Whitecaps FC Development Squad Centre-Back, Gianfranco Facchineri on Friday, October 4, 2019. Photo: Har Journalist.
VANCOUVER, B.C – You can never have enough defenders, especially at the centre-back position. Every top football club needs a commanding, confident anchor at the back. Finding that type of defender is easier said, than done. Vancouver Whitecaps FC could be on the verge of developing a rising superstar centre-back with the brightest of futures.
Gianfranco Facchineri has been training with Whitecaps FC’s first team on and off since mid-August. The 17-year-old Whitecaps FC Development Squad player hasn’t put a foot wrong since earning minutes with Vancouver’s top group.
“It’s been an experience I’ll never forget,” Facchineri explained to Har Journalist. “I’ve loved every second of it, I’ve learned more training with them in the past last little bit, than in years of not training with the first team. It’s been a great experience, and I’m really really thankful for it. Hopefully they’ll be more experiences to come with them.”
While some teenagers might be worried about making a mistake, or getting beat one on one, that’s not the case with Facchineri. He has exceptional instincts, composure, and an astute mentality that you simply can’t teach. He’s not at all rattled by sharing the training pitch with names like Fredy Montero, Yordy Reyna, and Ali Adnan.
“There’s always a little bit of nerves training with older guys,” Facchineri admitted. “Especially these guys, you grow up watching some of these guys on TV. There’s obviously nerves, but the thing is, when you’re out there playing football, it doesn’t really matter. If you’re doing what you love to do, there’s no nerves whatsoever.”
The Windsor, Ontario native, isn’t being treated with kid gloves. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Facchineri is starting to get some ribbing from Whitecaps FC veterans. He views any advice as positive encouragement that will help.
“Obviously, there’s going to be some difficulty playing with these guys. If you make a mistake, they’re going to let you know that you’ve made a mistake. It’s not Sunday league, they’re going to let you know that you messed up, but that’s what you want. They’ve all welcomed me with open arms. They’ve all been really really helpful.”
Earlier this week, Facchineri was named to Canada’s U-17 World Cup squad. While that alone is a great feat, he will also wear the captains armband. Canada will train in Argentina from October 11 – 22.
Canada will kickoff Group A action on Saturday, October 26 against the hosts, Brazil.
“He’s developing nicely.” Vancouver Whitecaps FC Development Squad Head Coach, Nick Dasovic said.
“First and foremost, he’s a great character, good kid, honest, works hard.” Dasovic added. “A team leader, and he’s growing as a player. Marc’s (Dos Santos) had him in with the first team, and he’s liking some of the components he has. He’s somebody that’s willing to grow with the football club. He’s still got a long way to go. The biggest thing for him is his humility. He’ll train with Marc, and he’ll thank him for training. It’s small little details that show he’s a good person.”
Might there be a future first team MLS contract on the table for Gianfranco Facchineri?
Whitecaps FC Coach Marc Dos Santos wasn’t about to spill any tea.
“He has a physical presence about him,” Dos Santos explained. “He has a very good mentality. He’s a good kid, wants to learn. It’s still early to asses him in an MLS reality. It’s going to be a good experience for him at the World Cup playing in such a tough group. Brazil, Angola, and New Zealand, it’s not going to be easy. We want to see how he goes about things there. Hopefully it will push him up to be one of the kids that joins us in preseason.”
In his first full year with the Whitecaps FC Academy, Facchineri has already taken home an award. On September 24, he was named 2019 BMO RESP Academy Male Player of the Year. His father, Antonio, flew in from Ontario to see his son take home the honour.
Whether he’s in Vancouver or elsewhere, Facchineri’s goal is to be a professional footballer.
“My goal in soccer, in general is to have a career in the game that I love,” Facchineri explained. “If that career can come with the Vancouver Whitecaps, I’d love it. I watch Doneil Henry, Derek Cornelius, (Erik) Godoy, play. Watching all those guys play, it’s great. I hope to be one of those guys one of these days.”
Growing up in an Italian household, Facchineri looked up to football greats like Gennaro Gattuso, and Giorgio Chiellini.
His favourite player is a Napoli born legend.
“I watched the 2006 World Cup with my family,” Facchineri said. “They had Fabio Cannavaro. He’s always been an idol for me. I have a couple of posters up in my room.”
Gianfranco Facchineri is a Whitecaps FC prospect to keep an eye on. He could be MLS bound, delivering crosses, marking opponents, and dishing out meaty tackles before you know it.
In the mean time, he will be loading up on his favourite Italian pasta dish.
“My Nonna’s penne, if I’m being honest.”
HAR JOURNALIST Sports Media 