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.

Whitecaps FC Training Notes - March 21, 2011

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC were back at training this afternoon as they prepare for the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. The 'Caps called up a few residency players to train with the group today. Those players along with some veterens will head to San Jose for the reserve game match tomorrow. Among the vets going, Joe Cannon will start in goal as he is trying to get back to fitness and will play on the same pitch that he broke his ankle at last season. Cannon speaks about the match tomorrow here. Kevin Harmse is on trial and will get a good look from the Whitecaps as the 'caps look to solidify a few positions and get guys some action. Harmse could potentially be a guy the Whitecaps look at to fill their need at centre back this weekend. Harmse is a versatile player that could fill a number of roles.

With the main squad, the Whitecaps will go against Philly on Saturday without the services of Jay DeMerit and Michael Boxall. DeMerit is with the US National Team while Boxall is headed to play for New Zealand against China. Boxall spoke about his bittersweet call-up here.The 'Caps now have one healthy centre back (Greg Janicki) in the line-up against Philly. They could move Alain Rochat to the middle and slide Blake Wagner onto that left side. Or the Whitecaps could sign Kevin Harmse and sit him at centre back with Janicki. Audio in the on-air folder of head coach Teitur Thordarson, who said they have some decisions to make. Hear Thorardson's comments by clicking here.

The Whitecaps could also be without their starting outside midfielders, Russell Teibert and Davide Chiumiento, both left Saturday's match with right hamstring injuries. Teibert is receiving treatment and will remain with the club for a few days. The 'Caps will decide what is best for him. He could play in the match on Saturday before reporting to Canada's under 20 squad. Chiumiento is also revieving treatment and depending on how he recovers could see action on Saturday aswell.

Injury boost as Shea Salinas, who today said he'll be 100% by weeks end as really wants to play against Philly, the team that put him in the expansion draft. He said he felt let down by the way the Union left him unprotected after telling him they were definitely protecting him. So he wants a little revenge. He could slot in the right side if Chiumiento can't go.

Tomorrow, the 'Caps will hold another training session at Empire Field.

Full-Time Preview - Sunday, February 20th, 2011

On Sunday, February 20^that 9pm on TEAM1040, Full-Time: Vancouver’s Soccer Show will go in-depth with full coverage of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as they continue their pre-season training camp in Phoenix, Arizona. Mike Martignago will hold down the fort at the TEAM1040 studios in Vancouver, while Tyler Green will be co-hosting from Arizona where he is covering the ‘Caps. Tyler and Mike will have a full recap of the weekend events, including matches against Chivas USA, the US U-18 National Team and the LA Galaxy, plus interviews with Whitecaps centre back Jay DeMerit, Forward Omar Salgado and head coach Teitur Thordarson.
The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel will also make special appearances on the show.

Also joining the broadcast on Sunday night will be Paul Dolan, Goalkeeping coach of the Canadian Men’s National Team to discuss Canada’s last friendly against Greece and the emergence of Milan Borjan as the next ‘great’ Canadian ‘keeper. Marc Rizzardo of Metrotown Physio will also stop by to discuss all the latest injury news from around the world of soccer.

Full-Time: Vancouver’s Soccer Show can be heard every Sunday night on TEAM1040 Radio in Vancouver from 9-11pm.

Missed a show? Subscribe to the Full-Time podcast by clicking here.

Whitecaps Lose 1 - 0 to Chivas USA in Casa Grande, Arizona

The Whitecaps evened their pre-season record to 2-2 when they lost 1 - 0 to Chivas USA on a late goal from Jesus Padilla. The 'Caps looked dangerous throughout the game with two glorious chances from Russell Tiebert and Brazillian trialist Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo.

The scoreline is indicative of what many fans are worried about during the regular season, losses because of a lack of scoring. It is something that is not lost of head coach Teitur Thordarson. During his post match comments I asked him whether or not he is worried about the lack of finish. You can hear that interview here.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Whitecaps look extremely sharp. They are a loud and boisterous crew on the back led by Jay DeMerit and have veteren experience with Jonathan Leathers and Alain Rochat. Greg Janicki fills out the backline and is coming off a great finish to his 2010 USSF-D2 season. This foursome looks to be a lock as the opening day back-line.

Jay DeMerit started his first match and played his first ever 45 minutes with the 'Caps and thinks that despite the loss, it's still a team progressing to the great goal of being championship material. Hear his comments here.

Greg Janicki played a full 90 minutes despite a cold/sickness and discussed that after the match. Hear the interview with Janicki here.

Terry Dunfield was probably the best Whitecap of the field today making his presence known on both sides of the ball. He spoke about the match here.

Overall, Vancouver looks to be on of the most hard-working teams on the field this season in MLS. Jonathan Leathers and Shea Salinas look good together on the right side of the field. Dunfield is enjoying the challenge of stepping up to the next level and despite being their first match together, Janicki and DeMerit look extremely comfortable together as the centre-backs.

On the negative... of all the good things we have heard and seen from Davide Chiumiento in recent weeks was all for not today. He looked very average and out of place on the field in the loss to Chivas. Atiba Harris did not look like a man that can take the mantle as "the goalscorer" for the 'Caps and for everything that guys like Chiumiento, Harris, Tan and Sanvezzo have done or going for them, goal scoring is still something that isn't happening and that remains the key to the forward position.

Tomorrow, the Whitecaps look to rebound by playing the U.S. U-18 National Team. Omar Salgado will likely start up top. Boxall and Duckett will likely pair on the backline with Wes Knight and Blake Wagner at right and left back with Gershon Koffie, Philippe Davies, Alex Morfaw, Bedri Gashi mixing through the rest of the line-up as Brian Sylvestre will start in net. Start time for that game is 10am in Vancouver, 11am in Phoenix.

So the question remains... who will score the goals for the Vancouver Whitecaps? Who will be in the starting XI? and How come the Whitecaps Adidas blue and white track suits (Which look extremely smart) don't match the Adidas red, white and grey running shoes?

Whitecaps FC Week 1 of Training Camp

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC wrapped up week 1 of training on Thursday and are headed to Casa Grande in Arizona on Friday as they continue training and play in a pair of exhibition matches against Major League Soccer competition. With week 1 from Vancouver wrapped, we at Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show, offer you a variety of interviews from Whitecaps players and coaches.

First up is, what Full-Time believes to be the likely team captain in, Jay DeMerit, who is returning to competiton after 8 months off after his season ended last year in England. Who says he is easing back into training.

Greg Janicki was the defender of the year in USSF-D2 or "League Deuce" in 2010. He is looking to establish himself with the Whitecaps in MLS and says he is feeling good so far in camp.

Another holdover from last season and "League Deuces" Goalkeeper of the Year of 2010, Jay Nolly, says the 1st week of training has been good.

Wes Knight is coming off shoulder surgery in the off-season and thinks that overall, training has gone well for most in camp.

The Whitecaps have also brought in new players, whether through the expansion draft, SuperDraft or Supplementary Draft. Those players are also in camp and for Shea Salinas, it's a nice opportunity to see the construction of BC Place, training at Empire Field and meeting a lot of new faces in camp.

Michael Nanchoff was the 8th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft and 2nd pick for the Whitecaps. He's coming off a minor injury but is enjoying training and getting to know the city of Vancouver.

Michael Boxall was a supplementary draft player and had no idea he woul be selected by Vancouver, but excited about the chance.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson rounds out our audio for the week and says he likes what he's seen so far from the 1st week of training.

The Whitecaps will now spend the next ten days in Arizona before returning to Vancouver, where it is likely that the 'Caps will make some more signings of the current players in camp.