Monday, September 5, 2011

Trialists Brought In For Caps Reserve Match

The Whitecaps face the San Jose Earthquakes in reserve league action at Swangard Stadium and there will be a number of new faces on the game day roster.  After the release of Wesley Knight, the team has three roster spots open including two for international players.  With the Sounders clinching the reserve title, the Caps will most likely use the remaining four games to test new players and their potential worth to the club’s future.  Here is a little information on each of them.

Massiah Wassey- The German born Canadian international midfielder arrived on trial earlier last month but was unable to play in the match against the Timbers due to an illness.  In recent years Wassey has played for the reserve teams of FC Schalke 04 and Fortuna Dusseldorf as the main playmaker in the central midfield.  He is not being brought in for his defensive play as he is noted for being an offensive threat from the middle of the pitch.  With his Canadian passport, Wassey would count as a domestic player and at 23 years old would be a solid developmental player.

Ashley Burbeary- After spending his first season in North America with the Victoria Highlanders of the PDL, the Caps have brought in Burbeary on trial for one of the international spots.  The Englishman came up through the Mansfield Town youth system and has bounced around the lower leagues including a recent stint with Frickley Athletic FC.  Similar to Wassey, Burbeary would be considered an attacking player from the central midfields with a nose for goal.

Johnny Dunleavy- A product of the Wolverhampton youth system, Dunleavy is a defender capable of playing centrally and on the right side.  The Irish youth international, serving as captain, just recently turned twenty and looks to have the most potential of the trialists.  Duneavy is able to play centrally on the backline and is also capable of moving out to the right side to play full back  The Wolves website describes Dunleavy as skilful, a good reader of the game, and all with good pace.     He was loaned out to League 2 Barnett and made three appearences before suffering a knee injury.  There was not enough interest from Wolverhampton at the end of the season and Dunleavy was released.

Omar Elmasri- The former Chivas USA youth product is on an extended trial through December 31st as the Caps were unable to secure a full transfer from the Mexican club Tigres.  The American youth international has played both of the outer sides of the backline and fill in centrally when asked to.  While he has not signed a MLS contract, Elmarsi will be able to participate in reserve league matches and a full transfer could go through the winter opening.

Mawuena Mallett-  The least known of the trialists, Mallett is a local soccer player who has played for the Abbotsford Mariners of the PDL and is attending Quest University in Squamish, BC.  The 6’1” forward is entering his third year at the school, scoring his fair share of goals, and has helped the team to a trophy in the spring.  There is very little known on Mallett and his skills in soccer are unknown to the majority of followers of the game.  Bringing in Mallett may be a way to fill out the numbers on the roster as a majority of players have minor bumps and bruises and will be unavailable for the matches. 

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