David Edgar makes first good impression with Whitecaps

David Edgar wasted no time making a good first impression with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Edgar scored a goal and, more importantly, considering his central defender role, kept the ball out of Vancouver's net as the Whitecaps tied English Premier League side Crystal Palace 2-2 in an international soccer friendly Wednesday night at B.C. Place Stadium.

“It felt good to be out there and get good match sharpness,” said Edgar, a long-time Canadian international who signed with the Whitecaps recently as a free agent. “I actually felt quite up to pace. And, obviously, getting a goal in my debut in front of the home fans is a very good feeling.

Edgar, a 29-year-old Kitchener, Ont., native who has played more than 200 games in the EPL, was signed to shore up a back line that has struggled most of the Major League Soccer season. But he showed offensive flair as he headed in a Cristian Techera cross following a short corner-kick in the 50th minute. Playing 61 minutes, he also helped the Whitecaps keep the first half scoreless.

“I thought the first half, the first 20 or 25 minutes, was fantastic," he said. "They actually couldn’t live with us at some points. But they’re a good squad, they’re in their preseason, they’re getting up to speed and they’ve got three weeks to peak before they start the Premier League. But I thought, from my point of view, being involved in that, some of the movement and the creativity that was shown was exciting.” 

After Edgar left the game, Palace's Fraizer Campbell scored two goals in four minutes. That was not necessarily a true indication of Edgar's influence on the game, because both teams substituted liberally. As a result, Crystal Palace, which is in its pre-season, did not display true EPL form, and the Whitecaps used several USL players who were called up for the occasion. However, Edgar's performance was a good sign, considering that he will likely be asked to play a prominent role, as a starter or substitute, heading into the stretch drive of the MLS regular season and upcoming CONCACAF Champions League competition.

Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said Edgar displayed good soccer fundamentals with his defending, footwork, and reading of the play.

"He never puts himself in (vulnerable) positions," said Robinson. "Obviously he scored the goal. … It was a good positive 60 minutes for him, so I’m pleased with that.”

The friendly served as part of a shortened preseason for Edgar, who split last season on loans with, most recently, Sheffield United of England's League One and Huddersfield Town of the English Championship. He was out of contract, more commonly known as being a free agent, following his release from Birmingham City of the English Championship at the end of the 2015-16 season. 

He went through intense training with Whitecaps for about a week after signing with the club on July 11, but had also worked out with the club at times previously while auditioning for a contract. He has also worked out on his own for much of the summer.

Now, as the Whitecaps prepare to visit Houston Dynamo in league play, Edgar feels fit for regular MLS duty.

“I’m ready to go now when called upon," he said.