‘A really handy player to have’

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This article was published 13/07/2021 (1553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Valour FC’s defensive system continues to impress coaches and fans alike in part due to the team’s addition of a technically sound defender in Andy Baquero.

The Cuban born athlete, who turns 27 in August, is very grateful to have the opportunity to play at the professional level in Canada.

“First of all I’d like to thank Valour FC for thinking of me and having me on the team,” said Baquero.

“My decision was rather to stay in Canada to fulfill my dream of being a professional soccer player, which I couldn’t in Cuba. They didn’t let me be there.”

In his first season with the club, Baquero has logged 384 minutes through Valour’s first five matches, averaging 77 minutes a game. Atop the CPL standings, Valour has only surrendered a league best two goals, in part from four clean sheets recorded by lead goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, and a defensive system that is locked in, according to Baquero.

“Well, it’s simple,” said Baquero.

“We not only go out to get a clean sheet, we try to do it well and we really have a very good group that is working on all this, both in defense and attack. We take it game by game so that the results keep coming out as before.”

Valour head coach Robert Gale has spoken fondly of Baquero’s performance this season through the first five games.

“He’s logged an enormous amount of minutes and that’s the best credit to any player,” said Gale.

“We’re giving him the full trust, right. He’s just an intelligent player, he’s very good technically, he doesn’t panic. When teams are pressing you and you’re in the heat, I think that’s important.”

Gale explained how the defender’s versatility gives the team options for their starting 11 each game.

“He’s got a sort of tactical versatility to his game because he’s played as a centre midfielder and as a fullback,” said Gale.

“We’ve used him in a wingback kind of hybrid role where he’s sort of stepping out into the midfield to exploit some spaces for us, and we use his defensive qualities as a fullback. He’s a really handy player to have in your squad with that level of calm technique and tactical versatility.”

Gale says acquiring Baquero on time for the start of the bubble proved to be challenging based on the defender’s need of an international transfer certificate. An ITC is a certificate provided from one FIFA member association to another to arrange the transfer of a player between countries. A process Gale was told could take from six to eight weeks.

“It was funny because we were a little unsure how quickly we could get him in,” said Gale.

“When we have a smaller squad, it was important to bring him in. In our first game, we had to put him in straight away without too much lead time for him.”

Baquero now has the chance to play at a higher level in the sport that has meant a great deal to him and link another interest of his to the game of soccer.

“I love football, it is my passion, it is what I have done since I was little,” said Baquero.

“My first training session, I remember telling (assistant coach) Damian (Rocke), I told him that football was a party for me and I would go out at every game to enjoy my party. So that’s why I enjoy myself so much, apart from writing songs. I have songs written, so I love to link music with football.”

Gale says having the personnel healthy has contributed to Valour’s defensive system as a whole. The head coach acknowledged how the CPL can be the right fit for international players looking to grow their game.

“If I look at the coaches across the league, there’s a vast amount of experience in working with youth players, youth internationals, an understanding of different systems, tactics and principals that lend itself to develop I would say,” said Gale.

“It’s kind of the purpose of the whole league. The personnel, the league and ethos behind everything welcomes that. It allows a player the chance to come join the league and grow.”

Baquero says he loves the competitiveness of the league and is learning a little more each game. Next up for Valour is another match against Atlético Ottawa, July 15, at 4 p.m.

jbernacki@freepress.mb.ca@JosephBernacki