Dub Narcotic Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed Residency defender/midfielder Michael Baldisimo to a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) in the United Soccer League (USL), pending league and federation approval. “I’ve worked with Michael since he was 11-years-old,” said WFC2 head coach Rich Fagan. “I’m proud of him and excited that he’s reached this stage of his career. He’s a promising and versatile player who has a bright future ahead of him. We look forward to helping him continue to develop and progress.” WFC2 defender/midfielder Michael Baldisimo Native of Burnaby, BC Joined Whitecaps FC Residency as an 11-year-old in 2011 Started 2016 Development Academy championship final with U-18 team Member of Canada’s U-17 men’s national team Baldisimo, 16, recently spent preseason with the first team in Portland, making one appearance off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in the Timbers preseason tournament. As an academy call-up with WFC2 last season, Baldisimo made his professional debut in the USL on August 3, 2016, coming on as a late substitute on the road at Arizona United SC (now Phoenix Rising FC). “I’ve been dreaming of this all of my life,” added Baldisimo. “It’s going to be fun playing professionally with my brother Matthew. It was a great experience to be with the first team in preseason, to see what the level is like and see how guys carry themselves on and off the field. I can’t wait to get the USL season underway.” The native of Burnaby, BC is the third youngest of four brothers with his elder siblings Mark and Matthew having also been a part of the Whitecaps FC Residency program. Michael now joins his brother Matthew on WFC2. After joining the Residency program as an 11-year-old in 2011, Baldisimo began playing with the U-13 Pre-Residency team. In the 2014-15 season, he moved to the U-16 Residency team, ending the year by scoring a goal in the Development Academy quarterfinals. For the past two seasons, Baldisimo has moved between the U-16 and U-18 Residency teams, including starting at right back for the U-18s in the 2016 Development Academy championship final. So far this development academy season, the 5-foot-6 defender/midfielder has started six matches and scored two goals with the U-16 Residency team, as well as starting 10 of 11 appearances with the U-18 Residency squad. On the international level, Baldisimo has recently been a member of Canada’s U-17 men’s national team, while also previously being called in to U-16 and U-15 national team camps. In his youth, the local product played for Wesburn Youth Soccer Club, South Burnaby Metro Club, Mountain United FC, and Burnaby Selects. Michael BaldisimoPosition: Defender/MidfielderHeight: 5-06Weight: 155-poundsDate of Birth: April 13, 2000 in Vancouver, BCHometown: Burnaby, BCCitizenship: CanadaStatus: Domestic Last Club: Whitecaps FC Residency (2011 – Present)Youth Club: Burnaby Selects C2SKI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic94 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) The next Davies ? Edited March 11, 2017 by Dominic94 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 The next Baldisimo.. Fact. deschamp86 and Greatest Cockney Rip Off 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub Narcotic Posted July 17, 2018 Author Share Posted July 17, 2018 Bob Frid Whitecaps FC sign Residency midfielder Michael Baldisimo to MLS Homegrown contract July 17, 201810:00AM PDT PREVIOUS NEXT VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has signed Residency midfielder Michael Baldisimo to a multi-year MLS Homegrown contract. Baldisimo will be available for selection for the Canadian Championship beginning on Wednesday, July 18 when the ‘Caps visit Montreal Impact for the first leg of their semifinal series – Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT, Radio: TSN 1040, Online: CanadaSoccer.com. “Michael does everything you want as a young midfield player, plus he can even play at right back. Ability wise, he’s got it all and we are looking forward to working with him as he continues to develop both on and off the pitch,” said head coach Carl Robinson. “Whether you play under-17, under-19, or the first team, it doesn’t faze him. When he gets his chance, he’ll be able to take it.” With Baldisimo, Simon Colyn, Sean Melvin, and David Norman Jr., as well as Theo Bair signing a pre-contract, Whitecaps FC now have inked five players from the club’s development system to MLS Homegrown contracts in the past eight months. Bair, Baldisimo, and Colyn, plus fellow Homegrown player Alphonso Davies, give the ‘Caps four teenagers on their first-team roster. “Joining the first team is amazing. Being a Homegrown player, knowing the club is willing to invest in me, it feels really rewarding,” said Baldisimo. “I just want to work hard, try and make my first-team debut, play some games, and continue to develop.”WFC midfielder Michael Baldisimo One of five players from the club’s development system signed to MLS Homegrown contracts in the past eight months Made professional debut in 2016 with Whitecaps FC 2 in USL 13 goals in 82 starts and 88 appearances for WFC Residency U-16, U-18, and U-19 Represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF Men’s U-17 Championship Baldisimo, 18, joins the first team after helping lead the WFC Residency U-19 team to a semifinal finish in the Academy Championship this month, scoring four goals in 27 appearances in the 2017-18 season. He has also previously spent time with the first team, participating in their preseason camp in 2016 and training sessions over the last two plus seasons. The midfielder made his professional debut as an Academy call-up with Whitecaps FC 2 in 2016, before signing a contract with the former United Soccer League (USL) side in 2017, totaling six starts and 13 league appearances. After joining the club’s Residency program at age 11, Baldisimo began competing with the U-13 Pre-Residency team, then moved up to the Residency U-16 and U-18 teams. He helped WFC Residency U-18 to a runner-up finish in 2016, and the U-16 side to fourth place in the 73-team Development Academy the following year. In total, Baldisimo scored 13 goals in 82 starts and 88 appearances, including playoffs, for the WFC Residency U-16, U-18, and U-19 teams in three seasons of DA competition. At the international level, the Burnaby, BC native represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF Men’s U-17 Championship and was called up to the national U-21 team for the Festival International Espoirs Provence in France last May. He made his debut in the Canadian youth program in 2014 at age 14. Michael is one of three Baldisimo brothers to develop within the WFC Residency program, along with elder brother Mark and middle brother Matthew who is playing with Vancouver’s USL affiliate Fresno FC. In his youth, Michael played for Wesburn Youth Soccer Club, South Burnaby Metro Club, Mountain United FC, and Burnaby Selects.Michael BaldisimoPronunciation: bal-DEE-si-moPosition: MidfielderHeight: 5-06Weight: 150Date of Birth: April 13, 2000 in Burnaby, BCHometown: Burnaby, BCCitizenship: CanadaStatus: Homegrown, DomesticLast Club: Whitecaps FC Residency U-19 (Development Academy ‘18)Transaction: Signed to MLS Homegrown contract on July 17, 2018Instagram: @michaelbaldisimo Greatest Cockney Rip Off 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrock Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 Does anyone share the feeling he is going to play in Montreal this Wednesday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub Narcotic Posted July 17, 2018 Author Share Posted July 17, 2018 Yes, I suspect that is why he was signed to a full contract now. Bison44 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northvansteve Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Baldisimo excellent for Canada U20 vs Dominica. Playing as deep-lying centre mid? Sprayed the ball all over the field. Greatest Cockney Rip Off, SpecialK and BenFisk'sBiggestFan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greatest Cockney Rip Off Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Was really impressed with him. This was the first time I’ve seen him play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince193 Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 6 hours ago, Greatest Cockney Rip Off said: Was really impressed with him. This was the first time I’ve seen him play. Someone should probably tell Vancouver he's on their roster. jpg75 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1996 Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 I 6 hours ago, Greatest Cockney Rip Off said: Was really impressed with him. This was the first time I’ve seen him play. I would look good playing Dominica and I’m old.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenFisk'sBiggestFan Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 I can't remember another Canadian kid of that age with that passing ability. He will be key to Canada's u-20 success this year. He looked even better once choiniere came on the field. Those two seem to be able to control the midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Teibert Jnr. Should be some solid youth options next year: Baldisimo Norman Jnr Bair Colyn Could all get minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpursFlu Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Baldisimo with 100% passing accuracy yesterday johnyb and Greatest Cockney Rip Off 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 55 minutes ago, toontownman said: Teibert Jnr. Rusty's already got a kid on the Whitecaps roster? ? toontownman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Got to do something when he was sat on the periphery and messed about the past few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenFisk'sBiggestFan Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 For those saying that we shouldn’t get too hyped because it was just Dominica, check out this Twitter thread: https://mobile.twitter.com/farhandevji/status/1058749749447118853 Top 10 passes from him yesterday. Keegan and General Apathy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 (edited) Meh. Could have just squared it or gone backwards easier. What's wrong with him. Some quality Hollywood passing there. Good to see. Edited November 3, 2018 by toontownman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Wow good on that reporter for having those clips. Those are insane numbers for the range he was attempting... not sure I’ve ever seen 100% passing with over 40 passes and regular switches. toontownman and johnyb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazlo_80 Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Really curious to see what MDS does with the talented kids on the whitecaps roster. They’re going to be a really intriguing team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoH037 Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 This kid needs to be getting playing time next season, the same goes for Colyn. Too many times the Whitecaps have failed to give young players a chance, only to release them/loan them, and then see such player have success in a different, sometimes more competitive league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C2SKI Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 14 minutes ago, LeoH037 said: This kid needs to be getting playing time next season, the same goes for Colyn. Too many times the Whitecaps have failed to give young players a chance, only to release them/loan them, and then see such player have success in a different, sometimes more competitive league. Who? Keegan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdog Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 I watched most of the whitecaps games this year for Davies, if they start playing more kids I'll try to do it again next season. If they don't, at least I don't have to torture myself by watching them again If only tfc would start playing academy players. Delgado sucked 90% of the time yet Fraser couldn't get a start over him. Club Linesman and Keegan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontownman Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Couldn't be a better time with Kamara off and Blondell and hurtado next to useless. Think they will bring in a decent DP forward but it's a good time to test bair and Colyn. Midfield is in a similar situation so Norman jnr/baldisimo and maybe verhoeven (who seems to still be attached to the whitecaps) might get a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoH037 Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 5 hours ago, Bdog said: I watched most of the whitecaps games this year for Davies, if they start playing more kids I'll try to do it again next season. If they don't, at least I don't have to torture myself by watching them again If only tfc would start playing academy players. Delgado sucked 90% of the time yet Fraser couldn't get a start over him. Fraser and Delgado play in different positions... Fraser is competing with Bradley for minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 7 hours ago, lazlo_80 said: Really curious to see what MDS does with the talented kids on the whitecaps roster. They’re going to be a really intriguing team I am also excited but I get the impression that most of these young guys are still not ready for MLS, at least not as regular starters. But I do want to see MDS integrating guys like Baldisimo into the main squad, and then blooding them at the right moments. BearcatSA, masster and lazlo_80 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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