Ex-Whitecaps Harmse, Janicki help launch San Antonio franchise By Steven Sandor Posted on December 14, 2011 1 0 816 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Kevin Harmse PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER The NASL’s newest franchise already has some Canadian content — and has some heavy Whitecaps’ influence. The expansion San Antonio Scorpions revealed their first two signings in a special press conference Wednesday afternoon, Canadian midfielder Kevin Harmse and former Whitecap Greg Janicki. “Kevin and Greg were terrific defenders for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and they bring experience and toughness to the Scorpions,” coach Tim Hankinson said in a release. “It’s great to start with two strong anchors.” The Harmse move has been rumoured for a while. He was signed by his old Div.-2 club, the Whitecaps, in March, but was cut loose in June. Harmse spent parts of 2008 and 2009 with Toronto FC, then was sent to Chivas USA, where he didn’t see game time. He was then sent to Houston, where he didn’t make an MLS appearance. Injuries have plagued Harmse throughout his career. When healthy, he is a tough-tackling player who can be deployed as a holding midfielder or in defence — even though he is a card risk. The option on Janicki’s contract was declined at the end of the 2011 MLS season, and he was made available in the Re-Entry Draft and wasn’t claimed. He was an all-star caliber defender for the Whitecaps at the Div.-2 level, so he will be looked on to be a steadying influence for what will be a young expansion team. Janicki is a Michigan native. FC Edmonton expects that some of the 11 players it cut at the end of the 2011 season will make the move to Texas to try out for the Scorpions. So, there could be more Canadian content in Texas in the coming weeks.
