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August 1, 2016 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps will kick off their 2016 CONCACAF Champions campaign with a match against Trinidad and Tobago club Central F.C. on Tuesday night at Ato Boldon Stadium just outside the city of Couva. Vancouver and Central F.C. are also joined in Group C by Sporting Kansas City. Each team will play a home and away leg against the other two teams in the group. The team that tops the group will advance to the quarterfinals to be played in February of next year.
Carl Robinson's Whitecaps were drawn into a tough group last year with the Seattle Sounders and Honduras club, C.D. Olimpia. Vancouver finished with a 1-2-1 record and did not advance further. This time around goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi is hoping the Caps have learned from those experiences.
"Yeah, I think last year we were a little bit disappointed," said Tornaghi. "When the groups came out, it was really a very very hard group. Now we have the chance to have a little bit of a better group. With the first game down in Trinidad, we have to get three points. We saw that it's most important to win games, and not ties like last year. We have to get the three points."
David Ousted has started 104 consecutive MLS matches for the Whitecaps since his debut on August 3, 2013. It's been challenging for Tornaghi to earn minutes in the Amway Canadian Cup, and subsequent CONCACAF Champions League matches. Through his three seasons with Vancouver, the Milan native has taken on a calm approach. Some players might be in the gaffer's office every other week asking for playing time. Tornaghi is a cool customer who is instead focusing on what he is able to do.
"Well this is my way of doing (things)," revealed Tornaghi. "Goalkeeping is different, everyone has his own style, but I think when I go on the field, I'm more focused on what I can do saving the ball, instead of other stuff. I'm more focused on what I can really do when saving the ball."
Goalkeeping Coach, Marius Røvde has been a tremendous help to Tornaghi day in and day out. Working on your craft, and technique is the best way to stay sharp when the time comes to enter the pitch. Every shot-stopper is different and Røvde is able to recognize that and help Tornaghi, David Ousted, and Marco Carducci. Having a coach as easy-going as Røvde means that Tornaghi always has someone in his corner.
"He's good, he's a very good coach," said Tornaghi. "The thing I like the most, is he's very open and we can discuss a lot of situations, mistakes, and also training styles. Every goalie is different, David (Ousted) has his own needs and I have other needs. It's good to have a coach that you can talk with him."
Vancouver will likely roll out a young roster against Central F.C. - This match comes during a lengthy road trip that also featured a 0-0 draw in Houston, and a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas on Sunday. Following the match in Trinidad and Tobago, the Whitecaps will get together in Houston and re-group before tackling the high altitude in a match against the defensive minded Colorado Rapids on Saturday, August 6.
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