With every touch Connor Glennon makes, he seems to rate higher evaluation marks from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The team-player love affair has been flourishing for some time now. The Caps have made Glennon an offer to join their U18 full-time residency program next fall. Glennon has until May 1 to make a decision.
“My family says they will support me either way, but’s it’s a big decision,” said Glennon, a Grade 11 student at Seaton Secondary. “It’s exciting to have some options.”
The University of Washington Huskies, UBC Thunderbirds and SFU have expressed interest in signing Glennon for the 2017-18 college soccer season.
“It’s his Grade 12 year so to move away from family and friends is crucial,” said David Broadhurst of Vernon, regional coach for the Thompson Okanagan Whitecaps. “He’s ready. He’s very consistent as an attacking player in scoring goals and setting them up. Connor is also tough to defend.”
Glennon tried the Whitecaps pre-residency program a year ago and wasn’t promoted to the next stage.
“Connor’s far more mature player now,” said Kai Tolpinrud, goalkeeper coach with TOFC. “He’s a special player to watch.”
Added Broadhurst: “He beats himself up when he sets such high standards. He’s worked hard on his mental game.”
Broadhurst said Glennon was among six ‘99-born prospects at a MLS combine last summer in Washington State and left the field of 120 players ranked No. 1.
Glennon will play three games for his normal club team – Thompson Okanagan FC – this weekend in the Whitecaps Showcase.
TOFC face the Vancouver Island Wave, Fusion FC of Richmond and Calgary Southwest in front of more than 100 CIS university coaches at Newton Athletic Park.
A 5-foot-9, 152-pound striker/winger, Glennon has scored twice and earned one assist in three B.C. EA SPORTS Soccer Premier League games this spring season.
He was invited to play alongside Whitecap academy prospects two months ago in Vancouver versus against Edmonton.
“His dynamic play and his drive and speed got him invited to the U18 training in late February for two weeks of intra-squad training and they offered him a full-time spot,” said Broadhurst.
“This just shows that the pathway works, that players from outside Vancouver can still develop to that level.”
Glennon, who scored twice as Team B.C. secured a silver medal in the Western Canada Summer Games in Fort McMurray last year, will stay in Burnaby and play for B.C. against Alberta in a Tuesday friendly involving 2017 Canada Summer Games (Winnipeg) prospects.
Thompson Okanagan FC had a record 20 players, including six from Vernon, accepted into B.C. Soccer’s High Performance Program (HPP) last year.
B.C. Soccer and the EA SPORTS B.C. Soccer Premier League have been building stronger partnerships with Canada Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps FC which has helped create a clearer pathway for high performance players.
“I’ve talked to guys who have done the Residency program and they say it’s just like having a second family,” said Glennon, an Arsenal supporter who says speed and dribbling are his prime skills.
“I’ve got an accurate shot. It’s not so much about power, but placing the ball for me.”
Tolpinrud will scout this weekend’s showcase for the UBC Okanagan Heat women’s side.
TOFC U18s battled to a scoreless draw with Coquitlam Metro Ford while losing 6-2 to Coastal FC and falling 2-1 to Surrey United. The Okanagan side, which has Kamloops players, trains in Vernon and Kelowna during the week.
Connor’s younger brother, Liam, and Jonathan Rinaldi of the Kamloops Blaze represented the Whitecaps Prospect Series two weeks ago in a Western Canadian tournament.
