No super-sub? No problem. Just replace him with another.
Wes Barrett has dramatically come off the bench late in the first two Victoria Highlanders games this season to help the United Soccer League Premier Development League club salvage points. He scored the tying 2-2 goal in the opening 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps Under-23 and set up with a through ball Blair Sturrock’s equallizer in the 1-1 tie against the Kitsap Pumas.
Barrett will miss this weekend’s PDL tilts — today at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver against Whitecaps U-23 and Saturday night at Royal Athletic Park against Washington Crossfire.
But expected back, for the first time since tearing a tendon last July, is the ever-dangerous striker Jordie Hughes.
Barrett, who had a CIS-championship career with the University of Victoria Vikes, is special programs co-ordinator for the Highlanders and will be busy with all the organization’s youth teams all playing this weekend on the Lower Mainland before attending the Whitecaps-Sounders MLS game at B.C. Place Stadium.
“It’s obviously upsetting that I can't be playing, but that’s my job [with the Highlanders youth program],” said Barrett, who also coached St. Michaels University School to the Colonist Cup this high school season.
“I told [Highlanders PDL head coach Steve Simonson] that I would play whatever role he needs me to play.”
Simonson, however, will have to rely on others off the bench this weekend.
“We’ll miss the the folklore-like storyline Wes has been creating for himself this season,” said Simonson.
“But the Highlanders organization is more than the PDL team and we support that [Barrett’s role with the youth academy].”
The return of former NCAA player Hughes, expected for the home game Saturday against the Crossfire, will certainly help.
“His quality is still there. He won’t start but is a possible sub for Saturday.”
Hughes was the 2012-13 Vancouver Island Soccer League leading scorer before the injury suffered last year with the Highlanders kept him out for most of the last VISL season. The opportunistic Hughes, who has that striker’s smell for the ball in the box, had nine goals in 12 games for the Highlanders in 2013 before being injured and missing the playoff run to the Northwest Division and Western Conference championships en route to the PDL Final Four in Austin, Texas.
“I feel OK but a little nervous . . . it’s been a long time since last July,” said Hughes, who in the meantime welcomed baby daughter London into the world.
“But once into the game, that will be gone. [Re-injuring the tear] is always in the back of mind. But instincts just take over and that will be gone, too. I’ll know once in the game if I can shoot.”
CORNER KICKS: Former UK pro Sturrock and full-back Andrew Ravenhill, who starred with Barrett on the UVic Vikes, were named as honourable mentions to the PDL team of the week . . . Injured former overseas pro Manny Gomez said he expects to make his Highlanders debut at home June 7 against Portland Timbers U-23 … The Peninsula Co-op Highlanders added NCAA players Rebecca Sparkman, Lesley Chilton and Mia Gunter ahead of their Pacific Coast Soccer League women’s opener Sunday against the Vancouver Whitecaps at SFU. The home opener is a family affair May 31 at Hampton Park against the Mid-Island Highlanders.
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