Whitecaps’ DeMerit may miss TFC game
Posted March 15, 2011 9:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps might have to play their first Major League Soccer game minus their captain.
Coach Teitur Thordarson says central defender Jay DeMerit may have to watch from the sidelines Saturday when the Whitecaps host Canadian rival Toronto FC in their MLS opener.
Midfielder John Thorrington is also questionable after both players sat out the Whitecaps’ final exhibition game last weekend, a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids.
Losing DeMerit, the first player Vancouver signed to an MLS contract, would cost the Whitecaps an important fixture on their defence.
“It’s definitely a setback in a way,” Thordarson said after the Whitecaps’ practice Tuesday. “He’s our captain, our leader and our most experienced player.
“There is no doubt I would rather have him on the field than be injured.”
DeMerit sounded more confident than his coach. The 31-year-old U.S. national team member called his hip-flexor, groin-area injury “little nigglies.”
“If today was the game, I would play and go for it,” said DeMerit, a native of Green Bay, Wis.
Thorrington, meanwhile, has been slowed with a leg injury.
“He’s still struggling a little bit,” Thordarson said. “We don’t know if he’s healthy enough to train on Thursday and healthy enough to be ready for the weekend.”
Neither DeMerit or Thorrington participated in the Whitecaps’ scrimmage at practice. DeMerit spent a lot of time laying on his back with training staff stretching his legs.
Thorrington jogged around the pitch watching his teammates.
The Whitecaps have Wednesday off, then return to practice on Thursday. Thordarson has until Saturday to decide on his lineup.
“I would like to see the players who are going to play on Saturday, I would like to see them in training on Friday at least,” he said.
DeMerit says he’s just being careful.
“These types of situations you have to err on the side of caution,” he said. “Right now, it’s not the time to go and push yourself out there.
“(The injury) is not something that you really need to take super serious but you need to do some maintenance so it doesn’t become something serious.”
DeMerit controls the Whitecaps back line, barking orders and instructions. He came to Vancouver after playing six seasons in England with Watford FC, where he was a team captain. He also played in every game for the U.S. at last summer’s World Cup.
Thorrington, 31, was expected to be Vancouver’s starting central midfielder, playing beside Terry Dunfield. The Whitecaps plucked him off the roster of the Chicago Fire during the MLS expansion draft in November.
Thorrington spent six years with the Fire. He’s also spent time with Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen.
The Whitecaps also added to their roster Wednesday by announcing the signing of goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, defender Bilal Duckett and defender/midfielder Jeb Brovsky.
Thordarson praised the work ethic of the three young players.
“They have great attitudes, are athletic, and have good technique,” he said in a release. “These three players will compliment our squad very well for our first season in MLS.”
Sylvestre, an 18-year-old native of Hollywood, Fla., progressed through the Whitecaps residency program. In January, he participated in a USA U-20 training camp.
The Whitecaps took the 22-year-old Brovsky 19th overall in the MLS SuperDraft. The Lakewood, Colo., native had a stellar NCAA Division I career at the University of Notre Dame.
Vancouver selected the 22-year-old Duckett 37th overall in the SuperDraft. The native of Peachtree City, Ga., was the starting right fullback with Notre Dame during his junior and senior year.
Thordarson is still deciding on his roster for the game against Toronto.
“We have some little injuries,” he said. “Hopefully they will be solved during these days coming and we will have the whole roster training on Thursday.”
The Whitecaps are expecting a physical game against Toronto, and hope to send a message to their more established Canadian rival.
“This is the one of the biggest games of the season,” said Thordarson. “Not only because it’s the first game, but it’s also a Canadian derby. This will give a little extra edge for the game.”
The Whitecaps have sold around 15,000 season tickets for the game, which will be played at Empire Field.
DeMerit says its important the Whitecaps leave a good first impression on the fans.
“All the preparation, all the lights, camera and action, is coming to Saturday,” he said. “We all want to get everyone excited about what is to come.
“Saturday is the first step. It’s the first brick in the wall.”
