Whitecaps Training Notes - March 23

Whitecaps got back to training today with the full squad, minus some key players. More on that in a moment. The Whitecaps head to Philly tomorrow. As for today, they closed practice for the final half hour in order for some privacy as they get set for the Philadelphia Union. So things we did learn from the practice or post practice is:

Russell Teibert is expected to travel away with the team, and play (potentialy up to 65 minutes) then join up with the U20 Canada squad as they prepare for the CONCACAF U20 Championships. Canada is looking to qualify for the U20 World Cup this summer. Teibert could be a big part of that squad and if he is a regular with the 'caps, a huge plus for that Canadian squad. Teibert says he's feeling good. HIs comments can be heard by clicking here.
Shea Salinas will not travel with the team. Head coach Teitur Thordarson told the media it is highly unlikely he'd be included on the trip. His post training comments can be heard by clicking here.

Davide Chiumiento could travel. Teitur was not specific but said he could take 1 or 2 extra guys on the trip just in case. (TG note: I would keep Davide in Vancouver to fully recover. The season is early on and no use in risking one of your top players to an extended stay on the injured list)

Jay DeMerit will likely make the US squad, which is announced tomorrow (Thursday), but if he doesn't, DeMerit will meet the team in Philly and would likely slot in on Saturday. Greg Janicki will start at the CB position with either Alain Rochat, Bilal Duckett or DeMerit or some other random possibility.

Terry Dunfield will captain the side with the absense of both DeMerit and other alternate captain John Thorrington. Dunfield is honoured and he will be a part of the Captains Comments on TEAM 1410 during the pre-match show on Saturday. That starts at 11am, while kickoff is at 1pm.

Check out Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show on the TEAM 1040 on Sunday at 9pm for a full recap of the Whitecaps v Union match on Saturday. You can also subscribe to the Full-Time podcast by clicking here.

Fastest Whitecap? Don't Forget About Duckett!

Bilal Duckett has heard about fellow Whitecaps Shea Salinas and Wes Knight, but says don't forget about his speed. He might have a little something to say about who is the fastest Whitecap. Duckett also talks about his first ever NHL game when he saw the Canucks play the Phoenix Coyotes in Arizona for a time out of training. Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show caught up with Bilal Duckett and chatted about those items along with what it will take for him to make the Vancouver Whitecaps FC squad.

Click here to listen to the interview.

You can follow Full Time on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also subscribe to Full Time on iTunes. Click here!

Full Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show airs every Sunday night. 9p-11p. Only on TEAM 1040 Sports Radio!

Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS SuperDraft Recaps

Big day for Vancouver Whitecaps FC fans as the club participated in it's first ever MLS SuperDraft and came out of the shoot with the #1 pick and surprised many with the selection. Omar Salgado, a player the Whitecaps have liked was their selection which left many of the MLS media scratching their heads. Bob Lenarduzzi said that they liked Salgado from his week-long trial in August (and failed loan spell to boot) and that never changed.

Salgado, the six-foot-four, 170-pounder from El Paso, Texas, is a member of the U.S. under-20 team.

Bobby Lenarduzzi described Salgado as “very gifted with a great left foot”, and didn’t stop there. “We see him as a player who can contribute right now, with unlimited potential,” Lenarduzzi said on a conference call.
He sees Salgado as a pure goal-scorer, as the US U-20 staff told the Whitecaps that Salgado, when given chances, is a “clinical goal scorer.”

Lendarduzzi admitted the club had received offers for the top pick, but none compared to the potential Salgado has.   Lenarduzzi added the Whitecaps had Salgado pegged as their top pick after his week-long visit with the club in August.

Salgado gave BMac and Sekeres on TEAM Radio a simple description of his style of play, “I’m a target forward. I’m tall but I can dribble.  I can shoot, I can score, I’m just a 9.”

You can hear Salgado with Bmac and Sekeres by clicking here.

Due to FIFA transfer rules, Salgado will not be eligible to play for the Whitecaps until he turns 18 in September.  Bobby Lenarduzzi said on a conference call that the Whitecaps are aware of that rule, but hope to be given an exception.

The Whitecaps then took midfielder Michael Nanchoff, out of the University of Akron.
Lenarduzzi said Nanchoff will fill a need on the left side of the midfield.  According to Lenarduzzi, Nanchoff can “get by people, get into the box, but still understands the defensive side of the field.”

Nanchoff said after the pick that his mom dreamt last night that he was drafted by the Whitecaps. Lenarduzzi also played against Nanchoff’s father and uncle in the NASL.

Full-Time host Tyler Green caught up with Michael Nanchoff on Thursday and that interview can be heard by clicking here.

The Whitecaps had that pick thanks to a trade with Toronto FC.

The club’s third choice, 19th overall, was midfielder Jeb Brovsky from Notre Dame.
Then, with the club’s first pick in the 3rd round (37 overall), the  Whitecaps took defender Bilal Duckett from Notre Dame.

The Portland Timbers took University of Akron forward Darlington Nagbe with the second overall pick.
Nagbe was named NCAA player of the year earlier this month.

Lenarduzzi denied reports that Nagbe told the Whitecaps that he did not want to play in Canada, referring to those rumours as “inaccurate”.  Lenarduzzi said the club was confident that if Nagbe was chosen by the Whitecaps, he would have come to Vancouver.

Again, the conference call with Whitecaps FC President Bob Lenarduzzi and Omar Salgado can be heard here.