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WHITECAPS FC RESIDENCY ADDS THREE MORE CANADIANS
July 31, 2007
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that defender Adam Straith of Victoria, BC, midfielder Ethan Gage of Cochrane, Alberta and Antonio Rago of Edmonton, Alberta have signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
“One of the goals of the residency program is to provide opportunities for the best young players across Canada.” said Thomas Niendorf, Managing Director and Head Coach, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency. “With Adam coming from Vancouver Island and both Ethan and Antonio from the Alberta market, we are establishing our program throughout Western Canada. Over the next week, we will be announcing additional signings from across Canada.”
The latest signing brings the total number of players signed to five for Whitecaps FC Residency. Devin Gunenc, and Greg Smith, both from North Vancouver, BC, were signed last June.
“Through the LISA District Development Centre and the NTC, Adam has worked hard and diligently with his Lower Island and national trainers towards his goal of playing for Canada and a professional club. A player with a faultless work ethic, he has played for his city, province, country, and now pro with the Whitecaps," added Marejka.
Gage, 16, joins Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency after three very successful years with the Calgary Villains FC Elite Youth Team. The five-foot-ten, 160-pound defender has captained the side since 2005 and was the driving force in their 2005 and 2006 provincial championships. Gage has also been a member of the Alberta NTC since 2005 and in 2006, the defender was a member of Canada’s men’s U-15 national team.
In March 2007, Gage trained overseas with a number of English youth academies including Middlesbrough FC, Reading FC, Newcastle United FC and Charlton Athletic FC. He has also trained with Hamburger SV in Germany and St. Johnstone FC in Scotland.
Rago, 16, has played for the U-17 national team since 2006. In April 2006, Rago scored the lone goal in a friendly against Northern Ireland and went on to play two matches at the Ballymena International Tournament. The five-foot-eight, 160-pound midfielder was also a member of the U-17 squad that played in Guadalajara, Mexico at the Chivas Cup in March 2007.
Rago came through the University of Alberta Green & Gold Academy with Len Vickery, University of Alberta men's soccer coach. The Whitecaps are working closely with the Green & Gold Academy as a partner program for player development in the Edmonton market.
“We are extremely excited for the opportunity that Antonio has been afforded by signing with Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency,” said Vickery. “Antonio is a product of the Edmonton Juventus Soccer Club and has been a regular participant in the University of Alberta's Green & Gold Soccer Academy, earning provincial and national team selections at the youth levels. We believe Whitecaps FC Residency is going to provide the necessary training environment and competitive exposures that will help and support his goal of playing professionally in the future.”
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