BURNABY, B.C. – Martin Rennie wouldn't say for sure whether David Ousted would make his debut for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday against Philadelphia.
But he didn't shy away from the question either.
“Yeah, it’s possible,” the Whitecaps head coach told reporters.
Ousted, the Danish goalkeeper who the 'Caps brought in with the intention of giving him the No. 1 shirt, has watched from the sidelines since becoming eligible to play on July 9 with the opening of the North American transfer window – this given the strong play of incumbent Brad Knighton.
Knighton lost his starting job in preseason to Joe Cannon, but since earning the starting job back has played steadily behind a high-powered Whitecaps offense, posting a 6-2-2 record.
The Richmond, Va., native also earned MLS Player of the Week honors following a fine individual performance in the club’s first-ever win over a Cascadia rival on June 6, where he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory.
All this has meant Ousted has been left to observe rather than participate – but Rennie insists that’s not the worst way to start life in the league.
“Sometimes when players who are coming in from overseas have to play on the first day they’re available, I think that it’s been kind of tricky for them,” Rennie said. “I think we saw that a little bit with Kenny [Miller]. I think [Ousted] has had a little bit more time to settle in.”
As for Ousted himself, he admits his nature means he’ll only be happy to watch for so long – but he's trying to be a good teammate as he waits for his chance.
“I’m an ambitious guy,” Ousted said. “I was anxious the first day I got here to get in. I want to play. But I think it has a lot to do with hard work and a little bit of patience as well.”
Martin MacMahon covers the Vancouver Whitecaps for MLSsoccer.com.
