Whitecaps FC announce 2021 roster ahead of opening day

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Friday the club's 2021 opening day roster ahead of Sunday’s Major League Soccer regular season opener against Portland Timbers. Kickoff at the ‘Caps temporary home stadium in Sandy, Utah is set for 7:08 p.m. PT, with pre-match shows starting on AM730 at 6 p.m. PT and TSN 1/3 at 6:30 p.m. PT.

The 'Caps, who are roster and budget compliant following the April 16 deadline, currently have 28 players on the active roster, as well as two players away on loan.

Once again, Vancouver starts the season as one of the youngest teams in the league with an average age of 24 years and 260 days (24.71) - 16 players are 24 years or younger, nine players between 25 to 28 and three players are in their early thirties.

The active roster includes 22 returning players, five players who are in their first year in MLS with the ‘Caps, and Evan Newton who returns to the league from USL Championship side Indy Eleven. The longest tenure belongs to Russell Teibert, who is entering his 11th year in MLS with VWFC (13th year at the club). Lucas Cavallini and Ali Adnan are Designated Players, Bruno Gaspar joins on loan from Sporting Lisbon, and Caio Alexandre and Déiber Caicedo enter through the league’s new U-22 initiative. Adnan and 2021 MLS SuperDraft selection Javain Brown are not eligible this weekend as they are currently awaiting visa and work permit approval respectively.

There are eight products of the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System on the active roster in Teibert, Theo Bair, Michael Baldisimo, Isaac Boehmer, Gianfranco Facchineri, Thomas Hasal, Damiano Pecile, and Patrick Metcalfe.

Once again, Vancouver will field an international team, highlighted by 13 different birth countries from six different continents. Those countries include Canada (14), Colombia (2), United States of America (2), Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, Serbia. The ‘Caps have 11 internationals and hold 11 internationals spots through 2021.

Outside of the active roster, Whitecaps FC have two players away on loan in BMO Academy product Simon Colyn with Italian Serie B club SPAL, and Tunisian international Jasser Khmiri with USL Championship side San Antonio FC.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS Roster - April 16, 2021