Vancouver Whitecaps signing Alain Rochat admits he is surprised by the pace of the game with his new club.
The former Young Boys, Rennes and FC Zurich left-back is preparing for his debut MLS season with the expansion franchise and says he has been pleasantly surprised by the intensity of the pre-season matches he has experienced so far.
"For 90 minutes, you really have to give everything and I like the way MLS teams play and how they can move," he told the Vancouver Sun.
"It's more physical [than the Swiss Super League]. Maybe we're a little bit more tactical [in Europe] but as far as running and intensity, it's better here."
Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson is delighted with the contribution the 28-year old has made so far but urged him to become more of a leader with his voice.
"In the last game, he was really helping [teenager] Russell [Teibert] in front of him [at left mid] -talking to him and trying to guide him and I want him to do more of that," he said. "That will come."
