VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off their 2023 preseason camp this past weekend with medicals and testing as they prepare to compete in at least four competitions this year. The team trained at the Whitecaps FC National Soccer Development Centre this morning before departing on Tuesday afternoon for a camp in Marbella, Spain.
- Home Opener Packs are now available starting at $105 - includes first three home matches of 2023, while supplies last
'CAPS ARE BACK: Following the conclusion of Major League Soccer's offseason, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at the Whitecaps FC National Soccer Development Centre. Players had medicals and testing over the weekend and will have an on-field training session this morning before departing for Spain on Tuesday. This year will see the 'Caps compete in at least four competitions, taking part in MLS, Concacaf Champions League, Leagues Cup, and Canadian Championship play.
NEW FACES: There will be some new faces in the 'Caps squad including the most recent addition in centre back MathÃas Laborda, former CF Montréal centre back Karifa Yao, and three Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) players who have made the jump to the first team in goalkeeper Max Anchor, wingback Ali Ahmed, and forward Simon Becher. Camp invitees include 2023 MLS SuperDraft selection forward Levonte Johnson, 2022 MLS SuperDraft selection midfielder Giovanni Aguilar, centre back Daniël Krutzen, WFC2 midfielder Vasco Fry, attacking midfielder Jay Herdman, and forward Joe Hanson, as well as 'Caps BMO Academy keeper Cohen Park and wingback Mihail Gherasimencov. Midfielder J.C. Ngando, also selected in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, will join the team in Spain.
FAMILIAR FACES: Along with the new faces, the Blue and White have a total of 20 returning players from the 2022 roster, including Designated Players Ryan Gauld and Andrés Cubas. Gauld tallied eight goals as well as a team-high 11 assists across 29 starts and 32 appearances in all competitions in his second season with the club, while leading the team in key attacking categories including expected assists, expected goals, chances created, big chances created, shots, and shots on goal. Cubas, who arrived in Vancouver last summer, established himself as a key defensive cog, starting 19 of his 20 appearances across all competitions and leading the team in tackles won, as well as interceptions.
Whitecaps FC will kick off the 2023 MLS regular season in front of their home fans at BC Place, hosting fellow Western Conference side Real Salt Lake on Saturday, February 25.
- Secure the best seats for 2023 with Whitecaps FC season memberships, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets
The 2023 season will see the debut of MLS Season Pass, the unprecedented subscription service from Apple and MLS that will have every match of the regular season, Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, and Leagues Cup – all in one place and with no blackouts. As an exclusive benefit, Whitecaps FC 2023 Season Members will receive a subscription to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as significant savings over single match tickets.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC preseason roster:
Goalkeepers (4): Max Anchor, Isaac Boehmer, Thomas Hasal, Cohen Park*
Defenders (11): Ali Ahmed, Tristan Blackmon, Javain Brown, Matteo Campagna, Mihail Gherasimencov*, Cristián Gutiérrez, Daniël Krutsen^, MathÃas Laborda, LuÃs Martins, Ranko Veselinović, Karifa Yao
Midfielders (10): Giovanni Aguilar+, Sebastian Berhalter, Andrés Cubas, Vasco Fry, Julian Gressel, Jay Herdman, Jean-Claude Ngando, Ryan Raposo, Alessandro Schöpf, Russell Teibert
Attacking Midfielders/Forwards (9): Simon Becher, Déiber Caicedo, Cristian Dájome, Ryan Gauld, Kamron Habibullah, Joe Hanson*, Levonte Johnson+, Pedro Vite, Brian White
* - Whitecaps FC 2/Academy
^ - Unsigned Camp Invitee
+ - Unsigned MLS SuperDraft selection
MLS roster players away on loan:
Caio Alexandre - Fortaleza, through December 2023
