Whitecaps Add Pelc And Re-Sign Bellisomo
April 1, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of Canadian goalkeeper Dan Pelc and the re-signing of Canadian defender Luca Bellisomo. Both contracts are for one-year - pending the approval of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Pelc, 23, joins the Whitecaps after initially coming to the club for a trial last November. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound native of Hamilton, Ontario, spent the past two seasons with Serbian White Eagles of the eastern-based Canadian Soccer League (CSL). He was named 2009 CSL Goalkeeper of the Year, as the Toronto-based outfit finished last year's CSL playoffs as runners-up. In 2008, Pelc led the White Eagles to the CSL championship title after a penalty shootout win over Quebec's Trois-Rivières Attak in the final. In 2002 and 2003, the shot-stopper played for former CSL club Hamilton Thunder.
Prior to joining the White Eagles, Pelc had trials in Europe with English clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers (November 2007) and Nottingham Forest (January/February 2008). He also trained with Polish club Górnik Zabrze in the summer of 2007.
A college standout at Southern New Hampshire University from 2004 to 2007, Pelc made two friendly appearances versus Jamaica and the United States for Canada's U-17 national team in 2003. He was also a member of the Canadian Soccer Association's National Training Centre (Ontario region) program from 2002 to 2004.
Bellisomo, 23, returns for his third season with the 'Caps after splitting his time between the men's team and the Residency squad in 2009. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound native of Coquitlam, BC, played an integral role during the Whitecaps playoff run to last year's United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) Championship Series, with the centre back starting all six of Vancouver's post-season matches. During the regular season, Bellisomo made 10 USL-1 appearances for 673 minutes of action, as well as 11 USL Premier Development League appearances with the club's Residency team for 940 minutes of action. In two seasons with the 'Caps, Bellisomo started 21 of his 27 total appearances for 1,975 minutes of action, scoring one goal and recording two assists.
Whitecaps 2010 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men's and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for Vancouver MLS 2011 in BC Place. For more information on the 2010 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from April 1, 2010
- Miami FC To Play Final Preseason Game - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Add Pelc And Re-Sign Bellisomo - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Ritchie Returns To RailHawks As Coach - North Carolina FC
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