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February 26, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps shook up the MLS transfer window with a massive blockbuster trade on Saturday night. Vancouver acquired midfielder, Brek Shea from Orlando City Soccer Club for striker, Giles Barnes. The Caps were thought to be looking to move Giles Barnes to get his $756,250 off the books, and they did just that.
The acquisition of former U.S Men's National team player Brek Shea came as a surprise to many Whitecaps fans. Carl Robinson is looking forward to working with Shea and helping him produce to his capabilities.
Assuming his international transfer papers are in order, Shea could make his Whitecaps FC debut on Thursday vs New York Red Bulls in CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg action at B.C. Place.
"I've known Brek for a number of years," said Robinson. "I followed his career when he was with Dallas and then he went over to Europe. He had a little bit of success, here, and there. He's a strong boy, we know that. He's a good size, very, very quick. I don't see him as a full-back, I see him as wide player or a forward player. My job, and my staff's job will be to try and bring out the best in him. If we can give him confidence, and he can produce on a weekly basis, he should be knocking on Bruce Arena's national team door to try and get back in on a regular basis."
Shea, who turns 27 years-old on Tuesday, has 149 MLS appearances with FC Dallas and Orlando. He has contributed 22 goals and 22 assists. He was a 2011 MLS MVP Award finalist. He has 34 international caps for the United States and 4 goals.
Whitecaps midfielder, Andrew Jacobson played with Shea for two seasons with FC Dallas. He remembers a player and a person who was a great teammate on and off the pitch.
"Fantastic player, fantastic person, he's a good friend, I'm excited," said Jacobson. "I think he'll fit in very well. He kind of brings a lot of what we do, when we play. He can attack, defend, very good one on one. Smart player, he's kind of everything you want in a winger."
During his two seasons with Orlando, Shea was primarily used as a left-back. He scored three goals, and often found himself in and out of the lineup. A move to Vancouver should help him regain his confidence and goal-scoring prowess. In Dallas, Shea was used on the wing. Jacobson remembers he was a dangerous threat that put up a lot of goals.
"When we played, we played kind of a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 and he played on the left-wing. He cut in and scored a lot of goals. He's a great player."
Jacobson isn't the only Whitecaps player with a connection to Brek Shea. Centre-Back, Christian Dean played against Shea at a youth level and Shea was a force back then.
"I know him from national camp," revealed Dean. "I played against him one time, growing up. He just absolutely dominated that. I was maybe fourteen or fifteen. He just messed us pretty bad."
Fans, pundits, and casual observers will be hoping Shea messes up the opposition once the MLS season gets going next week. Shea's time in MLS, England, and with the U.S. should help him succeed in Vancouver. Sometimes all it takes for a player is a change of scenery.
"He's a really nice guy, he's a funny guy," said Dean. "He's an experienced player, he's been in the league for a long time. Overseas as well, and with the national team. I'm just looking forward to playing with him."
Bringing in any player always comes with a risk. You have to wonder why Orlando was keen to transfer Brek Shea. A quick internet search will find you some interesting photographs of the newly acquired Cap. Carl Robinson is hoping Shea has a new approach.
"I think young players all over the world in any sport are challenged when they get things given to them at an early age. I think when you become a father, and you have a family it makes you appreciate different things in life. Until you've experienced that, you can tell the young players what it's like, but they never really grasp it, and get it. I certainly know, that's happened with Brek. Sometimes you've got to learn the hard way, sometimes you've got to learn bad things before you come out the other side."
In this social media world, everyone likes to share activities they enjoy. As an athlete you're under the microscope, especially when your hobbies are photographed online. Shea is no doubt a straight shooter that enjoys life, his family, football, and hobbies.
"He's a Texas kid, so the guns aren't surprising," said Jacobson." Fantastic artist, he's a got a very creative mind, and he's really good at it."
If Brek Shea can come to Vancouver score goals, pile up assists, lead by example on and off the pitch. Vancouver fans won't care about his photographs, art work, or hobbies. This is an opportunity for Shea to start a new and help out a Vancouver team needing offence.
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