They have their sa国际传媒 West season, their Florida trip and even their annual Keg Cup spring tournament, but there鈥檚 always one particular game members of the University of Victoria Vikes men鈥檚 soccer team have circled on their calendars.
Because everyone wants to measure up against a Major League Soccer team.
So when the Vancouver Whitecaps come jogging out onto the Centennial Stadium grass today for what has become their annual visit to UVic, the Vikes will be more than ready.
鈥淭his one is exciting for us. We really prepare for this one,鈥� said Vikes midfielder Cam Hundal, who鈥檒l be facing the Whitecaps for the second time, having impressed in a 2-1 loss to the MLS side last season.
Hundal, in particular, knows what the Vikes will be up against when the Whitecaps, who are on a bye week having started the MLS season with two victories in as many games, hit the pitch. The Terrace native came through the Whitecaps Residency program and trains with several of the younger Whitecaps in the summer.
鈥淚 know most of them, but I try not to focus on that during the game,鈥� said Hundal, who led the Vikes to the CIS national championship in 2011 at Centennial Stadium. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard, because it鈥檚 in the back of your head, but I just try to focus on my game. It should be fun though.
鈥淲e have to expect to not have as much possession, because these are professionals you鈥檙e up against, but one thing we can do is match their work rate, and when you do that, you鈥檙e usually OK.鈥�
While the Whitecaps will be keeping many of their starting 11 home in Vancouver, head coach Martin Rennie is bringing up-and-comers such as Jordan Harvey, Russell Teibert, Caleb Clarke, Paulo Junior and goalkeeper and Victoria product Simon Thomas.
鈥淲ith a break from MLS action this weekend, this match will be a good opportunity to continue momentum early in our season,鈥� Rennie said in a statement. 鈥淭he Vikes provided a very competitive match for our squad last year, so we expect another entertaining match.鈥�
Vikes head coach Bruce Wilson says this game is special not only for his team but also for the entire Victoria soccer community. And he owes it all to his good friend, Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi.
鈥淚 played with Bobby [on the NASL Whitecaps] from 1974 to 鈥�77 and he鈥檚 always said he would come over and help out the club in terms of raising funds for scholarships and things, and he鈥檚 living up to his word,鈥� Wilson said.
鈥淣ot only does this game help our program, but it鈥檚 a treat for soccer fans on the Island. They get a chance to see some of the Whitecaps without having to pay for a ferry or a hotel, so everyone wins.鈥�
He knows his club, which finished the sa国际传媒 West season 6-6-2, will have to be at its best. And they appear to be close to that level. The Vikes are coming off their annual Florida trip, where they came away with victories over Florida Atlantic University and Barry University and a 2-1 loss to Nova.
鈥淭he players are excited to play a pro team and will be prepared. And it鈥檚 a good lead into our Keg Cup the following weekend.鈥�
Kickoff today is 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $7 for youth 7 to 14 years of age.
FREE KICKS: The Vikes men will be joined in their Keg Cup tournament March 23 and 24 by UBC, Trinity Western and Fraser Valley. The Vikes women鈥檚 team will go up against UBC, Trinity Western and the Alberta Pandas.
