He might be the second youngest on the team, turning 17 next month.

He might not be one of the most experienced players on the Vancouver Football Club鈥檚 roster.

But, midfielder Taryck (T.J.) Tahid has pearls of wisdom to share with aspiring young athletes like him dreaming of a career in pro soccer.

鈥淚t is possible,鈥� he said, pointing to his own experience.

In fact, Tahid has a few suggestions for the up-and-comers. It starts with advising them to get registered and get their butts down to Willoughby Stadium in 91原创 next week.

The Vancouver FC is hosting its second annual open trials Monday through Thursday, March 18 to 21, in search of undiscovered soccer talent.

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Tahid learned about last year鈥檚 open trials through word of mouth in what he called a small network of Lower Mainland soccer players. Discussing it with his family 鈥� including his father, who coaches youth with VanCity Pro Football Academy in Burnaby 鈥� they felt it was an opportunity he had to seize on.

Tahid has no regrets.

鈥淚t was nice having tryouts for a pro club in the community I grew up in,鈥� said the Maple Ridge teen, who was glad for an opportunity to show himself to the coaches of a Lower Mainland team.

鈥淭hankfully, the coaches were happy with my performance,鈥� he said.

To any aspiring young players 鈥� whether they be little kids he now coaches on the field at his dad鈥檚 academy or those ponder the VFC open trials 鈥� Tahid encourages them to go for their dreams.

鈥淛ust be yourself. Don鈥檛 worry about what others think of you when you play. Just be yourself, work hard, and know your goal,鈥� he said, explaining that his goal has always been to play pro soccer at the highest level possible.

His goal was realized at VFC open trials last January when he was invited to train with the team and ultimately signed to play days after his 16th birthday.

Tahid went on to enjoy 554 minutes of play in 20 appearances last year, scoring three goals during his inaugural pro season.

But it鈥檚 admittedly his pro debut and his first goal that he will never forget, Tahid shared with the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淢y first pro goal, that will be in my heart forever,鈥� he said, recounting the strike in the 46th minute of play against Pacific FC at home on June 2.

鈥淭hat day, after that goal, was very, very extraordinary. From that goal, I just remember turning, shooting, and then after that I don鈥檛 really remember much. I just remember the joy, and sharing that with everyone around me in the stadium.鈥�

A professional career in the sport is possible, Tahid reiterated in sharing his own story with VFC.

As for the number of spots available at this year鈥檚 open trials, the football team said that鈥檚 a wildcard, noting the number depends on the talented player who attend. Last year 30 players out of the tryouts went on to train with VFC, and six were signed to a pro contract through the season.

鈥淭hat is what makes open trials so exciting is the unknown of who will come out of it,鈥� said team spokesperson Katelyn White. 鈥淥pen trials is just like an opportunity. It鈥檚 a chance. It鈥檚 an open door. It鈥檚 something that wouldn鈥檛 be offered otherwise. That鈥檚 the beauty of something like this, that anyone who thinks they are ready and able to play professionally actually has a shot.

Some will be picked to train with the team, and some 鈥� like Tahid and fellow midfielder James Cameron 鈥� will be selected to sign a contract, suit up, and play for this Canadian Premiere League (CPL) team.

In the meantime, Tahid and the rest of the team are already gearing up for the second CPL season, which gets underway in a month when VFC hosts the Valour FC for a 4 p.m. game on Sunday, April 14 on their home pitch at Willoughby Stadium.

Daily training started a few weeks ago, and the players are getting together three days a week to practise and two times a week for what Tahid calls 鈥渇riendly games鈥� with local teams.

As for how young is feeling about his skill sets heading into the new season, he鈥檚 confident his game has improved significantly thanks to the coaching staff and his teammates.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited. I have the first year under my belt now and I鈥檓 excited going into this season, especially with all the new signings coming in. The level [of play] has gone up, and it鈥檚 great to be training in this environment right now,鈥� he shared, excited to kick off the season.

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