Emil Gazdov already has plenty of memories of Vancouver91裸聊视频檚 B.C. Place. The one he91裸聊视频檒l add Tuesday is likely to top them all.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper from North Vancouver, B.C., will take the field for Pacific FC as the Canadian Premier League club aims to upset Major League Soccer91裸聊视频檚 Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 really cool just being able to play against them, especially at B.C. Place,91裸聊视频� Gazdov said. 91裸聊视频淏ecause as a kid, I would go and watch (Whitecaps) games there. 91裸聊视频� So being able to play there and against them in my home city is really cool.91裸聊视频�
The six-foot-five netminder has faced the 91裸聊视频楥aps before, including during the first leg of the two-game aggregate semifinal in Langford, B.C., back on July 10.
Vancouver ultimately took a 1-0 decision in that game, but Gazdov drew praise for a four-save performance that included a highlight-reel-worthy stop on 91裸聊视频楥aps sniper Brian White in the 49th minute.
The American striker sent a blistering header in from the top of the six-yard box, only to see Gazdov dive sideways and poke the ball out of harm91裸聊视频檚 way. White responded with disbelief, simply shaking his head.
On the Pacific bench, goalkeeper Trevor Stiles could barely contain his glee.
91裸聊视频淚 was giddy. I had a big giddy smile,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ecause I know that91裸聊视频檚 Emil. I know that91裸聊视频檚 what Emil can be on a regular basis.
91裸聊视频淎nd I know a lot of people see that in Emil, but for him to showcase that in the Canadian Championship against the Whitecaps? Big players come out in big moments, right? And for me, that91裸聊视频檚 showing to himself, to our club, to other clubs, MLS clubs, that this guy91裸聊视频檚 the real deal.91裸聊视频�
Part of what impressed Stiles about the save was Gazdov91裸聊视频檚 non-reaction. It91裸聊视频檚 taken the young 91裸聊视频榢eeper a lot of work to get to a place where he can make an incredible save and act as if nothing happened, the coach said.
And reaching that level of focus and control shows Gazdov is on track to achieve big things.
91裸聊视频淚 truly feel he can be someone that could be Canada91裸聊视频檚 No. 1 for years to come, he can find himself playing in a top league in the top four or five countries, in those leagues,91裸聊视频� Stiles said.
91裸聊视频淎nd as well, he91裸聊视频檚 a big, nice, happy young man. Sometimes a kid, but we91裸聊视频檒l call him a young man. Someone you want to see do well and hit those markers, hit those goals and make those achievements happen.91裸聊视频�
Gazdov came up through the Whitecaps91裸聊视频� academy system where he worked alongside some of the players he91裸聊视频檇 idolized growing up, including Danish 91裸聊视频榢eeper David Ousted.
91裸聊视频淚 remember my first week there, I was working out in the gym 91裸聊视频� and I was working out right next to him,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t was a pretty critical moment for me, just to watch this guy on the field growing up, and now I91裸聊视频檓 in the same club, in the same gym, working out next to him.91裸聊视频�
Gazdov signed his first professional contract with Pacific as a 17-year-old back in June 2020, then went out on loan to FC Nurnberg in Germany in October of the same year.
The netminder returned to Vancouver Island in 2022 and took over the club91裸聊视频檚 No. 1 spot to start the 2023 campaign, backstopping the team to a 11-10-7 regular-season record and an appearance in the CPL playoff semifinals.
The 2024 season has held mixed results for Pacific, who are 5-9-5 in league play and mired in a six-game (0-5-1) winless skid after dropping a 1-0 road decision to Cavalry FC on Saturday.
While the CPL side heads into Tuesday91裸聊视频檚 semifinal as the underdogs, Gazdov takes a lot of confidence from his personal performance in the first leg.
91裸聊视频淥bviously, I know in myself, I believe I can be at that level and play,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ut then to be able to actually show it, for me that was really nice.91裸聊视频�
Another young B.C. 91裸聊视频榢eeper will feature in Tuesday91裸聊视频檚 game, too, with Isaac Boehmer getting the start for Vancouver.
The 22-year-old from Penticton, B.C., came up through the Whitecaps91裸聊视频� academy with Gazdov.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e taken different paths but, look at that 91裸聊视频� we91裸聊视频檙e playing against each other again,91裸聊视频� Boehmer said. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 always exciting.91裸聊视频�
Vancouver boasts an 11-8-5 record in MLS play this season but hasn91裸聊视频檛 seen game action since Aug. 7 when they were ousted from the Leagues Cup with a 2-0 loss to Mexican side Pumas UNAM.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 always strange when in the middle of the season, you have to do this long break. But it happens,91裸聊视频� Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said of the layoff.
91裸聊视频淲e tried to do two different things: give some rest at the beginning, and then train a lot, push, push, push, and work on the way that we want to do things for the next 10 games in MLS, and then the Canadian Championship.91裸聊视频�
Boehmer won91裸聊视频檛 have much rust to shake off after playing for MLS Next Pro side Whitecaps FC 2 during the break.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e full of confidence going into the second leg. Team91裸聊视频檚 prepared, we91裸聊视频檙e ready to rock 91裸聊视频榥91裸聊视频� roll,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淵eah, we91裸聊视频檙e 1-0 up. But that doesn91裸聊视频檛 really matter anymore. We just want to focus, play a good game and get through to the next round.91裸聊视频�
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