43 goals-against average, a 0.615 save percentage, and a 3W-3L-1D record in seven starts. He also recorded one clean sheet, his first in his professional career, on June 19 versus Timbers 2. 2015: Carducci tallied a 2W-3L-4D record in nine starts for Whitecaps FC 2, finishing with a 1.67 goals against average, best on the team.

FRIENDLIES & PRESEASONS
2016: Carducci made one start in two preseason appearances for Whitecaps FC, allowing only one goal in 105 minutes and earning two wins. He also came on as a halftime substitute in the international friendly against Crystal Palace FC on July 19, helping the 'Caps to a 2-2 draw. 2014: Carducci allowed just two goals in four appearances with Whitecaps FC during the 2014 preseason.

AMWAY CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
2014: Carducci started both legs of the ACC semifinals, playing all 210 minutes and making six saves over the two contests. 

UNITED STATES SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
2013-14: As a member of the Whitecaps FC U-18 squad, Carducci started 13 of his 14 appearances, recording four clean sheets in the process. 2012-13: The Calgary native started 19 of 21 regular season games he played for Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency, with four clean sheets on the season. 2011-12: Carducci started 13 of 15 games for Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency, and he amassed a 10W-4L-0D record, with eight clean sheets on the season.

INTERNATIONAL
U-23: Carducci was called up to the Canadian U-23 national team for a camp and Caribbean tour in May 2016, recording a clean sheet in the 3-0 friendly win over Grenada in May 2016. U-20: Carducci was called up to the Canada U-20 team for an international friendly against England in March 2016. As part of a set of international friendlies in November 2014, Carducci backstopped Canada to a 2-2 draw with England’s U-20 side. In August 2014, Carducci helped the Red and White reach the finals of the Dale Farm Milk Cup, a prestigious youth tournament in Northern Ireland. U-18: In November 2011, Carducci took part in a 10-day training camp in San Jose, Costa Rica with Canada’s U-18 development squad. U-17: Carducci, who was named Canadian U-17 Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, recorded eight caps with the Canadian U-17 national team. He won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2013 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship, starting all four matches and recording a clean sheet in the tournament opener against Trinidad and Tobago. In October 2013, Carducci also started all three matches for the Red and White at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The Calgary native was Canada’s player of the match in a 2-2 draw with Austria and a standout in their 1-1 draw with Iran, who launched 23 shots towards the goal and 12 on target. U-16: At the age of 15, Carducci earned his first call-up to a Canadian youth national team in 2011 under head coach Robert Gale.

YOUTH/AMATEUR
Carducci's accomplishments throughout his youth career are impressive. He started his soccer career with Calgary's MSB United (2000 to 2005) before a brief spell with MacKenzie FC (2005 to 2006). He then joined Calgary Villains FC for a five-year spell (2006 to 2011). Carducci also represented the province of Alberta from U-13 to U-16 levels, while he represented Western Canada at the 2008 Danone Nations Cup. As a member of the Alberta U-14 provincial team, Carducci earned a bronze medal and was named top goalkeeper at the Canadian U-14 All-Star Championship in 2010. Carducci also trained with the Canadian Soccer Association's National Training Centre (Prairies region) program in 2010 and 2011. The goalkeeper has already earned several individual awards in his young career. They include the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the 2007 Calgary All-Star Game and being named top U-14 goalkeeper (2008-09) and top U-16 MVP (2010) at Calgary Villains FC. It was also in 2010 that Carducci claimed Calgary Villains FC's James Dobson Memorial Trophy for leadership and example. Carducci was also named as the Umbrella Academy Whitecaps FC U-16 Player of the Year in 2013.

PERSONAL 
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Carducci's parents are Maria and Luciano Carducci. The goalkeeper also has a brother named Alessandro. As a student in Calgary, Alberta, Carducci attended Monsignor Neville Anderson Elementary School (2002 to 2008) before spending one year at St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary Junior High School (2008-09) and then attending St. Margaret Junior High School (2009 to 2011). Upon his move to BC, he then attended Burnaby Central Secondary. The goalkeeper also carries dual Canadian and Italian citizenship.

INTERESTING FACTS 
When the 6-foot-1 goalkeeper spends time away from soccer, he enjoys biking, running, reading, watching soccer, and spending time with his family and friends. The goalkeeper loves Italian food and watching his favourite team in Italian Serie A giants S.S. Lazio. His favourite player is Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. He dreams to one day play at the legendary Italian stadium, Stadio Olimpico.