The Vancouver Whitecaps will take to the pitch again as they begin preparation for the 2015 MLS season. Medicals were administered this weekend prior to fitness testing on Monday at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium. Preseason training will then be moved down to Kino North Stadium, Arizona from February 2nd – 11th as the players work on match fitness in the Desert Friendlies where they will meet with New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo.
Then it’s Vancouver Island’s turn to get a look at the team as they take on Bruce Wilson’s University of Victoria Vikes in the 10th annual meeting between the two sides, a tradition stretching back to the ‘Caps USL days.
Carl Robinson will wrap up preseason with the 2015 Simple Invitational Tournament in Portland, Oregon. The ‘Caps came out on top in last year’s Rose City Invitational preseason tournament that put them in good stead going into the home opener, demolishing the New York Red Bulls 4-1. The 2015 edition will feature the Portland Timbers, Bob Bradley’s Stabaek and the Chicago Fire.
By that time Carl should have a good feel for where his squad is at and what fine tuning needs to be made prior to the MLS home opener with Toronto FC at BC Place, March 7th.
The club shored up their defense with the midweek addition of former Timber, Pa-Modou Kah. The Gambian was unveiled Friday along with loanee Diego Rodriguez and the clubs biggest hope for goals in Young Designated Player, Octavio Rivero.
Current Squad:
Goalkeepers – David Ousted, Paolo Tornaghi, Marco Carducci
Defenders – Jordan Harvey, Sam Adekugbe, Christian Dean, Steven Beitashour, Ethen Sampson, Kendall Waston, Pa-Modou Kah, Diego Rodriguez, Tim Parker
Midfielders – Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert, Andre Lewis, Matias Laba, Pedro Morales, Mauro Rosales, Nicolas Mezquida, Marco Bustos, Kianz Froese
Forwards – Darren Mattocks, Caleb Clarke, Octavio Rivero, Kekuta Manneh, Erik Hurtado, Kay Banjo (Unsigned)
Fixtures:
Feb 4th New England Revolution in Arizona
Feb 7th San Jose Earthquakes in Arizona
Feb 10th Houston Dynamo in Arizona
Feb 15th Uvic Vikes in Victoria
Feb 22nd Portland Timbers in Portland
Feb 25th Stabaek in Portland
Feb 28th Chicago Fire in Portland