Registered: 03/25/01
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Vancouver just acquired the discovery rights to Etienne Barbara, who hails from the great nation of Malta and scored 20 goals for the Carolina Railhawks (NASL) last season.
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Vancouver current frontline, they must have a trade lined up:
Vancouver Whitecaps Strikers: Davide Chiumiento (Age 27) 5' 8" 150 Switzerland Forward, Midfielder Atiba Harris (Age 27) 6' 3" 185 St. Kitts and Nevis Forward, Midfielder Eric Hassli (Age 30) 6' 4" 200 France Forward Mustapha Jarju 25 6' 160 Gambia Forward Omar Salgado (Age 18) 6' 4" 170 United States Forward Camilo Sanvezzo (Age 23) 5' 7" 155 Brazil Forward Long Tan (Age 23) 6' 1" 170 China Forward Darren Mattocks (Age 21) 6' 155 Jamaica Forward Etienne Barbara (Age 29) 6' 1" Malta Forward
Vancouver just acquired the discovery rights to Etienne Barbara, who hails from the great nation of Malta and scored 20 goals for the Carolina Railhawks (NASL) last season.
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Vancouver current frontline, they must have a trade lined up:
Vancouver Whitecaps Strikers: Davide Chiumiento (Age 27) 5' 8" 150 Switzerland Forward, Midfielder Atiba Harris (Age 27) 6' 3" 185 St. Kitts and Nevis Forward, Midfielder Eric Hassli (Age 30) 6' 4" 200 France Forward Mustapha Jarju 25 6' 160 Gambia Forward Omar Salgado (Age 18) 6' 4" 170 United States Forward Camilo Sanvezzo (Age 23) 5' 7" 155 Brazil Forward Long Tan (Age 23) 6' 1" 170 China Forward Darren Mattocks (Age 21) 6' 155 Jamaica Forward Etienne Barbara (Age 29) 6' 1" Malta Forward
1. Atiba Harris (Age 27) 6' 3" 185 St. Kitts and Nevis Forward, Midfielder 2. Davide Chiumiento (Age 27) 5' 8" 150 Switzerland Forward, Midfielder 3.Mustapha Jarju 25 6' 160 Gambia Forward 4. Long Tan (Age 23) 6' 1" 170 China Forward
Are the guys on your list look to be on their out the door or the two than can play midfield might just be use in that department but I think they more likely to be cut from team, they are all international players. Vancouver coach said, Etienne Barbara can be use as a wide midfielder or striker. I love the moves the team is making. They bring in a defender from Cruz Azul, drafted defenders and goalkeeper in superdraft and supplemental draft lately. Vancouver is making a strong push to be a very lethal attacking team, Mattocks is not counted as a international player or go against their salary cap because he is GA I think. Me start frequent them website on a daily basis now. Am really looking forward to see them play, goals galore. I see no reason why they can't make the same jump as Houston Dynamo did last season, from bottom of table to play-offs.
Can't believe there's Yardies here still doubting this man's ability and superb talent. How much more can the man do to prove himself? Draw blood? Cut off him fingers? I swear Akron, even though they are in a weak conference, played just about every big team in college during Mattocks 2 year goal scoring spree. Remember that the vast majority of top players in the MLS were NCAA players prior too. Yes, MLS is big man league but why wouldn't he adapt to it, the same way he did as a kid from the gaza playing in cold conditions and in a foriegn country. I bet when he wins rookie of the season and make a move to Europe in his second pro season, he will still have haters. Membah I been telling u folks bout this youth from time. He will be one of the biggest balla out of Jamaica, since his agent Damani.
Most of them on here just a beat them gums. America college system whether it be in Soccer, Basketball, Football, MLB et al, is base on scouting. Majority of Them megastars in the NBA and NFL got their mega-million dollars contracts base on their performances in College and High Schools. Darren Mattocks is the biggest balla (as you say) come out of Jamaica in ages..this kid in my view will be even bigger than Damani Ralph. The haters will also be around though, so them can stock up on them haterade. This kid, gonna be big, most soccer people in America already know bout him, so him going to Canada will just generate more publicity for him in that market. TSN is similar to ESPN in America, so him will be saturated on both the top sports network in North America. Also, people should know that MLS games like the NBA are broadcast in Europe and Middle East regularly, because sport stations in those area have contract/broadcast rights to MLS. Memba sey most of those top teams in Europe are own by people from Middle East and Europe. I just want him to keep focus and know that many "important" eyes are on him, so maintain professionalism both on and off the field.
Registered: 03/25/01
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Mattocks off to big new challenge Published: Sunday | January 22, 2012 0 Comments Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber (right) welcomes Darren Mattocks, the number two player drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the 2012 Major League Soccer Super Draft at the Kansas City Convention Centre on Thursday, January 12, in the United States.- AP
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber (right) welcomes Darren Mattocks, the number two player drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the 2012 Major League Soccer Super Draft at the Kansas City Convention Centre on Thursday, January 12, in the United States.- AP
Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer
Former Bridgeport High Manning Cup star, Darren Mattocks, left the island yesterday for a pre-season training camp with Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Vancouver Whitecaps.
The 21-year-old Mattocks, who was selected second overall by the Whitecaps in the MLS Super Draft last week, said he is ready for whatever challenge he might encounter and is looking forward to a very productive season in Canada.
"I have been away from competitive football for about a month now but I think I am in pretty good shape and so I am going there with a mindset to work very hard," said Mattocks. "I am also eagerly anticipating this new challenge in my career because it is my dream to play professional football," he said.
Mattocks, who signed a lucrative three-year endorsement contract with the MLS prior to being drafted, said he does not know much about the Whitecaps' organisation and its players, but he has been in constant dialogue with the team's coaches.
optimistic
"I am going to go there to work very hard and to build a good chemistry with my teammates and also to score a lot of goals this season for the Whitecaps," said Mattocks, who scored 39 goals in 47 career matches for collegiate powerhouse University of Akron in the state of Ohio.
Mattocks, who led Akron to the NCCA National Division One Championships in 2010, also helped Bridgeport to win Manning Cup title in 2006.
"I am a winner because everywhere I go I have been winning trophies and hopefully I can help Vancouver to win the MLS," Mattocks said.
He also stated that one of his main goals in the MLS next season is to break fellow countryman Damani Ralph's rookie-year goalscoring record.
"I think I am good enough to become the rookie of the year and I also want to break the MLS rookie goalscoring record of 11 goals, which is presently held by my good friend Damani Ralph," he said.
Mattocks, who was called up for the first time to the senior Reggae Boyz team for a four-day training camp last month, added that he hopes to be a part of the national set-up for the World Cup qualifiers later this year.
"It is my dream to play for my country at the highest level and especially since this year is a World Cup qualifying year.
"I just hope that the coaching staff will recognise my hard work and give me a call-up," Mattocks said.
Love the vibes/focus from the youth. Whitecaps training camp starts today in Canada, then they will be going to Arizona, USA next week for a 2 weeks camp. They will be taking part in the Disney Classic in February that will be in Orlando, USA. This team can at least make the play-offs this year. Once you in the play-offs anything can happen from there.
Week one of preseason finish at Vancouver Whitecaps. The team optimistic and looking sharp. Darren Mattocks doing good. Overall team members are confidence and looking to gain a play-off spot this season. Whitecaps will head to Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday (Jan 31, 2012) for a 2 weeks camp and practice matches. Look out for Vancouver Whitecaps this season folks, time for them to do the beating. Massive turnaround from last season.
BTW: Whitecaps have a radio show them broadcast everyday 3:00 pm PT/6:00 pm ET. The days that I don't listen live, I check the archive. Of note Vancouver is on the same time zone (Pacific Time)as Los Angeles, Portland el al.
Union trade All-Star Le Toux to Vancouver for allocation
His addition adds even more firepower to a crowded Whitecaps frontline that already features Eric Hassli, Camilo Sanvezzo, Omar Salgado, No. 2 overall SuperDraft selection Darren Mattocks and the anticipated signing of Maltese center forward Etienne Barbara.
"Sébastien is a proven goal scorer and playmaker in Major League Soccer,” Vancouver head coach Martin Rennie said in a team statement. “He is a durable, fit and speedy attacker, who is capable of playing either up front or wide in midfield. We’re delighted to bring Sébastien back to the Pacific Northwest.
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Vancouver current frontline, they must have a trade lined up:
Vancouver Whitecaps Strikers: Davide Chiumiento (Age 27) 5' 8" 150 Switzerland Forward, Midfielder Atiba Harris (Age 27) 6' 3" 185 St. Kitts and Nevis Forward, Midfielder Eric Hassli (Age 30) 6' 4" 200 France Forward Mustapha Jarju 25 6' 160 Gambia Forward Omar Salgado (Age 18) 6' 4" 170 United States/Mexico/Spain Forward Camilo Sanvezzo (Age 23) 5' 7" 155 Brazil Forward Long Tan (Age 23) 6' 1" 170 China Forward Darren Mattocks (Age 21) 6' 155 Jamaica Forward Etienne Barbara (Age 29) 6' 1" Malta Forward Sebastien Le Toux (Age 28) 6' France Forward
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The ‘Caps, who sent allocation money to Philadelphia in exchange for Sebastien Le Toux, look to be locked in a logjam of myriad frontline talents: Camilo, Le Toux, Eric Hassli, Omar Salgado, Lee Nguyen, Long Tan, Atiba Harris, and rookie Darren Maddocks, selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the SuperDraft last month. Camilo and Hassli combined for 22 goals last year, but as a team the ‘Caps managed just 35.
Camilo and Nguyen, as well as Davide Chiumiento, can also play in midfield, and they may have to, given the competition for spots up front. Le Toux, who today flew to Arizona to join his new teammates, is first choice to partner Hassli up front. “I think Eric's best quality is to play with his back to goal,” Vancouver coach Martin Rennie said to The Province newspaper. “Sebastien's best quality is making runs off the ball.
“We're really pleased to have added him to our group. In the last two years, he's been one of the top scorers, but more than that, he brings a great work ethic and he's a great team guy.”
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Mattocks is in a good situation at Vancouver. He has enough competition in practice to push him daily and he does not have the heavy burden of being the sole goalscorer as a rookie professional.
Registered: 10/21/99
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yeah but you have at least 3 good forward and if they hit form it may mean extended bench time. I hope he gets playing time. There are a few teams who only have 2 or 3 decent forward that would gurantee him more time on the pitch in the initial few games.
Let us see how he does in the preseason and how the coach treat him in the begining of the MLS season.
High marks! - Mattocks impresses head coach at Vancouver
BY PAUL BURROWES Observer writer
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
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WITH the Major League Soccer (MLS) set to begin early next month, Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie has given high marks to new kid on the block Darren Mattocks, the number two pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
"Mattocks has settled in really well with the team. I've been very impressed with his attitude and his ability. He's extremely athletic with good movement on and off the ball, and is always looking to get in on goal. I'm quite pleased with how he's done so far," Rennie told the Observer.
The 21-year-old Mattocks will be brought into the attack for the Whitecaps, boosting the strike force of regulars Brazilian Camilo and Frenchman Eric Hassli, who scored 11 and eight goals, respectively, last season.
The Whitecaps had the worst attack and most defeats of the 18 teams in the MLS last season and Rennie will look to the goal instincts of Jamaican forward Mattocks to improve the fortunes of the Canadian team for the new season.
An option would be to use the former Waterhouse player as an offensive midfielder, since he would be hard put to replace the Brazilian and Frenchman.
"From what I've seen of Darren so far, he certainly appears to be more of an attacker. He also offers something a little different than our other strikers in his ability to really stretch teams' defences.
"That's a valuable skill, whether it's from the start of the game, or further into the match. I think he'll have the opportunity to make some important contributions this season," Rennie asserted.
He is also not too concerned with the cultural diversity of the Whitecaps, with 93 per cent of the team being foreign nationals. He thinks Mattocks will fit in well.
"Darren has been in the US for two years and he has adjusted well to what it is like in Akron. From what I have seen, I think he is really enjoying Vancouver so far. He is real friendly, open, and familiar with North America culture," Rennie noted.
And is Mattocks coping with the cool temperatures in Vancouver?
"I think he is happy that it's a lot warmer than Akron!" Rennie revealed.
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Scot is recommending young Jamaicans to follow in the footsteps of Mattocks if they want to play in the MLS and beyond, though there are other options.
"I think the route that Darren took proved to be very successful. He came over to play in US college, which gave him an opportunity to show how good he is.
"He created a lot of interest by scoring so many goals and being such an exciting player. As a result, he's earned an excellent contract to play professional in Major League Soccer.
"Similar things have happened for other players in the past. Omar Cummings attended college in the US and now he is doing very well in MLS.
"The other way would be to play in one of the lower leagues and if you do well, I think MLS clubs will give young players a chance to move up," he said.
Noticed that Andrew Vanzie(Portmore) still in Seattle Sounders pre-season squad. Best of luck to him. Did not see O'Brian White's name, however. Looks like he has not yet fully recovered from medical condition.
Actually Vanzie only recently got let go. There maybe some interest remaining as Sigi Schmid did allude to re-inviting a couple of the younger trialists as was the case last year for young Trinidadian Cordell Cato. Cato is now a part of the Sounders 29 man roster.
