It was late afternoon in mid-October and the newly formed U16 Residency team was taking on the Washington Crossfire leading by a 1-0 score. A penalty was called against the home team late in the match and it seemed like everyone was preparing to split the result.
However a diving fingertip stop by then 15 year old Marco Carducci kept the Whitecaps ahead and preserved the win. Two and a half years later the young keeper has signed his first professional contract and has been slotted in as the future starting keeper for the Caps.
Despite the praise that is being heaped on the Alberta native, Carducci knows there is much work to do before he can reach the levels he wants to.
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<i>"Have to take it step by step, just work hard every day and see where it takes me. I’ll work every day to push my limits to get my standard as high as I can."</i>
Born and raised in Calgary the newest Whitecap had to become inventive in developing his game at a young age. This included playing in the basement with his dad and former keeper, Luciano, where father and son would leave a multitude of dents in the wall.
Being of Italian heritage there was little doubt who Carducci idolized and patterned growing up in the Prairies.
<i>"There were a lot but even now it is Gianluigi Buffon. He’s my favourite, but when you start maturing and spend time with pro goalkeepers you pick up things to help your game."</i>
After spending five years with Calgary Villains FC (2006-11) Carducci joined the Whitecaps organization when they expanded their Residency with their first U16 team in 2011. It was clear from the beginning that the Whitecaps had a special player as he was clearly an excellent shot stopper and showed no fear in controlling the area around his net.
It didn’t take long for others with the club to notice what a special player they had and it was clear there was a bright future. Even before he became the head coach, Carl Robinson has been impressed by the keeper’s ability and mentality and feels he is the real deal.
<i>"Last season he stood out in preseason camp, just his calmness, he’s 17 years of age but when you talk to him he’s going on 37. He is calm, very confident in his own ability and is humble as well. The work ethic he puts in day to day is fantastic and I think it’s a just reward for him and it will be the next progression for him."</i>
At each level he has played so far (U16, U18, PDL and international) Carducci hasn’t shown any significant weaknesses. He is confident in the box, positions himself well and shows very little fear when attacking the ball in the air.
His biggest strength is his shot stopping ability which was on display last year in a match against Victoria last season when he made one of the best double saves by any keeper at any level (it won AFTN's 'Save of the Year' - what bigger accolade could a keeper want?!).
A born leader Carducci was named the captain of the U17 Canadian national team when they earned a spot at the 2013 World Cup, playing in all three games in the UAE last October.
One thing Carducci pointed out when it came to his development was his arrival in Vancouver with the Residency program, especially his time with keeper coach Raegyn Hall.
<i>"When I moved out here in August of 2011 it was the Residency program that moved my development forward. The coaching staff for me, especially Raegyn, spending every day in that environment but with his help in refining me, in helping me make the jump to the next level, was massive for me.
"Also being there every day you learned, and being able to see the first team working hard and putting their full focus in to it and going every day to become better is the way you get there."</i>
His goalkeeping guru at the Residency level feels the sky is the limit for the Carducci and feels his tangibles are what will help him succeed in the pro game. He will obviously need to continue his development at a similar rate because in addition to the game being faster, the opposition will be more skilled and more physical.
<i>"Since he joined the residency program, he has had a fantastic attitude, work rate and approach."</i> Hall told us.
<i>"The biggest adjustment for a young keeper stepping into the professional environment is speed of play. Everything happens a little bit quicker."</i>
The two time U17 Canadian player of the year is now positioned in the number three spot behind David Ousted and Paolo Tornaghi. Unless there are injuries there is little chance for Carducci to see playing time in the near future so expect to see him play in both the USSDA and PDL leagues.
However, considering his movement through the ranks of the organization there should be little doubt that the young Canadian keeper will be applying his trade on the turf of B.C. Place in the near future.
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