Barbara barbs ramp up rivalry
Forward rebukes treatment he got from Impact
ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s only a preseason game, but it is the Vancouver Whitecaps against the Montreal Impact. And what meeting between these Canadian rivals could possibly be complete without a little controversy?
Forward Etienne Barbara won’t play for the Whitecaps tonight in their first of three games at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic (5 p.m., live on Mlssoccer.com).
He’s out at least two months with a sports hernia and remains unsigned, though a contract agreement is coming.
But he did unintentionally add some fuel to the fire for what should instantly become one of MLS’S better rivalries.
During a lengthy interview after Thursday’s practice, Barbara casually mentioned that he was following Martin Rennie from the Carolina Railhawks to the Impact, until the coach changed course and agreed to terms with the Whitecaps.
There were rumours last year that Rennie was the Impact’s top coaching target, but Rennie never spoke to the subject.
“I was going to Montreal in the beginning since Martin was going there,” Barbara said.
“He spoke to me in the middle of the season and they [Montreal] had my discovery rights, so everything was matching. But as soon as the Vancouver thing came along, it changed.”
The Whitecaps announced the Rennie hire on Aug. 9.
The Impact named longtime Chicago Fire and Chivas midfielder Jesse Marsch as their man on Aug. 11.
“The club has found the head coach that we were looking for,” Impact owner Joey Saputo said at the time.
However events transpired, it’s at least fresh fodder for a pair of fan bases that love to trade barbs and consider conspiracy theories.
The juicy one after January’s Superdraft was that, despite needing a forward, the Impact selected Duke defensive midfielder Andrew Wenger first overall because they knew Vancouver wanted him.
University of Akron striker Darren Mattocks then “fell” to the Whitecaps at No. 2.
“The club has found the player that we were looking for,” a Whitecaps official might as well have said then.
Spite as a draft strategy? Seems rich, but with these teams, one learns not to rule too much out.
Barbara does have a beef with the Impact. That’s no secret, and it will, of course, endear him to the locals.
He’s said previously that the Impact gave him a lowball offer and basically held him to ransom because they had his MLS discovery rights.
In January, the Whitecaps traded their second-overall supplemental draft pick, Mexican defender Gienir Garcia, to Montreal for Barbara’s rights.
“They couldn’t control the decision from Martin but they could control me,” said Barbara, a 29-yearold from Malta, a tiny island in the Mediterranean.
“Obviously I assumed they didn’t want me, since they made me a terrible offer to start with. When I spoke with [sporting director] Nick De Santis, he told me if Vancouver were in the same position they would have done the same thing.
“I said, ‘So you’re just doing it because it’s Vancouver, basically?’ And he never replied back.”
Barbara did add that he loves “the way they look at soccer in Montreal,” and he appreciates the fans there.
Both clubs certainly have more pressing issues on their mind, like the March 10 season opener; wouldn’t you know it, Montreal at Vancouver.
The Whitecaps used Thursday’s practice to work on attacking movements and transition, while Barbara worked his core on the sideline with physiotherapy guru Rick Celebrini.
The sports hernia was discovered in mid-january after Barbara left his first Whitecaps practice early with abdominal pain.
“I consider myself lucky that I ended up here, finding physiotherapy with Rick,” Barbara said. “I have complete trust in him.”
Despite the injury, Barbara, who led the NASL with 20 goals last season, is close to a deal.
Rennie has expressed confidence in Celebrini’s ability to get Barbara healthy, and the player has enough faith in Rennie to negotiate without an agent.
Barbara is married to an American and the club hopes he’ll be approved for a green card so they won’t need to find another international roster spot. Teams can trade for more.
“We’re just discussing the last couple of issues,” said Barbara. “I trust Martin that he will always try to do the best for me, and I always give my utmost on the pitch for him. I’m just looking forward to being with the team so I can contribute myself.”
He’s selling himself short. For Whitecaps fans, any contribution to this rivalry, even off the field, is much appreciated.