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 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 win 2 - 1 over Real Salt Lake

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC beat Real Salt Late 2-1 today in their first training match.

Full-Time caught up head coach Teitur Thordarson and midfielder Terry Dunfield. You can listen to those interviews by clicking on the links below.

To hear the Teitur Thordarson interview click here.
To hear the Terry Dunfield interview click here.

Whitecaps Match Report courtesy of Simon Fudge @ Whitecapsfc.com

Playing their first-ever preseason training match as a Major League Soccer club on Tuesday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated 2009 MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Goals by the Canadian duo of Russell Teibert and Terry Dunfield have Teitur Thordarson's side a positive start to their schedule of preseason training games, with Vancouver just over a week into their preparations for their inaugural MLS season. El Salvador international Arturo Alvarez scored a consolation goal for the Utah-based outfit. Victory was also the second preseason result versus RSL at Grande Sports World. On February 20, 2010, Vancouver claimed a similar 2-1 result over Salt Lake as a USSF D-2 Pro League side.
"The win gives us a good starting point," Dunfield told whitecapsfc.com after Tuesday's game. "For the most part, I thought we competed very well, and there were a lot of positives to take from today's game. Real Salt Lake have some quick and clever players, so if you switch off at any point, they have the ability to hurt you, which is what they did for their goal. This season will be a big step up for most of us, but based on today's performance, it looks like we have a squad that can compete well in MLS."

With both sides keen to look at the many players they have in camp at present, the 'Caps and RSL agreed to a 135-minute match that was played in three periods of 45 minutes each. This allowed 25 members of the Blue and White squad some valuable game action versus an established MLS opponent. Goalkeeper Joe Cannon, centre back Jay DeMerit, midfielder John Thorrington, and trialist Ryan O'Leary all missed Tuesday's friendly contest through injury.

Vancouver strikers Atiba Harris and Davide Chiumiento had the honour of taking Whitecaps FC's first-ever kickoff as an MLS club, with Chiumiento soon having a role in the game's first goal. On 17 minutes, a nice pass from the Swiss international gave youngster Teibert the chance to find the back of the net, as he slipped his shot passed RSL goalkeeper Tim Melia for a 1-0 Vancouver lead.

The goal brought a spell of Whitecaps FC pressure, with former Rochester Rhinos keeper Melia needing to make saves from Teibert and Shea Salinas, while Atiba Harris was off-target with an effort before the end of the first 45-minute period.

Salt Lake then equalized four minutes after the first break. Alvarez combined with midfielder Ned Grabavoy before eluding the attentions of a 'Caps defender and beating goalkeeper Jay Nolly to make it 1-1.
However, that scoreline lasted until the 57th minute, as Dunfield scored the match winner when he converted Teibert's corner from inside RSL's six-yard box to make it 2-1.

Dunfield and RSL's Argentine striker Fabian Espindola traded further chances before the midway point of this extended match, with Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis changing is entire 'Red Team' line-up to his 'Blue Team' selection. Just before the second break, Brazilian striker Pablo Campos forced a clearance off the 'Caps goalline after rising to connect with a close-range header.

Having made several changes through the first 90 minutes of the game, the third 45-minute period saw Thordarson play the remainder of his substitutions, including United States U-20 international keeper Brian Sylvestre and 2011 MLS SuperDraft top pick Omar Salgado.

Despite their best efforts to level matters before the end, RSL's Collen Warner could only see his long-range shot sail high and over the Vancouver goal, while Campos forced a good save from Sylvestre with his turn and shot in the Whitecaps FC box on 112 minutes.

The final whistle confirmed a first win in preseason for the MLS new boys, with Thordarson's squad to continue with their current Arizona training camp until the middle of next week. This will include a training match versus MLS rivals Columbus Crew in Phoenix next Tuesday.
RSL, meanwhile, make their way home to Utah this evening and continue their preparations for their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal clash versus the Crew later this month.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Jay Nolly (24.Brian Sylvestre 90'); 4.Alain Rochat (19.Blake Wagner 45'), 34.Bilal Duckett (23.Long Tan 90'), 14.Greg Janicki (33.Michael Boxall 86'), 8.Wes Knight (25.Jonathan Leathers 68'); 12.Russell Teibert (36.Santiago Bedoya 68', 35.Joe Anderson 110'), 26.Gershon Koffie (32.Jeb Brovsky 68'), 7.Terry Dunfield (15.Philippe Davies 81'), 22.Shea Salinas (39.Cornelius Stewart 45', 17.Omar Salgado 104'); 28.Davide Chiumiento (29.Nizar Khalfan 68'), 9.Atiba Harris (3.Kyle Porter 52', 13.Lenny Hartmann 115')

Real Salt Lake
Red Team (1st - 68th minute): Tim Melia; Robbie Russell, Jamie Cunningham (Drew Cost 45'), Nat Borchers, John Gilkerson; Jean Alexandre, Luis Gil (Nick Love 45'), Ned Grabavoy, Javier Morales; Arturo Alvarez, Fabian Espindola
Blue Team (68th - 135th minute): Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave, Rauwshan McKenzie, Chris Wingert; Kyle Beckerman, Collen Warner, Will Johnson, Andy Williams; Pablo Campos, Paulo Araujo Jr.