Pacific FC training camp will leave a large cleat print, from Tofino to the Dominican Republic.
The Tofino portion, mostly off-field from Thursday to Sunday, will consist of fitness training and trail and beach running. The Canadian Premier League club will also conduct soccer camps for youth players while in Tofino.
All seven CPL teams will head to the Dominican Republic from April 4 to 12 for training and exhibitions against each other and also Caribbean club teams.
“We are fortunate to have good weather but most teams in our league are from cities which might still be snowed in, so the time in the Dominican gives every team an opportunity to train in good weather, and play each other and CONCACAF club teams in exhibitions,” said Pacific FC CEO and GM Rob Friend.
Pacific FC training camp opened Monday with medical and fitness testing. When in Greater Victoria, the club’s training fields will include PISE, Westhills Stadium and Goudy Field.
Pacific FC has 12 players under contract, including 27-time Canada-capped former Scottish Premiership player Marcus Haber and 56-time Canada capped former MLS and Bundesliga pro Marcel de Jong.
“The younger players are going to look up to those two guys because they have played at the highest levels and have seen it all,” said Friend, the former Bundesliga pro and 32-time capped Canadian international.
“Our young players are looking to move on, too.”
There will be more than 12 players on the training pitch this week.
“There will be four or five more player signings announced this week. And there are some MLS players being waived who we’re talking to,” said Friend.
“We will keep an intimate roster of 20 to 22 players. We’re happy with how our locker-room is shaping up.”
Pacific FC is among seven founding franchises in the CPL, which is the realization of the long-held Canadian soccer dream of a domestic pro league.
Pacific FC’s first game, April 28 against the HFX Wanderers of Halifax at Westhills Stadium in Langford, will constitute the third-longest trip in the world between domestic pro league Premiership soccer clubs.
The CPL also announced Monday that Nike will be the official footwear and equipment supplier for the league.
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
