Sports stats



MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

New Academy Season Kicks off for Whitecaps FC

September 2, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


After a short break, a new academy season is about to begin for Whitecaps FC Residency teams with a number of players moving up to higher age groups and fresh faces entering the program.The 'Caps U-16 and U-18 teams are on the road in California and Arizona for their first two matches of the Development Academy season. On Saturday they face Sacramento Republic FC, and on Monday they take on Real Salt Lake AZ.

The younger 'Caps, meanwhile, head across the border this weekend. Both the U-14 and U-15 teams will play in Seattle in a regional Cascadia tournament versus hosts Seattle Sounders FC Academy and Portland Timbers Academy.

U-18s

The eldest 'Caps Residency team had a highly successful 2015-16 season, losing only once during the regular season and capturing the Northwest Division title. They followed that up with a fantastic playoff run, making the Development Academy championship final for a second time before losing a heartbreaker, 2-1 in extra time versus FC Dallas.

This year's team is a different group though, largely built off of what was last year's U-16 team. 15 players move up from that squad, with three players returning from last year's U-18 roster. Four new players have also joined, with three from Whitecaps FC regional academy centres and one new addition from Chilliwack.

A tough challenge awaits the U-18s in their first match against Sacramento Republic FC - whose first team plays against Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) in the USL. Sacramento finished second to the 'Caps in the Northwest Division last year before the Blue and White downed them 5-3 in the Academy quarterfinals.

Things don't get any easier on Monday when they face Real Salt Lake AZ, who won their Southwest Division last season and made it to the academy quarterfinals.

U-16s

As the majority of last year's U-16 team moves up to the U-18 level, nine players move up from last year's Pre-Residency group to the U-16 team.

Only three players return from the U-16 team of the past season. 12 new players enter the program, including seven from Alberta following the club's official partnership with the Alberta Soccer Association.

The U-16s also had a very strong prior season, winning the Northwest Division before falling in the group stage of the academy playoffs.

It will be a great early test for the young group this weekend as both Sacramento and Real Salt Lake AZ made the playoffs last year.

U-14 and U-15s

This year the 'Caps have added to their youngest group with two teams, both a U-14 and U-15 Residency team. All players are also now attending Burnaby Central Secondary.

The U-14s are led by James Merriman. The team is a new group of players, largely from the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League, with the first player also joining from the Whitecaps FC Kamloops Academy Centre. They had a fantastic first opportunity to come together when they played in the U-13 CONCACAF Champions League against international competition in July.

As for the U-15 team, six players return to the 'Caps and eight new players enter the fold. The team is led by former Whitecaps FC and Wales national team striker Robert Earnshaw.

The boys kick off their seasons this weekend against their Cascadia rivals as they take on both Seattle Sounders FC Academy and Portland Timbers Academy teams at Starfire Sports Complex.

Check out the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 2, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central