USL Feature
Thursday, March 1, 2012
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Signing a first professional contract is always a big moment in a player’s career. For the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Bryce Alderson, it’s one he hopes he’ll never forget.
“It’s fantastic,” Alderson said. “My mom has the photo posted somewhere in the house, but it really is a special day, one that I hope I’ll never forget. I don’t think I will.”
The 18-year-old became the fourth member of the Whitecap Residency program to sign professionally with the club earlier this year, and is now wrapping up his first full MLS training camp as the Whitecaps compete at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic this week. And while there’s a lot to take in for the central midfielder, he believes the experience he gained playing in the PDL this past summer gave him a bridge between the youth ranks and the level he’ll see in Major League Soccer this year.
“I think it’s good, the PDL is a good level,” he said. “It’s definitely a step up from the youth game in terms of most of the teams there are men’s teams, and there are a few, I think, that are pushing to try and become professional clubs, so for me that was a great test to be able to step up from the kid’s game into the men’s game and get an introduction to that.”
Making the jump was always going to be Alderson’s future. Named the Canadian U-17 Player of the Year each of the past two years, and having captained his country at last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup, Alderson is no stranger to the spotlight, and it shows. Coming on at halftime on Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City, he shows good touch on the ball, the ability to think quickly and good positional sense defensively.
While that’s the case, Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie still expects there will be a learning curve as Alderson acclimatizes to the rigors of professionalism.
“I think just the physicality of it, and the speed of play, those will be the big things,” Rennie said, “and then just day-in and day-out competing, because obviously he’s got the ability where maybe at the youth level he doesn’t have to turn up and give 100 percent every day, but at the professional level he will have to do that.”
Rennie himself is a former PDL coach, leading the Cascade Surge to success in the 2005 season before he began his ascent up the North American coaching ranks. Having that experience, Rennie appreciates what the league offers players like Alderson as they continue their progress toward the professional ranks.
“I think so, the PDL, I’ve got a lot of time for it,” Rennie said. “I think it’s a great breeding ground for players, it’s a great opportunity for them to grow and become strong, so yeah, I think it’s a good place for him to play, for sure.”
Alderson certainly enjoyed his time in the PDL, as he did playing in the CSA’s system throughout his youth career, which he is full of praise for. But when the Whitecaps called last year, aiming to bring him into their Academy, making the move from Kitchener, Ontario to the west coast became an obvious decision.
“I think one of the first things that went through my mind was, how am I going to leave home, how am I going to switch schools, all those types of things,” Alderson said. “But then when I thought about it, talked about it with my family, talked to a lot of members of the club, it was clear that they were very serious about it and running a great program, and it became clear to me that was going to be the best fit for me.”
Now Alderson will get the chance to continue to develop in the professional ranks. Having played in a pair of reserve games for the Whitecaps last year, there might be a chance for the youngster to see his first MLS playing time this season. Alderson, however, won’t set any expectations for himself outside of that which he can control.
“I think it’s difficult for me, myself, to determine what I expect to do and whatnot, but so far the staff have been fantastic to help communicate with me,” Alderson said. “They kind of keep an eye out for me and help communicate with me what they expect and what they want me to do, but in terms of expectations for myself, I’m just trying to work hard every day in training and learn and continue to develop.”
But if the opportunity arises, he’ll certainly be up for the challenge.
“Of course, I’d love to have as big an impact as possible,” he said. “It’s whenever I get a chance, can I make an impact. Hopefully I’ll have a good year.”