by Al Clark
al@canucks-abroad.com

So, with tonight potentially deciding the NCC, well, if TFC win (thanks Duane!), I thought I'd take a quick look at the Canucks on display, and detail which ones and where they had played abroad.

The home side first....

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Vancouver Whitecaps:

#2 Marco Reda

As well as having played for the opposition tonight, Reda played a total of 5 seasons abroad in Norway (Sogndal, twice) and Denmark (Aalborg) between 2002-2007. He has 7 caps for the CMNT.

#3 Luca Bellisimo

Born in South Africa, 22 y/o Bellisimo grew up in Canada aside from a 3 year stint in Australia. There he played for the Brisbane Wolves.

#4 Justin Thompson

A single game for Bury (England) in the 2003/04 season is all the former U20/U23 player had to show for a career abroad until a season with non-league Worcester City in 2006/7.

#7 Martin Nash

Vancouver's most creative midfielder had a number of seasons over in the UK playing at the lower professional level, first with Stockport County (1996-1998) then later Chester City in 1999-2000). After some time back in North America playing both indoor and outdoor soccer, he returned to England and Macclesfield Town for the 2002/03 season, making 5 appearances. With 38 caps for his country, the most valuable experiences abroad he will have received with the CMNT.

#12 Geordie Lyall

After an eternity with the 'Caps, Lyall fancied trying his hand abroad before the end of his career. He went to England and to Walsall, where he made exactly zero appearances in the 2006/7 season before returning home to the 'Caps.

#14 Marcus Haber

The former FC Groningen youth player was one of four Canucks released at the end of the 2007/08 season. Amongst the reasons these plyers were released was poor command of the Dutch language. Harsh, perhaps, but it's given Haber a chance to go pro at Vancouver, his home town team, and see minutes while developing. With MLS coming to Vancouver in 2011 he's one they could have the whoel way through. He represent Canada in the Olympic qualifiers last year in the USA.

#28 Gordon Chin

The only player on the side to have played in Asia with Yantai Yiteng where he suited up last year. Playing in China makes sense given his family background. He's also played in England, with Halifax Town after originally starting out as a Portsmouth youth team player. He too is a former U20/U23 player, where he was a co-captain of the CYNT sde that qualified for the U20 World Cup in 2003.

#98 Charles Gbeke

The colorful Abidjan (Ivory Coast) born Canadian striker has had many stops in his career. Like many African born players, he came through a French youth system, with Troyes. His travels have taken him from France to Brazil (Comercial, Matsurba) and Denmark (Herfølge Boldklub), not mentioning a three clubs in the US. He's also had the distinction of having played for all three Voyageurs Cup teams - twice each. He's three caps for the full Canadian men's team, all coming since 2008.