Whitecap Teibert joins Generation Adidas class, TFC signs four

Russell Teibert’s signing wasn’t a surprise. But his designation as a Generation Adidas prospect does represent a historic moment for Canadian soccer fans.

Both Toronto FC and the Whitecaps signed trialists on Thursday, filling out their rosters ahead of the MLS opener. But Teibert was the biggest news of the lot.

“It’s a great feeling to be signed by this great club. Vancouver is like a hometown to me,” said Teibert. “The Whitecaps have helped me grow as a player since I arrived here in 2008, so it’s exciting for myself to break through to the first team.”

Teibert, from Niagara Falls, Ont., becomes only the second Canadian-born player to earn Generation Adidas status, joining Teal Bunbury — who decided against playing for the country of his birth and now represents the U.S.

He joins Omar Salgado, who just earned a call to the U.S. side’s camp ahead of CONCACAF qualifying for the U-20 World Cup, as GA Whitecaps, a massive boost for the club as it manages the salary cap and roster limits.

But, like Salgado, Teibert will likely miss a portion of the early part of the season. He is a shoo-in for the U-20 squad, which will go to Guatemala for the CONCACAF championships, in late March and early April. Salgado, because of FIFA residency rules, isn’t eligible to play for a Canadian club until September, when he turns 18.

The Whitecaps also announced the signings of Brazilian striker Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo, who will need to bolster a group of strikers, outside of Salgado, who were less than impressive in the preseason. Michael Boxall, a defender from New Zealand, was signed — a great achievement for a player taken in the supplemental draft, which is usually an afterthought for GMs. Alexandre Morfaw, who played with the Whitecaps last season in Div. 2, will add some depth to the MLS roster.

Meanwhile, Toronto FC promoted four players from its Academy to the first-team. Ashtone Morgan, who came to TFC Academy when he was 16, will add some defensive depth to the team. Midfielder Oscar Cordon, who got some playing time for the big squad in the meaningless Nutrilite Canadian Championship finale last season — TFC had already clinched the title — and in the CONCACAF Champions League, also moves up. He also featured in last year’s friendly against Bolton, failing to convert in penalty kicks as Wanderers edged the Reds in the shootout. Cordon is a product of the same Mississauga Falcons program that produced former Canadian player of the year Simeon Jackson.

Midfielder Matthew Stinson, who left the Academy last year for Winthrop University, where he was named team MVP, also makes the move. Striker Keith Makubuya was also signed.

Six TFC Academy players have made the move to the first team within the last 12 months.