Footballers hit their next level

Kian Proctor scoring his last goal for TSS Rovers in a 7-1 rout over Burnaby FC last season. Last night he turned pro in a debut for the ages. Photo by Residual image for AFTN

The North American soccer season is slowly awakening from its winter slumber. This week the CONCACAF Champions Cup competition got underway with several Canadian teams in the mix for the continental championship. Last season the Vancouver Whitecaps made it to the final only to be pummelled by Mexican giants Cruz Azul 5-0 in Mexico, who won their seventh title. Last night, Vancouver FC debuted in the competition. They are the Canadian Premier League team who finished last in the league last year but qualified through the fact that they made it to the Canadian Championship Final against the sam Whitecaps. And the team they faced was Cruz Azul.

It was an underdog story of the highest order and there was almost no chance of VFC scoring goals, let alone winning this first leg, even at home, in front of a pretty full house, on a mild mid winter west coast night. Indeed Cruz Azul won 3-0, but the game held some special significance for our TSS Rovers FC owners and supporters, because two of our former players dressed for VFC.

Marcello Polisi marked his return to Canada with his first start for VFC. He played for our Rovers teams pre-pandemic from 2017-2019 appearing in 32 games as a stalwart defensive midfielder. He then moved to the Canadian Premier League first for Halifax Wanderers and then the late departed Valour of Winnipeg. After two years there, he moved to Detroit City FC in the USL where he played alongside a number of other Canadians in Danny Dichio’s side. This winter he signed for VFC, coming home to play and last night he started and he looked terrific. He will be a key piece of the VFC midfield going forward this year as they try to finally put together a decent season after three season of being the worst team in the league.

The other notable appearance last night was Kian Proctor, who subbed in at 64′ for VFC and made his professional debut last night. Kian is a tall, strong full back, who also plays as a forward and is a set piece threat. Kian played 40 games for us from 2023-2025 and is still only 20 years old. Because the CPL has under 21 roster rules, I reckon Kian has locked his spot. To appear for the first time against Cruz Azul is magnificent and he looked absolutely the part. Sometimes you see a footballer who rises to every challenge they face and you really don;t know what they are capable of. Marcello and Kian both represent those kinds of players and last night we witnessed the beginning of a next level for a talent who is still learning his game. This domestic season – which doesn’t start for another three months! – will be one to watch for Kian.