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Pro soccer gets underway Saturday afternoon in 91原创

Several relatively new Vancouver FC players expected to suit up against Calgary
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Atl茅tico Ottawa beat Vancouver FC last weekend. Now VFC is hosting Calgary Cavalry Saturday afternoon in 91原创. (Matt Zambonin, CPL/Special to 91原创 Advance Times)

It鈥檚 been less than a month since Miki Cantave joined 91原创鈥檚 new pro soccer team.

Since his arrival June 29, Cantave has already played all three regular season games, and registered a goal in Vancouver FC鈥檚 2-1 home victory earlier this month against Halifax.

But Saturday afternoon鈥檚 game at Willoughby Stadium could prove his hardest yet, as a member of VFC. Still a recent immigrant from Calgary, the forward will suit up against his former Cavalry FC teammates for the first time.

VFC played its home opener in May against Cavalry FC. That game ended in 1-1 a draw. They subsequently fell to Cavalry, 3-1, during a visit to Calgary in mid-June.

RECENT WITH VIDEO: A promising start by Vancouver FC鈥檚 newest players, but not enough for a win

In this rematch, Cantave and the team are hoping to extend VFC鈥檚 winning streak, and at the same time secure their first victory over Calgary.

RELATED WITH VIDEO: A crucial home victory for Vancouver FC

In the meantime, Vancouver FC recently announced the signing of North Vancouver winger James Cameron to his first professional contract, a multi-year deal with club options that could keep him with Vancouver FC through 2026.

Cameron, 18, joins Vancouver鈥檚 roster through the Exceptional Young Talent (EYT) subcategory that was introduced today by the Canadian Premier League (CPL).

The newly announced designation, which became effective on Friday, July 14, allows CPL clubs to sign two additional under-18 domestic players outside of their primary 23-man roster, to occupy spots 24 and 25 on a club鈥檚 master roster.

鈥淛ames Cameron is a work-horse of a player and he has consistently impressed everyone in our organization,鈥 said VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi.

鈥淭o provide James with his first professional contract from a developmental one is exactly what our club and the league is about: giving young players a chance they may not have otherwise.鈥

Cameron joined Vancouver in May on a developmental contract, which allowed the Canadian teenager the opportunity to train and play in up to six professional matches with the club, while still maintaining his amateur status.

The North Vancouver native made his professional debut with VFC on June 11, when he was substituted into the club鈥檚 match against Cavalry FC in the 72nd minute. It took Cameron less than a month to reach his maximum six allotted appearances while on a developmental contract, and his consistent play was rewarded with an inaugural professional deal.

鈥淭his has been an amazing experience for me and I鈥檓 just excited to continue working hard,鈥 said Cameron.

鈥淚t has all happened so quickly, only joining the team a few months ago, but it gives me so much confidence to know that the coaches and management believe in me.鈥

Cameron鈥檚 most recent appearance came on July 16, when he played a full 90 minutes against Atl茅tico Ottawa and registered a team-high 14 duels won.

In addition to the signing of Cameron, Vancouver FC announced the designation of Taryck 鈥淭J鈥 Tahid of Maple Ridge to roster spot 25 of the EYT subcategory.

Tahid became the youngest player in CPL history to sign a standard player contract on May 6, and has since scored two goals in 10 appearances for the B.C. team.

After this weekend鈥檚 at home game, Vancouver FC heads to Hamilton again, to take on the Forge next Friday, July 28.

In the meantime, today鈥檚 game gets underway at 4 p.m. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. at Willoughby Stadium, next to 91原创 Events Centre. Tickets for that match can still be .

West Coast fans who can鈥檛 make it to the game, can catch the match on dedicated soccer channel .


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Roxanne Hooper

About the Author: Roxanne Hooper

I began in the news industry at age 15, but honestly, I knew I wanted to be a community journalist even before that.
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