Whitecaps prepare for Saturday’s kickoff
Posted February 25, 2013 4:57 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Whitecaps began their final week of preseason training by showing off their new UBC training facility and signing a third keeper.
The Whitecaps opened up their locker rooms to the media today for a sneak preview of their new National Development Soccer Development Centre (NSDC) at the University of British Columbia, where they will train Tuesday and Thursday , before a final training session Friday at BC Place where they will open the Major League Soccer season against Toronto FC on Saturday (3:30 p.m.)
It begins a busy week for the club. On Wednesday night, the Whitecaps will reveal their new primary uniforms at a season ticket holder event, and on Thursday MLS commissioner Don Garber will be in the city for the annual Whitecaps Media Roundtable.
The new player is Canadian goalkeeper Simon Thomas, a graduate of the club’s Residency program. The 22-year-old Victoria native rejoins Vancouver after spending the 2011-12 season with English League One club Huddersfield Town FC and slots in as the third keeper.
The Whitecaps have a couple of lineup concerns with opening day against Toronto FC only five days away. Captai Jay DeMerit, who missed hall of 2011 with a groin injury says his current Achilles injury shouldn’t shouldn’t keep him out of Saturday’s game.
The team is hoping that newly-acquired EPL veteran Nigel Reo-Coker will be ready for opening day. Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi tells News1130 Sports that the midfielder may not start Saturday but will dress. Lenarduzzi also adds that there are still tickets available for Saturday’s game.
