WHITECAPS FC IN THE NEWS
Yesterday’s MLS Supplemental draft added a number of new players to watch when Vancouver Whitecaps FC finally begin training week. Some familiar faces for coach Martin Rennie also made the headlines, including 29-year old forward/winger Etienne Barbara. Barbara was prolific at the second tier level last year, scoring 28 times in 54 appearances. Martin MacMahon gives us the details on the latest Whitecaps player movement. (Martin MacMahon – MLSsoccer.com)
Another familiar face to be added yesterday was keeper Brad Knighton. Read about the player Martin Rennie hopes will, “provide healthy competition between the posts here in Vancouver.”
A total of 76 players were selected in yesterday’s draft. For those who followed the Player Combine, a complete list of who ended up with which club can be found HERE, or you can take in some of the highlights of the draft HERE. (MLSsoccer.com)
Canadian women’s soccer legend, and former Whitecaps FC player Kara Lang reflects on the, “The pride and honour of wearing the maple leaf on your chest,” in her latest feature on women’s Olympic qualifying. Lang suspects that it should be a fight to the finish for three teams in particular as they vie for the two Olympic berths. Read all about her predictions HERE. (Kara Lang – Sportsnet)
WHITECAPS FC ON THE RADIO:
Jay DeMerit was interviewed by the BBC World Service’s weekly ‘World Football’ show about his career. You can listen HERE!
‘Whitecaps FC Daily’ with Peter Schaad on TEAM 1410 sports radio is on a winter break until the New Year, but for those of you who may have missed some episodes, you can find them HERE!
The show will return on January 23, 2012, and air every Monday to Friday at 3 p.m. PT on TEAM 1410.
You can always get your soccer fix every Sunday night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. PT by tuning into ‘Full-Time: Vancouver’s Soccer Show’ with Tyler Green and Mike Martignago on TEAM 1040.
West Coast Soccer Weekly is a new podcast hosted by Canadian Soccer News writers Pierce Lang and Michael McColl. For all things soccer on the best coast, including up to date coverage of Whitecaps FC, Highlanders, Men's and Women's Canadian national teams, and local community clubs be sure to listen in HERE!
WHITECAPS FC IN THE HOUSE
Some of the biggest news to come out of yesterday’s Supplemental Draft was the acquisition by Whitecaps FC of the discovery rights to striker Etienne Barbara. Carl Valentine gets coach Rennie’s thoughts on the Maltese player who had a break-out season last year for the Carolina RailHawks.
The names Klazura, Fontein, and Fetrow might not be familiar to you yet, but you can bet that they’ll be doing their best to change that when they show up for preseason training next Monday. Read all about the three players who were selected by Whitecaps FC in yesterday’s MLS Supplemental Draft, and who will now be competing for a spot on the team. (whitecapsfc.com)
Not to be out-done, Whitecaps Residency signed four new players of their own yesterday, including three players from the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League. Take a look at the latest Residency player signings and how Richard Grootscholten, Whitecaps FC Residency technical director and head coach believes, “The EA SPORTS BCSPL is a very important part of our development structure.” (whitecapsfc.com)
‘Caps for Canada’s stories of our tremendous women’s national team enters the final stretch before tomorrow’s home opener at BC Place. Chelsea Buckland is the latest player to be featured. While she lacks some of her compatriots experience, check out how she adds something fresh to the mix. (Brandon Timko – whitecapsfc.com)
Tired of being on the sidelines? Want a chance to prove you've got what it takes to be a part of the Vancouver Whitecaps team? Volunteering with Whitecaps FC is an ideal starting point for anyone looking to work in the sports industry. Check out how you can get involved with your favourite soccer club HERE! (Paul Albi & Alexis Demmery – whitecapsfc.com)
CANADIAN SOCCER SCENE
Be sure to mark February 29th on your calendar. The Canadian Soccer Association announced that will be the day the Canadian men’s national team will kick off 2012 in a friendly against 46th ranked Armenia. Read all about the matchup against a side coach Stephen Hart describes as “very tricky” and “very dynamic”. (Rudi Schuller – MLSsoccer.com)
