We’re pleased to introduce to you our latest columnist here at AFTN and he’s a man very well known to Vancouver supporters and fans throughout MLS and the CONCACAF region – Whitecaps and Panama striker, Blas Pérez.

Every month Blas will pen a few lines about what’s been happening as a player on the pitch and give us a personal look at the man off it. We’re just easing into the new column gently, seeing how it will work best, but if there’s anything you’d like Blas to talk about or find out about Super Ratón, then let us know in the comments and we’ll see what we can do.

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It is not the start to the season that we hoped to have. The team is fighting the full 90 minutes and staying positive and not going to give up.

In practice, we are seeking to correct those details in which we are failing and I am sure we will come back to win. The season is long and the journey has just begun. We haven’t lost hope!

This weekend I get to experience my first Cascadia Cup derby.

I always want to play, live each match to the most, and it excites me to add another derby in my career. The match will be close and hotly disputed. Seattle are a good team, and Seattle is a rival of respect that has not had a good start. Both teams will fight for those three points. They have the pressure of being at home and having to impress their crowd. We must take advantage of that point. It will be a great match.

I have played in many derby matches in my career. I don’t have one favourite or special one. For a football player or a fan, every derby, or classic, is unique and special matches. They are very unique in a different way.

I’ve played in big derby matches in Colombia, Mexico, here in MLS with Conference or the Texas derby rivals. At international level I’ve played in matches against rivals such as Costa Rica, Honduras and even Mexico. Rivalries that, athletically speaking, have increased in recent years, turning them into special matches.

Talking of special. Last Sunday was a special day for me as I turned 35-years-old.

My family is in Panama, so it was a bit difficult to not be able to celebrate that day together with them. A group of Panamanians here in Vancouver prepared me a small party. Really I am very grateful to them. It was a very beautiful and special detail.

Vancouver is a lovely city. Thanks to the club and to my teammates who have also helped me to adapt to life in this city. I’ve gone to a few restaurants, experienced the traffic, and I have used the bus system.

For now I’m alone in the city, but among my teammates, the Panamanians in Vancouver and friends, I feel comfortable and at ease and I am very grateful to all of them.

Until next time.

Blas