:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45164002/usa-today-7501906.0.jpg)
The official start to the 2015 MLS season may still be two very, very long months away, but for Vancouver Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson and his coaching staff the preparations to get the squad ready for opening day are very much underway.
The Whitecaps announced this morning that Darren Mattocks, who was second in team scoring with 6 goals in 2014, has joined English club AFC Bournemouth for a training assignment until January 11th.
Mattocks is the latest Whitecap to head over to the UK for an off-season training stint and follows teammates Christian Dean, Sam Adekugbe and others, who had the opportunity this past autumn to train with world-renowned clubs such as Rangers FC and English giants Liverpool.
Bournemouth, who play Norwich City on Saturday, currently lead the Sky Bet Championship with 48 points and have won their previous five matches. The top two teams in the Championship, plus the playoff winner are promoted to the Barclay's Premier League.