Coming off a Canadian Championship in season 10, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions management have decided to keep the team more or less the same as last year. Only three free agent signings were made, all of who will strengthen the depth of a strong Lions roster.
Here is the list of free agent signings by the FCW Lions this off-season:
31 year old - Lassana Douillard (Canada) GK - $196,000 p/y 1-year
30 year old - Dossevi Leeds (Canada) D - $256,000 p/y 1-year
29 year old - Layton Pichot (Canada) D - $126,000 p/y 1-year
Both Leeds and Pichot will see playing time off the bench, and will help to strengthen the depth at the defense position. Douillard will be the backup goalkeeper to Martha, and although he knows he will not be acquiring a lot of playing time, he could not pass up the opportunity to play for a championship caliber squad.
"Martha is one of the most talented young keepers I have seen play the game. At 31 years old, I have opted to choose a substitute role in order to be a mentor to a fantastic talent. In reality, it might be him who teaches me a few things though" Douillard said with a laugh. "I know I will not receive much playing time, I knew that coming in, but I could not pass up the opportunity to play with such talent, and have a chance at a championship ring".
In other news, long time backup goalkeeper Phil Digby was released, and announced his retirement shortly after. He started 131 games making 419 saves over eight seasons with the FCW Lions. "It was a good run, I love the city of Winnipeg, and loved the team. I feel the talent of the league has outgrown me, and at age 33, am ready to move onto other things" said Digby.
Many players were available for comment, including James Walton, who has won a Canadian Championship two years in a row. First with Leo July, now with the Royal Lions.
"I think we have all had a good off season. Training has started up and everybody seems to be in shape. In this day and age, teams are ever changing. It is nice to see the same faces back again this year. It helps the chemistry, and I know from the past two years, teams do in fact need chemistry to bring home the title" - James Walton
Captain Trevion Collins who turned 37 years old last week agreed. "We all had fun celebrating the championship, but now it is back to work. It's nice to see familiar faces, this is a good team, there was no reason to make major changes. I can't wait for the season to begin, I feel we can challenge for another title. If the race is as tight as last season, it should be exciting" said Collins.
23 year old Boudewijn Martha now has both a league championship, and a world championship in just five years with the Lions. "I play football because it's fun, I enjoy it, and I love the sport. It is more fun when you win however. I challenge myself to play my best every game, and give my team a chance to win week in and week out. We all need to play our best. I need to make the saves, Eggy (Eglisfield) has to score, Cabby (Cabese) has to defend. Everyone else needs to do their job as well. Last year it was a whole team effort to win a championship. This year will be no different" Martha stated.
Rumors swirling around a new set of jerseys for the team were confirmed, and should add to the excitement of the new season. The new jerseys will be unveiled tomorrow in the press grounds of the MTS Centre. Fans are welcome to join the team in the announcement. Loic Eglisfield, and Loïc Cabese will be present to help unveil, and try on the new jerseys. They will be signing autographs, and we will be auctioning off two brand new FCW Lions jerseys signed by the two players. All funds will go to charity.
An important date to put on your calender is 7/27, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions season opener against Fantasista Futbal Club. The Lions' home opener is on 7/28 against LJ Gang Green, the second place team that finished a single point behind the Royal Lions last year. It is highlighted to be one of the best games all year so get your tickets, the game is almost sold out!
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