News

FC Tampa Bay midfielder/forward Long Tan has started out strong with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who are gearing up for their first season in MLS, during their California training camp.  Vancouver relocated last week to their offseason training base in Ventura Beach, California to begin their 12-day training camp at Oxnard College. 

Tan, along with several new faces to the Vancouver bench, participated in a behind-closed-doors scrimmage against Ventura County Fusion, winners of the 2009 USL PDL championship title.  The Whitecaps claimed a 2-1 friendly win over Ventura on Thursday with a little assistance from Tan, who played the entire 90 minutes. 

In the second half, the Whitecaps and Fusion were tied 1-1 when Tan was pulled down just outside Fusion’s box and awarded a free kick, which was taken by Davide Chiumiento but blocked by Ventura’s goalkeeper. A few minutes later the game winning goal was scored by forward Nizar Khalfan after Tan supplied him with a pass. 

Tan, who is with Vancouver as a result of the Ricardo Sanchez and Jonny Steele trade, will stay with Vancouver as they continue their training in California, including an intrasquad match on Sunday and another friendly against Ventura as they wrap up their camp.