VALE OF GLAMORGAN, WALES – After earning their first preseason victory of 2017 – in convincing fashion, no less – Vancouver Whitecaps FC conclude their preseason tour in the United Kingdom on Thursday morning with a friendly vs. Bristol City FC U-23s.
Kickoff is set for 4 a.m. PT (12 p.m. PT local) at The Vale – Hensol Park.
The match is open to the public. Fans can follow Whitecaps FC on Twitter for live updates and stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com for complete post-match coverage, including highlights and interviews.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said that centre back Kendall Waston and midfielder/forward Giles Barnes, who have both been dealing with minor knocks, will make their preseason debuts on Thursday, likely for 30 to 45 minutes.
“It’s nice to have them back in training,” said Robinson, who received a golden cap for his 52 appearances for Wales in a surprise presentation by Welsh assistant manager Osian Roberts after training. “Maybe seven days later than I expected, but they looked very sharp today.”
Most of the other players will likely play closer to 60-75 minutes, Robinson said.
Aside from continuing to build up their fitness, Robinson said he’ll be looking for the team to implement some of the combinations and link-up play in the attacking third that they spent a large portion of Wednesday’s session working on.
BRISTOL CITY FC
Like Cardiff, who Whitecaps FC faced last Friday, Bristol City compete in the English Football League Championship – the second highest tier of pro soccer in England.
The ‘Caps will be facing their in-form U-23 side, who have won seven of their last eight matches.
In their most recent outing, 20-year old forward Shawn McCoulsky bagged a hat-trick for The Robins in a 4-1 win over Colchester United U-23s, so the ‘Caps should be in for a good test.
Vancouver supporters from the old NASL days and longtime BCFC supporters are likely familiar with the likes of Les Wilson and Roger Kenyon, as both players spent time at the two clubs during the 1970s.
NEWS AND NOTES
Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has transferred midfielder Kianz Froese to German side Fortuna Düsseldorf.
“Kianz wanted to go and explore other options,” Robinson said. “I’ll never be a manager that stands in the way of any player that doesn’t want to be here. I said to every player in my locker room every day, it’s a great honour to represent this football club and play for this club. You’re either in it or you’re not. I wish Kianz good luck. He’s a good kid. And he wants to go explore another opportunity so we’ll allow him to do that.”
In other news, camp invitees Attila Filkor and David Templeton are no longer with the team.
NEXT UP
Following Thursday’s match, Whitecaps FC will return to Vancouver on Friday, where they will train on Monday, February 6 before heading to Portland for the annual Timbers Preseason Tournament.
The ‘Caps open their 2017 campaign against New York Red Bulls in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals (Leg 1: February 22, Leg 2: March 2). They will then face Philadelphia Union in their MLS season opener on March 5 at BC Place.
