As FC Whitehorse approaches its 5th season in the Canadian Soccer League, expectations are incredibly hard to gauge. On the plus side, the roster may be the most impressive one that the team has ever constructed. However, there are major questions about team cohesion and a coaching staff that is incredibly new in their respective roles.
The Freezers' President Gerard Dumontet, who is set to begin his first season in that role, was optimistic with the direction of the team. "Considering the turnover that we had, the team that is assembled here is a pretty impressive one" said Dumontet at a recent press availability. "There are a lot of talented people working in our organization at every level, and like the players on the field, the goal right now is to find a setup and a structure that works to get the most out of everyone here. The operating word around the organization is adaptability. That is our mantra right now."
Perhaps there is no one at the club more befitting of that adaptability label than new manager Kemal Perrin. The 35 year old has gone from being a midfielder at the club, to various roles around the coaching staff, to interim assistant manager, to first team coach, and now promoted to the top coaching job. "My time at Whitehorse has been an absolute whirlwind" said Perrin after a recent exhibition victory. "So my goal is to instill the type of system that we need to have a successful season, and success going forward. I believe that best foot forward is a more hands off approach. The guys on the pitch are capable professional athletes, and while I am here to provide them guidance, they need to know what their role at the club is and what they can do day to day to make this team better. Going into the season, I really think we're close to being there."
Perrin has made a major tactical adjustment, moving the club to a 4-4-1-1 formation. With the season approaching, the expected starting lineup for the Freezers will look like this:
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20 year old Zako Schmit remains the club's primary goalkeeper after a pair of successful seasons in the role, while Rubinho remains as Whitehorse's backup keeper. With the departure of Patrick Letour, the defensive trio of De Melisco, Nunez, and Sabido are joined by new star man Marcel Omozusi. The 31 year old Omozusi is expected to be the best player this season for the Freezers as he returns to CSL action for the first time since S99. Gabiro Rezusta and Daniel Fuentes return as the main defensive backups. Young midfielders Nacho Valdez and Virgillio Rivas remain in the starting lineup with support from new star youngster Honorato Suaze and slightly more veteran addition Sólyom Havas. Behind them, Bainbridge Mediate moves to a role off the bench this year joining the returning Ponce Palou and Eleazar Roque. 25 goal scorer Angel Piña will be the primary attacking forward with team captain Timothy Brett moving from the wing to a support forward role. Late addition Zétény Budai will join Marthaldo as the primary depth options at forward.
At a recent post-training press conference, team captain Timothy Brett talked up his team's commitment to winning more games in the immediate future. "Obviously, there are still quite a few young guys on this team" said Brett. "But, you watch those guys play and you can see how hungry they are to grow and improve. And adding guys like Marcel [Omozusi] and Havas, along with Angel [Piña] the scoring machine, it just feels like we have the right balance to move up that table this year."
For the second straight year, the Freezers open their season at the Ice Box hosting Vandelay FC.