Whitecaps’ latest addition embracing Vancouver

VANCOUVER — Some blustery weather in Vancouver hasn’t dampened the arrival of the whitecaps’ latest acquisition.

Forward Sergio Cordova got his first taste of training at his new home base at the University of British Columbia on Tuesday, where the temperature hovered around 7C and a biting wind swept across the field.

It was a markedly different atmosphere than Cordova and his new teammates have been experiencing in recent weeks training in Palm Springs, Calif., but the Venezuela international wasn’t concerned as he didn’t enjoy the winters he spent in Germany and Salt Lake City troubled very balmy.

“I’ve learned to fall in love with the cold a little bit,” he said through a translator.

The 25-year-old forward has also fallen in love with the Whitecaps.

Vancouver on Monday signed Cordova to a three-year deal as a designated player with a club option for the 2026 season. News of the deal confirmed longstanding rumors he would be joining the team.

The ‘Caps acquired the 1.80m tall, 90kg forward from FC Augsburg in the German Bundesliga, where he recorded seven goals and three assists in 13 starts and 79 appearances.

Before signing the deal, Cordova spoke to the Whitecaps’ front office about what Vancouver is trying to build and said he believes in their vision.

“They made me feel wanted and made me feel like an important part of this team and they gave me the opportunity to keep growing. And in the end I didn’t doubt it at all,” he said.

“Of all the decisions I had, this was the one that suited me best and it gave me the opportunity to continue to grow and build on that as a player and hopefully do a lot for this club.”

Cordova was on loan to Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake in 2022, where he led the team with 11 goals in 34 appearances.

“I’ve learned it’s a competitive league. It’s very intense. And to play, you have to be 100 percent. Physically it’s very demanding and you have to be at the highest level to perform,” he said.

“In terms of playing style, it’s a great league. It’s grown a lot lately. A lot of young people are coming through, a lot of young players are coming through. And yes, it will continue and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Cordova has been dating his new teammates for about two weeks after joining them in California as they prepare for the upcoming season. The ‘Caps will start the 2023 season on Saturday when they host Cordova’s former club.

While Vancouver is still trying to get the new striker up to speed, head coach Vanni Sartini likes what he’s seen so far.

“Sergio, I would say, is a striker who has all the qualities we like and I like it when a striker plays in that kind of setup,” he said. “He’s strong, he’s fast, he can push a lot, he scores goals. So I think he will help the team a lot during the season.”

The ‘Caps are changing tactics this season to add more attacking options, the coach added, and Cordova will help the new system.

His fellow striker Brian White is excited to see what the “dynamic player” will contribute.

“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s good with the ball,” White said. “And I think he’s going to be a really good player for us and hopefully be able to score a lot of goals for us.”

Cordova believes his speed and physicality will be a boon to the Whitecaps, who finished last season with a 12-15-7 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

“I hope that I can give everything and go far in every competition,” he said. “We have a strong team here. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on February 21, 2023.