Some interesting news today out of Vancouver is that midfielder Jacob Lensky is on trial with the Whitecaps.
Vancouver, BC, native Jacob Lensky on trial this week with #WhitecapsFC yfrog.com/kjt0qocuj
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) April 19, 2012
Sportsnet.ca writer Martin MacMahon was at the team’s practice on Thursday and tweeted this out:
Jacob Lensky on trial with #WhitecapsFC. He might play in Sunday’s reserve match.
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) April 19, 2012
I asked Lensky if he looks at this return as ‘unfinished business.’ He said no, a ‘new beginning.’ #WhitecapsFC
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) April 19, 2012
A 23-year-old native of Vancouver, Lensky began his career as a youth player with several different European clubs (including Celtic, Blackburn and Anderlecht) before landing with Dutch team Feyenoord. He only made one appearance with the club before announcing his retirement from soccer in 2008.
In 2009, he went on trial with the Whitecaps when they were still competing in the USL (one division below MLS) and came out of retirement that same year when he signed with Utrecht in the Netherlands. But he failed to catch on, making only four appearances for them this season.
At one time, Lensky was considered a promising Canadian prospect (he played at the under 20 and under 23 level). But he caused a stir in 2009 when he turned down an invitation from coach Stephen Hart to play for Canada’s senior national team so that he so that he could turn out for the Czech Republic’s under-21 side.
He made a handful of appearances for the Czech Republic (his father’s birth nation) at youth level, but never graduated to the senior team.