Four Richmond players are part of the expanded Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Program which begins play in the United States Development Academy (USSDA) this weekend.
Last week, approximately 80 of the top youth players from across B.C. and Canada arrived in Vancouver to join one of the most integrated soccer development programs in North America. Aspiring players can now enter the Whitecaps FC club system full-time as early as age 11, and be nurtured in an age appropriate learning environment, with gradual steps that will help them attain a successful professional and national team career.
Earning spots in the program are Alex Cosima (1996), along with returning U18 residency players Caleb Clarke (1993), Carlos Marquez (1994) and Declan Rodriguez (1993).
As part of the expansion, Whitecaps FC have become the first and only Canadian club to join the USSDA - America's premier youth academy system - and will field a team in both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 leagues.
The Whitecaps FC Residency program begins with the U14 Pre-Academy group, featuring players U-13 to U-15 separated into two squads; a senior and junior team for a total player pool of 36.
Players train in the evenings and attend their local schools. Exhibition matches are scheduled within the Pacific Northwest region against elite club teams, MLS academies, and other USSDA Pre-Academy teams.
From the U-14 group, players graduate into the U-16 and U-18 program and play matches in their respective USSDA leagues. These teams feature 18 to 20 players per squad that train and attend Burnaby Central Secondary
The U16 Residency group alone features nine players from Alberta, two from Manitoba and one from Ontario.
The USSDA season kicks off Saturday as Whitecaps FC open against Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, WA.
Successful Residency graduates enter the first-team development environment that includes training with the Major League Soccer (MLS) squad and competitive opportunities in both United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League and MLS Reserve League games.
Meanwhile, Richmond native and former Whitecap Chris Franks has been hired as the program's head therapist.
A graduate of UBC, Franks brings a wealth of physiotherapy experience to the Residency program, having a close working relationship with Whitecaps FC's Major League Soccer physiotherapist consultant Rick Celebrini that goes back to their days as teammates with Vancouver 86ers.
Franks and his staff will work together with the club's MLS sports science staff to deliver one of the most comprehensive overall club physiotherapy programs in North America.
Franks scored 11 goals and added 10 assists in 200 matches with Whitecaps from 1994 to 2005.
"I'm very excited to return to my hometown club," said Franks. "I greatly enjoyed my past time playing and working for Whitecaps FC, and I look forward to helping the club's Residency program continue to grow into one of the finest in North America."
