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January 24, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Vancouver Whitecaps trained at UBC on Monday before departing to Wales to begin a rigorous preseason campaign across the pond. Carl Robinson's lads will play Cardiff City FC , Oxford United FC, and Bristol City FC, before returning to Vancouver on February 3.
Giles Barnes was one player who was a noticeable surprise on the first day of camp. The silly season has had the 28 year-old striker heavily linked with an offseason transfer to SkyBet Championship side, Blackburn Rovers. Barnes for now, remains a Whitecap.
"(Laughs) There was a lot of talk in the offseason," said Barnes. "It is, what it is. I'm very happy to be here. For me, it's a winning situation."
The UK transfer deadline day strikes on Tuesday, January 31 at 23:00 GMT. Should Vancouver fans be monitoring any news about Barnes departing for Owen Coyle's Blackburn side?
"You have to ask Greg (Anderson), and you have to ask Robbo those kind of questions, not me," said a coy Barnes.
If Barnes does remain in Vancouver, he will look to build on his brace in the Whitecaps season finale vs Portland. Barnes took time to adjust to his mid-season trade to Vancouver last season. If he can stay healthy, receive service in the box, and start off where he finished the 2016 season, he will be a strong asset for the goal-starved Whitecaps.
The Barking, London lad, is chuffed to have former Houston Dynamo teammate, Sheanon Williams in the Whitecaps fold. Williams is expected to be Vancouver's durable starting right-back for 2017. Barnes has already taken Williams under his wing, in his new city.
"He's a good friend of mine," said Barnes. "A great guy to have in the locker room, a fantastic person. He's a great player as well, very solid. Very steady, good on the ball. Very athletic, so it's a great pick up for us."
Prior to his two seasons in Houston, Williams spent a solid six seasons with the Philadelphia Union where he was teammates with current Whitecaps, Jordan Harvey, and Andrew Jacobson. Having familiar faces in a new environment has helped him acclimate.
"They've made it really easy," said Williams. "I've gone out to dinner with Giles, almost every night. Having guys like AJ, and Jordan who I knew in Philadelphia, was definitely a huge help when your making a big transition up from the (United) States to Canada."
The Boston native, wasn't totally shocked by the December 13 trade to Vancouver. Carl Robinson needed to make a quality offseason upgrade at right-back, and Williams was available. Shipping up to Vancouver was on the table, and Williams had a notion.
"I had a little bit of an inkling," admitted Williams. "Definitely you never want to think something is set in stone, until it's actually done. It was nice after a while to get things done, and sorted."
The 26 year-old was born on St. Patrick's Day. He went to school in Dorchester, Massachusetts, with New England Patriots Coach, Bill Belichick's children. Williams is an MLS veteran with 177 caps, 7 goals, and 22 assists. He can get up and down the pitch, play solid defense, and contribute with offense. He also has a wicked delivery on throw-ins.
"I'm someone that likes to work hard," said Williams. "I've been in the league now, this is going to be my eighth year. I know the league well, I know what to expect. I'm excited to get to meet the fans, get into the stadium, and get games under my belt."
Vancouver Whitecaps Assistant Coach, Martyn Pert, will be glad to see Williams in a Vancouver kit. Too often enough, Williams was helping the opposition succeed when he came into BC Place. Pert acknowledges that Williams fits the bill at right-back.
"He's a good solid player in this league," revealed Pert. "He's done particularly well against us in the games that we've played against him. We see a very reliable right-back, and that's something that we looked at in the offseason, and I think he's one of those players in the league that can fill in that position, and do really well."
While Giles Barnes settles in to what should be his first full season in Vancouver, his mate, Sheanon Williams, is just getting his feet wet on the west coast. Having Barnes in Vancouver, and not Blackburn will allow both players a chance to help the Whitecaps leap forward.
Notes: Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that the club has acquired attacking midfielder, Yordy Reyna from Austrian Bundesliga club FC Red Bull Salzburg. Reyna, 23, was acquired with the use of (TAM) and has agreed to an MLS contract through 2018, with club options for 2019 and 2020. He will occupy an international roster spot.
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