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Parents glued to TV as Richmond's Patrick Metcalfe makes first MLS start for Whitecaps

As they watched on TV, Patrick Metcalfe’s dad kicked every ball from their Steveston living room while his mom closed her eyes because she was so nervous.
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As they watched on TV, Patrick Metcalfe’s dad kicked every ball from their Steveston living room while his mom closed her eyes because she was so nervous.

Suffice to say, Metcalfe’s parents were absolutely thrilled with their son’s first ever MLS start for their beloved Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday, where the Richmond product played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Toronto (TFC).

The 21-year-old got signed to the first team roster from the ‘Caps academy in January and more than held his own in midfield for the majority of the game against the more experienced and accomplished TFC.

And although it wasn’t the result Metcalfe and the Whitecaps were looking for, his dad, Robert, was over the moon to see his son achieve the milestone.

“We spoke to him after the game. He was quite thrilled to be starting and playing the full 90,” Robert told the Richmond News.

“TFC is one of the best teams in the MLS and he was right in there dealing with these guys. He did well considering the level of intensity.”

Robert said they knew ahead of time that Patrick would get his first start, but that it was “easier to watch on TV than in person.”

“He’s also only the ninth (Whitecaps) academy graduate to ever get a start, it’s quite rare.

“We’re very happy about that, it’s not easy to achieve.”

Patrick, himself, told WhitecapsFC.com that Friday’s first ever MLS start was a “long time coming” after several years of hard work.

“I’ve believed in myself and have never given up getting a first team start,” he added.

Asked who he would thank the most for helping get there, Patrick said it was hard to pinpoint any one member of staff, but noted that plenty of the veterans in the operation had told him to “take the opportunities when they come as they don’t come around too often.”

Patrick and the Whitecaps move on to Montreal on Tuesday to face the Impact.