The Vancouver Whitecaps soccer club is getting a distinct Indian flavour.
India goalkeeper Subrata Paul will appear for trials for the second division Major League Soccer (MLS) team Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Canada after the end of Indian league.
The Pune FC custodian was scheduled to leave for Canada last week but it has now been postponed as he is yet to recover from a groin injury he sustained during an I-League match against Mumbai FC.
Paul’s agent Arvind Narayan told IANS that the footballer will go for a 10-day trial after the season gets over.
‘He is yet to recover from the groin injury so there is no point in going now for the trials. Since the I-League is in its last stage, we thought it would be better to go for trials once the league gets over,’ said Narayan.
Paul, who was recommended to Whitecaps by former Salgaocar coach Tim Hankinson, also admitted that his injury is worrying him and he wants to go for trials only when he is fully fit. Hankinson is also a former MLS coach and has worked with Colorado Rapids.
‘Can’t think of anything now. I want to get fully fit before I reach Vancouver. I don’t want to mess up a big opportunity,’ said Paul.
Paul is the second Indian player after Sunil Chettri to go for trials in a MLS club. Chettri has been signed up by American soccer club Kansas City Wizards.
Paul hopes that Chhetri going to Kansas and his trip to Vancouver would open up opportunities for other Indian footballers.
Chettri has been signed up by first division club Kansas City Wizards and if Paul gets the nod from Vancouver Whitecaps FC he, too, will be joining his India team mate as the club has moved up from second division this season.
Former India goalkeeper Debashish Mukherjee, who has been a long time coach of Paul, feels that the youngster from Kolkata suburb Sodepur can really make it big in the American league.
‘Goalkeeping has been India’s strong point and that is an area where I think our players can really make an impact. Subrata has been in fine form in the last couple of years, especially at the international level,’ said Mukherjee.
He said Paul can match the fitness level required for MLS.
‘His fitness levels are really good, but there is scope for improvement. If he works hard on it, he can easily be one of the best in MLS. But first he should cross the first hurdle of creating an impact on the Whitecaps officials. I strongly feel that he has it in him to come good,’ he said.