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Posted by
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December 11, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Whitecaps FC have made a huge offseason splash with the acquisition of striker Kei Kamara from the New England Revolution, on Sunday. The 10th all-time leader in MLS regular season goals scored was hoping for a new address for the 2018 season, but admitted a trade to Vancouver caught him off guard.
“It’s a bit of a surprise, definitely," said Kamara via conference call. "It was something that I have been pushing towards. To be honest, I made it public with the Revolution during the summer that I would like to forward my career elsewhere, because I didn’t feel I was the right piece for the puzzle into the system, or the play, that was happening in New England."
It is no secret that Vancouver had been long after the services of Kei Kamara. In 2016 it looked as if Kamara would join Whitecaps FC after falling out of favour with Columbus Crew SC. However, at the last-minute, New England stepped up and it was off to Foxboro. Fans, media, and curious observers weren't the only ones perplexed by the Revs coup.
"I felt that one was closer than what happened yesterday," revealed Kamara. "At Columbus, I’m thinking I’m going to end up in Vancouver, and really excited about it. The day I was getting traded to New England, I went into training knowing that I got traded. In my head, from all the Twitter craziness that was going on, I went in to training thinking, oh yeah, I got traded to Vancouver Whitecaps. They told me I was going to New England Revolution and I was like ‘oh’."
Kamara brings another dimension to the Whitecaps FC attack. Listed at 6-foot-3, he has the size and ability to fill the net off crosses, headers, set piece plays, while dominating in the box. Along with Kendall Waston, Kamara adds another dangerous threat that opposition defenders will have a tough time containing.
"I’m attracted to the system, I definitely am," Kamara said as he talked tactics. "I’ve watched Vancouver play numerous games. The atmosphere in that stadium, the ways the guys play, the speed of attack, and the crosses in the box. I’m a striker that lives off just being in the box and feeding off of that. Sometimes you just sit on the outside and you’re like ‘oh man, I wish I could be in there’. I’m really interested to join the team and hopefully that’s the same drive and system that continues with the boys, and putting balls in the box."
Kamara is a well-traveled MLS veteran, this will be his 7th stop in the league, and in doing so he will be reuniting with former teammates, Tony Tchani, and Marcel de Jong. MLS is a small close-knit league. Kamara spoke to former Whitecap players, Brad Knighton, and Gershon Koffie about their experiences in Vancouver.
The 33-year-old has often been labeled as outspoken, or a me first individual. His rift with former Crew SC teammate Frederico Higuain was well documented. Kamara wants to win, and he isn't shy about expressing his feelings when things aren't going his way.
"I let people know what I want and I let people know the person that I am," Kamara said. "It’s nothing that I hide, but that’s something that I hope teammates respect because I’m a competitor. I want to win. When I’m screaming at you, it’s not because I don’t like you, it’s because I want us all to be better. So that’s how I push myself."
Kamara is looking at his time in Vancouver as long-term. He wants to be in a winning environment. Vancouver will be a new home for him, and his family. If they end up loving Vancouver, would Kamara consider finishing his career with Whitecaps FC?
"Yeah, why not?” Kamara answered. "Maybe even get a Canadian passport. I wouldn’t be opposed to that. Yes, I was in Columbus, New England, and now going to Vancouver and definitely looking to stay, looking to win something. I’m not looking to test the waters. One year here and then move and if it doesn’t win, then try a different club. It’s about building something."
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A post shared by Kei Kamara (@2k3) on
Whitecaps FC 's and off again pursuit of Kei Kamara is over. The powerful striker that Vancouver has always coveted has landed on the west coast. Come March, it will be time for Kamara to show that he is exactly the player Vancouver so desperately needed.
"I want to be in a place that has the same drive that I do, to win MLS Cup," Kamara said.
After seeing Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders FC, and Portland Timbers FC hoist MLS Cup. Whitecaps FC fans will be hoping that Kamara can help drive Vancouver to a championship.
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