The 2023 season kicks off on Saturday, and it's a fresh slate for every team and player in the league.
Before we get into the list, we should give also give a shout out to several Whitecaps FC Homegrown players to also keep an eye on, including Isaac Boehmer, Matteo Campagna, and Kam Habibullah.
Now with preseason done and dusted, here are five players for the 'Caps who could earn themselves bigger roles this season.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Ecuador has the eyes of many, with his world-class playmaking ability already teasing fans in 2022.
Vite ended last season strong after breaking into the starting XI for the final five matches and recording two goals and an assists.
Now, can he take that next step and become a key player over the full season for Whitecaps FC?
You could argue that last season was already the breakout season for Raposo, a year in which he took the Young Canadian Player Award at the Canadian Championship.
Last year he transitioned from more of an attacking role to a wingback, and this season he is taking another step as a fullback in a back four.
Preseason results were promising for the man known as El Pollo, so expect a big role for him in 2023.
Simon Becher joined the 'Caps as the 16th overall selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
The 23-year-old spent his first season with the club in MLS NEXT Pro, leading Whitecaps FC 2 with eight goals. He also took advantage of his chances, scoring a crucial goal in his MLS debut at BC Place late in the season.
His hard work paid off as he signed a first team contract this offseason. A full preseason also saw him get on the scoreboard, and with an extremely busy schedule this year he'll be pushing for more time and more goals.
The 22-year-old Canadian also benefitted from a year with Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
After leading the team with five assists as a wingback, he was named WFC2 Player of the Year and signed an MLS contract with the 'Caps.
Preseason also showed promising signs getting up and down the pitch, and like Becher he will be continuing to work for his opportunities over a long season.
Karifa Yao is hard to miss.
The 6-foot-2 centre back joined the 'Caps through the MLS Re-Entry Draft this offseason from CF Montreal after thriving in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) with Cavalry FC the past two years.
Yao is not afraid to step into a tackle and showed his abilities in preseason. With depth at the back vital over these four competitions, there is a very good chance 'Caps fans will get a look at the Canadian sooner or later.
