In honour of Father's Day this weekend, we asked five Whitecaps FC players to share some of their best memories with their old men. Unsurprisingly, soccer was a common theme.
David Ousted: When I was 13 or 14, he used to take me to training for the teams he coached. I would always train there by myself and whenever they were done and getting ready to do finishing, I would always go in goal and help out. He always brought me for that. I think he always told the players not to hit it too hard and take it easy on me.
Ousted's dad and twin boys enjoy a moment
Tim Parker: Maybe when I got drafted. The whole process of getting drafted was stressful as it was. I remember sitting next to my dad as the draft got started. His phone kept going off, my phone kept going off, people asking us what was going to happen. We really didn’t know. Finally when Vancouver called my name, it was pure excitement. I was able to give my dad a big hug, and my mom and brothers as well. It was just so special for me and my dad because he’s been my coach growing up. It just felt like we had such a strong connection together.
Ben McKendry: Saturday mornings watching English Premier League with him. We’d get up early and watch soccer while everyone else was still asleep. Chelsea was our team. Frank Lampard was the player I looked up to so if they were on, we’d watch them. Also Manchester United back when Ronaldo, Beckham, and Giggs were playing. And obviously kicking the ball around with my dad in the front yard for hours on end, going to Whitecaps games, and stuff like that.
Marco Carducci: Father’s Day means a lot to me because I have a really close connection with my dad. The big thing definitely was soccer for both of us. When I was young, he pushed me in the direction of being a goalkeeper. Honestly from eight or nine years old, and up until I moved here, he’s been my coach. I basically owe everything to him. He put in so much time, so much money, he gave up everything to help me and train me. For that, and so many other things, he really shaped me into who I am today and for that I owe him the world.
Jordan Harvey: There’s not necessarily one memory that sticks out. It’s a commitment my dad made to me and my passion for soccer from day one. He drove me to every single training session and watched every single training session and game from when I was nine years old until I could drive. That commitment showed me what a true dad is all about. Being there for his son and involved in a sport he didn’t really know much about but jumped into with both feet and really committed to me as a son.
Still looking for a gift for dad? How about a WFC2 ticket for Sunday?
Dads get in FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket.
