VANCOUVER, B.C. - The English are coming, no it's not a revolt following a controversial Brexit vote last month, but a Vancouver International Soccer Challenge featuring Crystal Palace FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The match will kickoff tonight at BC Place and Palace Manager Alan Pardew already has his sights locked in on Whitecaps midfielder Alphonso Davies who made his MLS debut on Saturday.
"I've noted that Carl's going to play a 15 year-old?" said Pardew.
"Stay away", echoed protective Manager Carl Robinson.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him tomorrow," admitted Pardew. "I think he's probably going to be hidden somewhere, hopefully he'll emerge."
Major League Soccer has gone through massive growth since the Whitecaps joined the league in 2011. Coincidently that was the last time Vancouver hosted an international friendly with Manchester City visiting a soggy Empire Field. A lot has changed since then and MLS is now becoming a destination for players from England and Europe who may have previously laughed off the possibility of playing here.
Pardew knows the importance MLS carries in North America and the growing fan support, media, and football culture that continues to develop. While he won't be enjoying a delicious breakfast fry-up on the touch-line, he does manage keep tabs on the latest happenings in MLS when he's back home in London.
"The MLS is broadcast by Sky Television and the highlights are every morning, we get every morning for our breakfast the highlights of all the games. We have a close interest in it and it's great to see it growing. I think they're doing it the right way by bringing big ex-stars here to feed into the teams and into the younger players what dedication it takes to be a professional footballer."
Speaking of professional footballers, Whitecaps centre-back David Edgar is expected to make his debut for Vancouver after signing with the club on July 11. He couldn't be more excited to get a run out.
"Yeah, I'm obviously buzzing, Saturday came a bit too soon for me in terms of fitness, they didn't want to risk me. I'm really excited to get things underway."
During his travels up and down England with Burnley, Birmingham City, and most recently a loan spell with Sheffield United, has the Canadian international crossed paths with Crystal Palace once or twice?
"I have a few times, yeah. It's a tough place to go, Crystal Palace. They're renowned for their fans and the support at home. I've played them there and I've played them at home with Burnley as well. I don't think I played in the Premier League against them, I played them in the Championship, definitely, a couple of times."
One player who is uncertain to see any action is Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur. A knee problem picked up against FC Cincinnati could sideline him for the next couple of days. It's not a serious niggle, but something to tend to at the minute so it doesn't linger. McArthur has been on previous pre-season tours to visit America, Austria, and Sweden and spoke about the players mindset.
"You want to get minutes, in football you're not really thinking about getting hurt, it's the wrong approach. All the boys want to get as much minutes as possible and obviously keep winning football matches."
The 28 year-old admits that he isn't quite familiar with the Vancouver Whitecaps and everything all Major League Soccer. He does however have a connection with a recent addition to the Caps roster.
"I know the boy David Edgar, but I don't really speak to him much, to be honest."
Clearly the two are not bezzie-mates, but Edgar does recall some good times with McArthur, and Brian Easton from back in the day. Perhaps in the Northern Quarter district, he was not willing to divulge.
"James McArthur is good friends with probably one of my best friends (Brian Easton) that I played with at Burnley and we all lived in Manchester at one point or another. It's good, yes, I know James from Manchester."
Like David Edgar, Fraser Aird also has six degrees of separation with the popular James McArthur. The Canadian full-back is on loan from Rangers and has a bit of familiarity with a few of the Palace lads. Having an opportunity to play on the same pitch with Premier League players appeals to Aird.
"Yeah I know a few of them," said Aird. "I'm a big football fan, I watch the English Premier League all the time. Actually one of the boys has the same agent as me, James McArthur that plays at Crystal Palace. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play against him, obviously a good Scottish boy, he plays on the national team for Scotland. A very good player, but they a have plenty of big names in the squad and I'm sure it'll be a great experience for the whole team."
It's been two months since Fraser Aird last saw MLS minutes. The 21 year-old has been dealing with a nagging knee injury that won't go away. At the time of this announced fixture, Aird was chuffed at the prospects of taking on Premier League opposition. This match is a special occasion for Vancouver as players will get a chance to test themselves vs a high calibre team and 2016 FA Cup finalist.
"Obviously when I found out the news I was obviously excited," admitted Aird. "Getting the chance to play against Premier League opposition is fantastic for this club. It'll show the boys and the club obviously, where we want to be (with) some players aspiring to go play in England and the standard that they need to set if they want to get the opportunity to do that. They have plenty of internationals in their team that have been in the Premier League for a while that have played at a good level, it'll be a great test for us. The chance to play against a Premier League team, it's an exciting time for Vancouver."
It's always a special match when a club from the English Premier League makes the trek to North America to take on an MLS team. Supporters from both sides get excited and you can feel an energetic buzz that you don't see during the long fixture campaign.
The Eagles previously played the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati last week and brought joy to fans across the United States and other points of interest. It's all about growing the beautiful game, earning minutes, and making connections. McArthur has been pleasantly surprised by all the warm support.
"It's amazing, each city we've been to, it's been very impressive. I've done one of the meet and greats before the match and it was really refreshing meeting people from different countries supporting Palace."
Notes: Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha has returned to England to get married and will not play vs Whitecaps FC. He is also recovering from an ankle injury picked up vs FC Cincinnati.
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