By BOB MACKIN
The Vancouver Whitecaps have one Wesley and one Charles. But the club no longer employs Wesley Charles.
The big centre back from St. Vincent and the Grenadines was immediately released Tuesday after a dispute with teammate Jeff Parke in a Burnaby Mountain training session. Charles attempted to strike Parke after being tackled.
On June 12, assistant captain Charles and striker Charles Gbeke briefly fought on-field at Swangard Stadium, late in a 3-2 win over Miami FC. Charles was automatically ejected. Gbeke was later red-carded on the sidelines when he kicked water bottles. Both were suspended one game by the USL and one game by the club. President Bob Lenarduzzi and head coach Teitur Thordarson vowed not to tolerate another incident.
"They stuck to their word and did what they felt they needed to do for the club," said captain Martin Nash. "He'll be missed, not an easy person or player to find a replacement for. It's a shame this happened, especially at this time."
Thordarson said Charles, who played 33 career games with the Caps, remains in town while the club assists him through personal problems.
The defending champion Caps host the Puerto Rico Islanders Saturday at Swangard Stadium in a rematch of the 2008 First Division final.
