The Vancouver Whitecaps trotted out Alain Rochat before the media today. The 6'0 170lbs defender who was actually born in Canada (Sainte Jean sur Richelieu, Quebec) sounded pretty up beat about the prospects of playing in the MLS for the 2011 season.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] He didn't seem to have too much knowledge of what he's facing for opposition in the coming season, but he has a C.V. that says he should be up for the task. Having faced the likes of Kaka and Christiano Ronaldo it looks like the Whitecaps may have found a diamond in the rough. He said that he knows its a tough, physical league where you have to play a full 90 minutes at a "high rhythm"
Rochat is coming off a loan spell at FC Zurich in the top flight of Swiss Soccer. He had already signed with the Whitecaps in the summer of 2010 and had been loaned back to his previous club in Switzerland. While in Zurich he won domestic championships in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009. In 2009-2010 Zurich made it all the way to the group stages of the Champions League where "The City Club" faced stiff competition against European giants like AC Milan, Olympic Marsielle, and Real Madrid. He got a little nostalgic when he was asked about his experiences in the Champions League. His eyes light up when he was talking about facing Real at The Bernabeu, and Milan at San Siro. He said they may have taken advantage of an older AC Milan club that may not have taken their far smaller opposition too seriously, and in the end Zurich "profited" from it with a 1-0 victory. In his own words "we got no chances" against Real Madrid but that just seems like a little bit of modesty. While up front they may not have faired so well you can check out the Whitecaps highlight video of him against Madrid and he really seemed to hold his own against Los Blancos.
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When asked about the injury he had been rehabbing at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, (it had been previously reported that he was having difficulties with his right knee) he assured the throng of microphones that he was in good form and it was actually a quadricep strain. He played limited minutes to start the season this year. If you look at Zurich's results at the beginning of the campaign, his re-emergance in the lineup seemed to coincide with the clubs improved results on the game sheet. As he put it "It was his first and his last injury until now" and every player gets hurt at some point in their career.
While he does have international experience under his belt having played very briefly with the Swiss National team, he has no plans on trying to make the squad in the future. He had some good games with Zurich but never got the call to play for the SMNT so he has no expectations of getting another chance.
Teitur Thordason confirmed that he will be looking to have Rochat play left back. This shouldn't come as a big surprise as the 'Caps are very deep in the middle of the defensive line with USMNT Centre Back Jay DeMerit and USSF D2 Defensive MVP Greg Janicki looking to clog up the centre of the pitch.
Rochat likes to contribute on the offensive end of the pitch, he has great ball control, good vision and is a great passer. He should be a great fit for Teiturs system.
What do you think? Are you excited about the new signing? Think it's no big deal? Are the Caps going to be nearly as stingy on D as they were last year?