Opportunity was all about timing when the 麻豆传媒映画Whitecaps unveiled current MSL standout Alphonso Davies. His talent proved the rest.
Burnaby鈥檚 Michael Baldisimo is vying for a similar opportunity and one the Whitecaps are willing to provide, following signing the 18-year-old to a multi-year MLS homegrown contract on Tuesday.
The midfielder was on the sidelines on Wednesday in the team鈥檚 1-0 loss in Montreal at the Canadian championships semifinals 鈥� alongside Davies, who debuted two years ago with the squad聽 鈥� and is expected to be part of the club鈥檚 infusion of youth down the road.
麻豆传媒映画head coach Carl Robinson said the development of players like Baldisimo is vital to the team鈥檚 future.
鈥淢ichael does everything you want as a young midfield player, plus he can even play at right back. Ability wise, he鈥檚 got it all, and we are looking forward to working with him as he continues to develop both on and off the pitch,鈥� said Robinson. 鈥淲hether you play under-17, under-19, or the first team, it doesn鈥檛 faze him. When he gets his chance, he鈥檒l be able to take it.鈥�
A midfielder, Baldisimo has garnered a lengthy resum茅 of competing hard at each level. Growing up and playing for Wesburn, South Burnaby Metro and the Burnaby Selects, as well as Mountain United, he was chosen for the Whitecaps Residency program at the age of 11, first with the pre-residency squad and then as a member of the under-16 and u-18 teams.
Over the past three seasons with the 鈥機aps, Baldisimo accumulated 13 goals in 82 starts with the team, and earlier this month helped lead the u19 residency team to the semifinals of the Academy championships. He scored four times in 27 games this past season.
On the international front, he pulled on the Canadian jersey for the 2017 CONCACAF u17 championships and was a call-up for the national u21 squad for the Festival International Espoirs Provence in France two months ago. His first experience with the national program came at the age of 14.
With two older brothers who鈥檝e moved up the soccer ladder 鈥� Mark and Matthew 鈥� Baldisimo has demonstrated both the skill and dedication to thrive under the intense spotlight that comes with the pro squad.
鈥淛oining the first team is amazing. Being a homegrown player, knowing the club is willing to invest in me, it feels really rewarding,鈥� said Baldisimo. 鈥淚 just want to work hard, try and make my first-team debut, play some games, and continue to develop.鈥�
