Whitecaps FC add midfielder Tiago Ulisses

VanCityVilla · Post edited by VanCityVilla at 2012-08-03 10:13:42

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the acquisition of Tiago Ulisses - pending receipt of his Visa. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Tiago is a young and promising holding midfielder. He is strong on the ball and a solid tackler,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “The addition of Tiago offers us more depth in midfield and a player that we feel will do well in Major League Soccer.”

Whitecaps FC midfielder Tiago Ulisses - Fifteen league appearances for Botafogo Futebol Clube in the 2012 Brazilian Série A1 - Scored one goal in 11 appearances for Esporte Clube Noroeste in the 2011 Brazilian Série A2 - Spent seven years with Brazilian giants Sport Club Corinthians Paulista

Ulisses, 23, comes to Whitecaps FC after making 15 appearances in 2012 for Botafogo Futebol Clube, who play in Série A1 of the Campeonato Paulista, which is the top division in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. In 2011, Ulisses scored one goal in 11 appearances for Esporte Clube Noroeste in the second-tier Campeonato Paulista Série A2.

Fynnsky

Quick GoF! Write an article as fast as you can!

Blue_and_White_Army

Thanks, Tommy Soehn Scouting Network! :(|)

bili

I first read Tiago Useless when I got the email.

I hope that's not a sign of things to come.

Proggie

how did he enter the Whitecaps' radar, i wonder

Elisant

Well judging by his work rate from that video the team provided, he looks like a solid acquisition.

Neeskens1974

Tasty

rovers_adam · Post edited by rovers_adam at 2012-08-03 10:26:27

Song Candidate #1: ulysses them tune anyone?

Ulysses, Ulysses, soaring through all the galaxies, in search of Earth, flying in to the night. Ulysses, Ulysses, fighting evil and tyranny, with all his power, and with all of his might.

Ulysses, no-one else can do the things you do. Ulysses, like a bolt of thunder from the blue. Ulysses, always fighting all the evil forces bringing peace and justice to all.

Seathanaich · Post edited by Seathanaich at 2012-08-03 11:10:45

Corinthians Paulista are current Brazilian champions and one of the biggest in Brazil, so his apprenticeship was at a very good club.

EDIT: Bummer. He wasn't with Botafogo FR in 2012, one of the big four in Rio; he was with Botafogo FC in Sao Paulo, a fairly minor club. Sure, they play in the Sao Paulo state league, but in the national pyramid they're so far down I can't find them even in Serie D on this site:

http://eurorivals.net/tables/brazil.html

Those highlights are all from his time with Noroeste, which is also so far down the national pyramid that I don't see them in Serie D.

Jay_Duke

Never heard of him, but seems to have some decent pedigree and looks like he has pace and some bite from the video (as useless as most agents videos are.)

Actually kind of reminds me of Koffie in the videos in how he holds, turns, and runs.

Look forward to seeing him in person.

DCallow · Post edited by DCallow at 2012-08-03 10:25:22

The thing that worries me is that he has had 8 yellows in 11 games in 2012 (3 of those yellows came as a sub). Hopefully he turns out to be a younger better version of Juan Marques Davidson (sp).

Elisant

A quick search online brought up a video with some more of his solid play:

youtube.com/watch?v=TYytTxojqTs

prawnsideFC

All the guys saying whitecaps need to add more South Americans have got there wish...

smoothmedia

Song Candidate #1: Franz Fedinand - Ulysess

Skip to 1:06.

cixceven

bili said: I first read Tiago Useless when I got the email.

Glad I wasn't the only one!

DannyBoy · Post edited by DannyBoy at 2012-08-03 10:27:19

smoothmedia said: Song Candidate #1: Franz Fedinand - Ulysess
Skip to 1:06.

Good call.. Was just about to post this too...

ibeep · Post edited by ibeep at 2012-08-03 10:29:26

Seathanaich said:

Botafogo, one of the big four clubs from Rio de Janeiro, are fairly unique in world football (certainly among older clubs) in wearing grey in their uniform - in their case, they wear black and white striped jerseys, with grey socks. Their insignia is a single white star on a black shield.

@Seathanaich, do you ever read Paul Lukas' www.uni-watch.com blog? I think you should do something similar here. You've written a few times passionately about the (relatively) unique hoop the Whitecaps used to have, and discussed a few other uni's around the world, so I think you should start a thread discussing uni's. I know I'd be interested in reading about that.

Did anyone else feel like they were watching a player similar to Koiffe in that video clip? I'm happy to see Martin Rennie and Co. being proactive in strengthening our roster. It's great to see them not being complacent with a possible playoff team.

ETA: Jay_Duke beat me to the Koiffe comp.

bili

I love the highlight at 18 seconds. How is that a highlight? He couldn't control the ball and had to tackle it away from the opposition.

And the one goal they show is a deflection.

He seems quite slow. I'm sure he'll have a role.

Good point above - how the hell did this guy end up on their radar?

GoF · Post edited by GoF at 2012-08-03 10:31:47

Here's our piece http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3572-Tiago-Ulisses-Martin-Rennies-Brazilian-odyssey

ETA - Typically it gets announced when I head off on a break. FFS.

ibeep · Post edited by ibeep at 2012-08-03 10:34:51

bili said: I love the highlight at 18 seconds. How is that a highlight? He couldn't control the ball and had to tackle it away from the opposition.

And the one goal they show is a deflection.

He seems quite slow. I'm sure he'll have a role.

Good point above - how the hell did this guy end up on their radar?

I'm always glad to have Bili around. Sometimes I get too excited about a new player that I start to envision how he can help the team. It's good to have Bili to keep me in check reminding me that he's no Pepe. Looks like we have no chance against Barca this year.

cixceven

GoF, your article makes it sound like this might be a contract through the end of the year; an extended trial, if you will. Any basis to that, or am I reading in something that isn't there?

I'd be happy to see this be a 6 month + 1yr club option, regardless of salary.

Seathanaich · Post edited by Seathanaich at 2012-08-03 11:16:20

Bummer. Unfortunately, he was at the little "Botafogo" in Sao Paulo, not the big one in Rio, so no grey socks for him. The little Botafogo is in the Paulista league for state competitions, but sadly nowhere near the national Serie A. That lowers the expectation level for this player a fair bit. He will struggle to displace any of our current midfielders.

ibeep said: @Seathanaich, do you ever read Paul Lukas' www.uni-watch.com blog? I think you should do something similar here. You've written a few times passionately about the (relatively) unique hoop the Whitecaps used to have, and discussed a few other uni's around the world, so I think you should start a thread discussing uni's. I know I'd be interested in reading about that.

Thanks for the kind words and the tip, Ibeep - I will check out that blog. I definitely enjoy the uniform / insignia / heraldry side of football. Here are photos of my (incomplete) jersey collection, if you're interested. I have three Brazilian jerseys: Fluminense FC in their maroon and green stripes as champions in 2010; SC Corinthians Paulista (away black) in their centenary kit; and Cruzeiro from a few years ago with their classic "Southern Cross" insignia. Surely I should offer a prize to anyone who can identify all these kits without consulting the internet!

https://www.facebook.com/drew.shaw.925/photos#!/media/set/?set=a.3645239803039.153869.1035696166&type=3

bili

ibeep said:

bili said: I love the highlight at 18 seconds. How is that a highlight? He couldn't control the ball and had to tackle it away from the opposition.

And the one goal they show is a deflection.

He seems quite slow. I'm sure he'll have a role.

Good point above - how the hell did this guy end up on their radar?

I'm always glad to have Bili around. Sometimes I get too excited about a new player that I start to envision how he can help the team. It's good to have Bili to keep me in check reminding me that he's no Pepe. Looks like we have no chance against Barca this year.

Do you think he'll replace Davidson? I consider him our weakest link at this point so I hope this guy has enough to be an upgrade.

Jay_Duke

Now that "King Eric" is no longer a cap, can we already don him King Ulisses?

bili

Maybe hold off on the nicknames until they play game... or get on the gameday roster.

Fynnsky

Jay_Duke said: Now that "King Eric" is no longer a cap, can we already don him King Ulisses?

Can't we use King Kenny since Liverpool are done with it?

Jay_Duke

Am I the only one who remembers the "King of Ithica" reference?

Canadianspur

Jay_Duke said: Am I the only one who remembers the "King of Ithica" reference?

yes

capsclown123

When is the earliest he can be played, if played?

ibeep · Post edited by ibeep at 2012-08-03 11:28:03

bili said: Do you think he'll replace Davidson? I consider him our weakest link at this point so I hope this guy has enough to be an upgrade.

Honestly I don't know. I'm just mad at you because whenever I see his name I keep reading it as useless now.

GoF

cixceven said: GoF, your article makes it sound like this might be a contract through the end of the year; an extended trial, if you will. Any basis to that, or am I reading in something that isn't there?

I'd be happy to see this be a 6 month + 1yr club option, regardless of salary.

No I think it's a longer deal. Didn't mean to imply that.

More just don't expect him to jump in as a starter right away. Rennie will want to look at what he can bring.

There is a chance he could displace Davidson.

He looks strong and as I said in my article, we've been told he's very much like Seattle's Alonso.

I think his play in the attacking third lets him down a little from his highlights.

He's certainly going to put himself about though. Watch those bookings come!

ibeep

Seathanaich said:

https://www.facebook.com/drew.shaw.925/photos#!/media/set/?set=a.3645239803039.153869.1035696166&type=3

I tried the link, it didn't work, not sure if it has something to do with your privacy settings?. You can add me on facebook if you want (Aman Loodu) and that also goes for anyone else who wants to friend a fellow Southsider.

Seathanaich

Hey Aman. I've reset that photo album to "Public". Please let me know if you can now access it:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3645239803039.153869.1035696166&type=3

Cheers.

tim13

Ulisses, 23, ..... Ahhh now that is more like it. Yes getting all the vets in to make the club competitive now is great but you can't go on forever on the old geezers, as impressive as some of them are (I'm a talkin bout you Mr Lee!!).

From what I've watched of the Brazil leagues on TV (about 10-20 games a year total) it is surprisingly physical. His yellow card rate reminds me of Gersh :)

On another note Salgado was out of cast.

ibeep

Good Lord. That's a lot of shirts.

Fynnsky

tim13 said: On another note Salgado was out of cast.

Great news!

capsclown123

How many international spots do we have left? 1?

bili

Seathanaich said: Hey Aman. I've reset that photo album to "Public". Please let me know if you can now access it:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3645239803039.153869.1035696166&type=3

Cheers.

Doesn't work for me.

shekers

capsclown123 said: How many international spots do we have left? 1?

0

O'Brien and now Ulisses took it all up. If there are any more additions, it'll either be domestic or some sort of trades. LONG time before Sept 15 though...

capsclown123

does lensky count as a domestic or an international player? heard rennie might be interested in signing him.

Elisant

capsclown123 said: does lensky count as a domestic or an international player? heard rennie might be interested in signing him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Lensky

His place of birth is shown as Vancouver - therefore he should be domestic.

Elisant

Elisant said:

capsclown123 said: does lensky count as a domestic or an international player? heard rennie might be interested in signing him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Lensky

His place of birth is shown as Vancouver - therefore he should be domestic.

The following link spells it out in detail - I was assuming his birth in Canada would classify him as a citizen.

mlssoccer.com/2012-mls-roster-rules

"Players with the legal right to work in Canada are considered Canadian domestic players (i.e., Canadian citizen, permanent resident, part of a protected class)."

Rico

GoF said:

More just don't expect him to jump in as a starter right away. Rennie will want to look at what he can bring.

There is a chance he could displace Davidson.

He looks strong and as I said in my article, we've been told he's very much like Seattle's Alonso.

From Rennie's interview on MLS.com

"He's a little bit different type of player to the ones we have in midfield. He's not Rino Gattuso, but he has a similar style. He's aggresive, wins the ball and moves it quite well, so we just want to get him into our environment and look forward to seeing how he does."

Rennie described Ulisses as a specialist defensive midfielder, which means he’ll likely be in direct competition with current starter Jun Marques Davidson – but the coach insists the spot is Davidson’s to lose.

FootyMonster

Seathanaich said: Hey Aman. I've reset that photo album to "Public". Please let me know if you can now access it:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3645239803039.153869.1035696166&type=3

Cheers.

Never thought I'd see anyone here with that Hajduk Split third jersey, I've the same one. Impressive collection, mine number in the around the same number but they're mostly from South America. Cheers!

Canadianspur

capsclown123 said: does lensky count as a domestic or an international player? heard rennie might be interested in signing him.

He's as Canadian as Rochat.

Jay_Duke

For those who thought Ulisses was plucked from the upper echelons of Brazillian football, AFTN tweeting that he was pulled not from THE Botafogo, but from the Sao Paulo Provincial league Serie A, more or less the 5th tier of Brazillian football.

ynwasouthside

Sounds like this was a referral from Marc Dos Santos.

Neeskens1974

Jay_Duke said: For those who thought Ulisses was plucked from the upper echelons of Brazillian football, AFTN tweeting that he was pulled not from THE Botafogo, but from the Sao Paulo Provincial league Serie A, more or less the 5th tier of Brazillian football.

Yeah, the BIG Botafogo plays in top tier Rio league and national championship.

shekers · Post edited by shekers at 2012-08-03 17:49:11

Lol, the more i read into the Brazilian structure, the more confused I am. There's like 3 different teams named Botafogo, albeit all named differently in their full name. The team where Tiago Ulisses is from is this team, as seen in their "current" roster.

pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botafogo_Futebol_Clube_(Ribeir%C3%A3o_Preto)#Elenco_2012

This Botafogo is ranked 39th according to Brazilian Football Confederation (thanks to @whitecapsbeat) http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranking_da_CBF#O_ranking_atualizado

So no, not THE Botafogo in the National Series A.

SAFC_Yank

Brazilian football has always been a confusing, and often, fluid, mess, but ...

If I understand correctly, many teams play in both the national league and the state league. So, while you might designate the Paulista fifth division, in fact, major clubs like Corinthians, Santos and Palmeras play in it, and sit at the top of the table. It appears about half the top division in Sao Paulo play in one of the four levels of the national league, and about half of those in the top division of the national league.

Confused yet?

GoF

Yeah my head was hurting trying to work stuff out.

The reason I said fifth tier, was based on the my following dodgy logic.

Teams at the top of the Serie A1 go to the quarter finals and can play in Serie A, B, C or D depending on various factors. The bottom teams get relegated to Serie A2.

Botafogo finished one point off relegation and fell into a spot where they were neither in the four Brazilian National Leagues nor relegated, so I went with trying to base it on Uk style tiering and said that would make them a tier 5 club.

Then twitter and my brain melted! :))

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