Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

February 4, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - This season will be Darren Mattocks's fourth season with the Vancouver Whitecaps organization. The Jamaican international has entered preseason training camp with a rejuvenated, focused, and exciting demeanour about him. It didn't take long for Mattocks to express his current state of happiness.



"I feel like I'm in a really good place right now."



Carl Robinson offered Mattocks the opportunity to go on trial for one week each with English Championship side, AFC Bournemouth, and Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Goteborg in January. Despite the lousy weather Mattocks enjoyed his time learning the different tactics, and approaches from The Cherries and IFK Goteborg.



"I spent a week in England, and then I spent a week in Turkey with IFK Goteborg. It was a really good experience to take back. I would say in England the speed of play, it's a bit more faster. I think with IFK, I think they want to pass more so that's really good."



The 24 year-old Mattocks finished the 2014 campaign second on the Whitecaps in goals (6), assists (3), and shots on target (23). Coming into this season Carl Robinson has talked to Mattocks about the importance of finishing your chances and hitting the target more. Darren Mattocks can use his pace to beat a trio of MLS defenders, but it doesn't mean much if he doesn't hit the target. To his credit Mattocks isn't shying away from what he needs to work on.



"I always need to work on stuff... possession, putting the ball in the back of the net. Hold up play, and getting behind defenders. As a striker you've always got to look to improve every single tip of your game. I've just got to be a student of the game all year around."



With all the airports, hotels, time zone changes, and sleep disruptions this offseason Mattocks has found a way to return to the Whitecaps in excellent top-level shape. During fitness testing Mattocks record his best results since joining the Whitecaps organization, and he sees his busy offseason as a big positive.



"This has been by far my busiest offseason. I'm not going to say that's a bad thing, that's actually a good thing. Anything that can help me with my career that's definitely something I can take forward."



#WhitecapsFC's @DarrenMattocks today. "I'm fit, sharp, and really healthy. (I've) got to give God thanks for all of that." #MLS #VWFC — Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) January 30, 2015 The Portmore, Jamaica native, should figure into Carl Robinson's opening day lineup if he can show his strengths, and abilities during the Whitecaps seven preseason fixtures. Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh, and the newly signed Octavio Rivero will also compete for playing time up top this season. Mattocks knows that bringing in new players will help grow the clubs identity, attitude, and playing structure.



"It's always good to get news guys on the team because the culture we're building here is success. We welcome anyone on board that wants to be a part of our successful team."



In recent times, Darren Mattocks has often had his name mentioned when it comes to transfer gossip. He is no stranger to being the player that Whitecaps supporters and media love to talk about. Mattocks prefers to do his talking on the pitch and he takes all the outside noise in stride.



"There's always going to be speculation about Darren. I never really give it too much thought because I already know what I need to do."



Darren Mattocks isn't going anywhere just yet. Whitecaps fans will have to sit patiently as Carl Robinson and the Whitecaps coaching staff show their trust in Mattocks for the 2015 season. Judging by his attitude thus far, Mattocks is well on his way to having a productive MLS season in Vancouver.



Notes: The Vancouver Whitecaps have added trialists Robert Earnshaw, Kalif Alhassan, Dane Richards, and Christian Cavallini to their training camp squad in Tucson Arizona. Kay Banjo, the Whitecaps second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft has left the club to pursue playing options outside of North America.