Former Joe Public centre back Mitchell joins Whitecaps in first practice
By Marc Weber (The Province)The Vancouver Whitecaps have been dreadful on attacking set pieces this season with just one goal coming from a corner.
Carlyle Mitchell hopes he can help in that department.
The Trinidad & Tobago centre back landed in Vancouver late Wednesday night and practised for the first time with his new teammates Thursday at Empire Field.
He signed just before the Sept. 15 roster freeze but visa issues delayed his arrival.
Mitchell, a lanky 24-year-old, played previously for Joe Public FC, a top team in Trinidad & Tobago.
"Back in Trinidad, I scored a lot of headers," he said. "It's one of my strong points."
Mitchell, who otherwise described his game as "simple," could see time with the Whitecaps reserves as soon as Monday when they host Portland at Swangard Stadium.
Whitecaps acting coach Tommy Soehn said Mitchell's height (6-foot-2) and agility should come in handy on set pieces.
"I look at our commitment to getting to the near post and making real runs," he said, "and we lack that effort, getting into those spots. There are certain guys who attack the ball, and [Mitchell] has got that mentality. On set pieces, I think he'll be a threat.
"First impressions, he had a decent day."
Mitchell was accompanied by his agent and former coach Derek King, who is helping him to settle in.
Joe Public withdrew from the 2011-12 T&T Pro League. The club is owned by Jack Warner, the former FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF head, who quit amid corruption allegations.
Vancouver expressed interest in Mitchell shortly after Joe Public bowed out for the season.
Mitchell's Trinidadian friends in MLS include Philadelphia Union's Keon Daniel and Julius James of the Columbus Crew.
Mitchell hadn't yet found a chance to talk to them about the move, but one day into training and he could already sense the step up was a big one.
"The intensity is very high," he said. "More than Trinidad. Fast, very fast. In Trinidad we play a bit slow, but I'm adapting to it."
How quickly he adapts will determine how quickly he sees time with the first team.
Soehn jettisoned French centre back Mouloud Akloul and his $150,000 salary mid-way through the season. Veteran Alain Rochat has moved into the middle from his left-back position and partnered Jay DeMerit.
New Zealand international, rookie Michael Boxall, has been Soehn's third choice ahead of Greg Janicki.