Vancouver FC adds defender Rocco Romeo from Valour FC

January 16, 2023 Christopher Vose

Vancouver FC announced the signing of free agent centre back Rocco Romeo today, ahead of the club's inaugural 2023 campaign in the Canadian Premier League.

Romeo became the club's sixth ever signing.

The 22-year old native of Toronto most recently represented Valour FC, having initially joined the club on loan from Toronto FC in 2021, before making the move permanent last year.

"I am grateful to Afshin [Ghotbi] and Rob [Friend] for their faith in me, as I begin this new chapter of my career in the Canadian Premier League with Vancouver FC," said Romeo.

Vancouver FC add left footed attacker in Nathaniel St. Louis

January 13, 2023 Christopher Vose

Vancouver FC added 23-year old striker Nathaniel St. Louis, most recently of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to their ever growing squad today.

"Nathaniel is an exciting young left-footed attacker who is goal dangerous with or without the ball thanks to his vertical movement," said Afshin Ghotbi, manager of Vancouver FC. "He has a bright future in the Canadian Premier League and beyond."

The native of Toronto led the Blazers in nearly all attacking categories in 2022, including goals, shots, and shots on goal.

Vancouver FC makes Kahlil John-Wentworth their fourth signing

January 12, 2023 Christopher Vose

On Thursday, Vancouver Football Club announced Kahlil John-Wentworth as the fourth player to sign with the club ahead of its inaugural campaign in the Canadian Premier League.

John-Wentworth, 21, most recently represented the Simcoe County Rovers in League 1 Ontario, where he logged 1,140 minutes and competed in the first two playoff matches in that club's history.

John-Wentworth scored one goal for Rovers in 2022, and was once named to the League 1 Ontario Team of the Week.

'Caps bolster backline with Mathías Laborda

January 9, 2023 Christopher Vose

Vancouver Whitecaps announced the signing of Uruguayan centre back Mathías Laborda on Monday morning. The free agent's contract runs through the end of the 2025 season.

The 23 year old started 82 of his 101 apperances with Uruguayan Premera División side Club Nacional de Football, helping the club to win the 2019, 2020, and 2022 Premera División title, while earning the Uruguayan Supercopa in 2021.

He added six goals, and one assist, during his tenure with the club. Having graduated from Nacional's academy system, he has represented Uruguay at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels.

'Caps going to Marbella

January 5, 2023 Christopher Vose

Vancouver Whitecpas FC are set to open their 2023 preseason camp on Friday in Vancouver, but will then travel to Marbella, Spain, on Tuesday, for a 12-day trip, which will include a friendly against German 2. Bundesliga side Hamburger SV on Wednesday, January 18. Kickoff at the Marbella Football Centre is set for 6 AM PST / 3 PM local.

Following their Spanish adventure, the 'Caps will train in Vancouver from January 25 to 28, before departing for Southern California, and the second phase of their preseason. They are set to play five matches over three weeks against Major League opposition at the 2023 Coachella Valley Invitational.

Vancouver FC's Technical Staff Taking Shape

January 4, 2023 Christopher Vose

With Afshin Ghotbi at the helm, ably assisted by Niall Thompson, and Mark Village as goalkeeping coach, Vancouver FC added Surrey's own Jeevin Kang as the Manager of Football Operations, and Abbotsford native Cortlin Tonn as equipment manager, formerly of Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Kang spent last year as Surry FC's full-time Director of Operations. He holds a Master of Business in Sport Management from Melbourne's Deakin University.

At the youth level, he managed Rowville FC and the Melbourne Victory Academy.

'Caps Caio to stay at Castelão through Christmas '23

December 28, 2022 Christopher Vose

Brazilian Série A side Fortaleza EC, in concert with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, have decided to extend Alexandre Caio's loan through December 31, 2023. The new agreement includes an obligation to purchase if certain performance based triggers are met. The midfielder originally joined Fortaleza on loan in August.

"Caio expressed his desire to remain with Fortaleza, and all parties agreed that this is the right path for him," said Axel Schuster, Vancouver Whitecaps FC sporting director. "We will continue to follow his progress and we wish him all the best in the upcoming season."

Caio, 23, scored one goal, and started 11 of his 12 appearances with Fortaleza last season, helping them to secure a spot in the 2023 Copa Libertadores qualifying round.

Tristan Blackmon’s penalty fires Whitecaps to second Voyageurs Cup crown

July 26, 2022 Christopher Vose

Vancouver Whitecaps finally claimed their second Voyageurs Cup as Ryan Gauld, Brian White, Julian Gressel, and Andrés Cubas duly scored from the spot after the match ended one apiece after regulation time ended. Domenico Criscito, Jordan Perruzza, and Federico Bernardeschi scored for Toronto, with only Jonathan Osorio hitting the post.

This meant that it all came down to Tristan Blackmon, a defender. Score and Vancouver would be off to the CONCACAF Champions League. Anything else, and Toronto would have the opportunity to equalise. Unnerved by the stakes, the 25-year old cheekily sent it straight down the middle, as Alex Bono dove to the right.

'Caps battle to scoreless draw against the visiting Revolution

June 26, 2022 Christopher Vose

The Vancouver Whitecaps extended their unbeaten streak to three matches in all competitions after settling for a scoreless draw against the visiting New England Revolution at BC Place on Sunday night. Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrović was forced to make six saves, while Cody Cropper had a far quieter night, devoting much of his time to trying to maintain his concentration. Curiously, New England held almost 60% possession, despite only creating two shots on target.

Lucas Cavallini started as the lone target man up front, coming close to breaking the deadlock in the dying minutes of the match. Andrés Cubas put in his first 90-minute shift for Vancouver, having come on as a substitute in Seattle, before starting against York and Dallas. Marcus Godinho, Leonard Owusu, Cristian Dájome, and Brian White each had a chance to separate things, but Petrović stood tall between the sticks.

Whitecaps draw a blank against New York City

March 5, 2022 Christopher Vose

If Vancouver Whitecaps FC's goalless draw with New York City FC is to be remembered, it will be for the "Stop the War Now" and "We Stand with Ukraine" efforts put on display Saturday night.

Prior to kickoff, Vancouver players wore white t-shirts bearing the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, captioned with "WE STAND WITH UKRAINE" in bold black lettering. The coaching staff wore similar white t-shirts with multicoloured "STOP THE WAR NOW" superimposed over the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine.

New York City FC Captain Sean Johnson, and his Vancouver counterpart, Russell Teibert, proudly walked in carrying Ukrainian flags, and sporting Ukrainian armbands.

Theo Bair joins Scottish Premiership club St. Johnstone FC

January 31, 2022 Christopher Vose

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have confirmed the sale of Theo Bair to Scottish side St Johnstone FC. The move continues Canadian striker's globetrotting, as he recently helped Hamarkameratene earn promotion to the Eliteserien, while on loan in Norway.

Bair featured 38 times for Vancouver, netting three goals, but had seen an uptick in form while at HamKam, where he scored four goals in only 17 matches. He will provide much needed firepower to the Saints, who are desperate to avoid relegation from the Premiership.

Bair will arrive in Perth, Scotland, later this week, and train with his new teammates ahead of Saturday's home match against Dundee United.

Western Sydney Wanderers part ways with Carl Robinson

January 30, 2022 Christopher Vose

Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson was sacked by Western Sydney Wanders on Sunday.

Robinson began the season under immense pressure after failing to guide the Wanderers to the playoffs last term.

"The Wanderers would like to thank Carl for his time at the club over the last one and half seasons, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours," read the statement from the A-League side.

"The club will shortly make an announcement regarding the head coach position for the rest of the season."

Javain Brown signs bumper Whitecaps contract with defender set to stay until 2024

January 24, 2022 Christopher Vose

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that Jamaican International Javain Brown has extended his contract though through the 2024 Major League season, with the customary "club option" for an additional year.

"We are very pleased to extend Javain's contract, and at the same time reward him for a successful first year," said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. "He is a great example, and reference of encouragement, for our 2022 SuperDraft selections. Throughout last season, Javain worked hard, stayed humble, and improved along the way. We look forward to helping him continue his growth as a member of our club."

Maxime Crépeau sale to LAFC down to a "very special personal situation"

January 20, 2022 Christopher Vose

Maxime Crépeau, who has arguably been Vancouver Whitecaps FC's most consistent and influential player since his arrival, is now a member of the Los Angeles Football Club. Sporting Director Axel Schuster has described the circumstances as a "very special personal situation," but did not elaborate much further.

"It was big enough, serious enough, that we understood we had to work on a solution together with him," said Schuster on Thursday after the trade was announced.

"He had to leave Vancouver to solve this problem."

In a statement, Crepeau thanked the club for working with him to find a solution.

White's goal helps 'Caps beat FC Dallas 1-0

September 25, 2021 Christopher Vose

In a battle of clubs hoping to benefit from the interim manager bump, Vancouver's Vanni Santoni came out on top, earning his third win in five matches, with Dallas' Marco Ferruzzi having to wait until at least Wednesday to get his first win since taking over Luchi Gonzalez on Sunday.

Brian White flicked home a header to give the Whitecaps the lead in the 20th minute, which despite necessitating some Maxime Crépeau heroics in a late penalty scare, they never relinquished.

Timbers chop Vancouver's 10-match League unbeaten streak

September 10, 2021 Christopher Vose

A second half own goal from Ranko Veselinovic was enough to give the visiting Portland Timbers all three points at BC Place on Friday night. The loss snapped Vancouver's 10-match unbeaten streak in the Major League, while extending Portland's clean sheet streak to three.

The win also put the Timbers atop the three-club Cascadia Cup table.

Godoy and Caicedo overturn Driussi goal to seal 'Caps comeback over Austin

September 4, 2021 Christopher Vose

Austin FC dominated the first half, outshooting Vancouver Whitecaps FC 7 - 1, with the home side's singular shot failing to find the target. Austin FC took a deserved lead on the stroke of halftime when a Cecilio Domínguez pass found Sebastián Driussi, who promptly headed it past goalkeeper Thomas Hasal, giving both sides something to talk about as they headed into the dressing room.

In the second half, Whitecaps interim manager Vanni Sartini made several adjustments, bringing Déiber Caicedo on for Bruno Gaspar, moving Janio Bikel to left back, and Cristian Dájome to right wingback.

The changes proved fortuitous as fifteen minutes into the second half, a Dájome cross found Érik Godoy, who levelled things at one apiece with a mighty header.

Vancouver puts Salt Lake to the sword 4 - 1

August 29, 2021 Christopher Vose

Having dismissed manger Marc Dos Santos after an embarrassing 4 – 3 loss to Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC in the Voyeurs Cup on Thursday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC were gifted with an ideal opponent to help lift their spirits. Real Salt Lake limped into Vancouver minus the services of Andrew Brody, Aaron Herrera, Damir Kreilach, Zac MacMath, David Ochoa, and Bobby Wood. Like Vancouver, they also had a manager with the interim label.

Sensing blood in the water, Vancouver took full advantage. But the match was not nearly as dominant as the score line might suggest, anymore than the 4 – 3 loss was reflective of a close match against Pacific. It wasn't.

The difference is that Salt Lake had no bite. They actually had an advantage in possession, passes, passing accuracy, and duels won. But once they got into the attacking third, they disappeared. Salt Lake only had one corner to Vancouver's ten, yet the shots and shots on goal were much closer.

'Caps Get Gauld against LAFC, but they still need Silver and Bronze

August 21, 2021 Christopher Vose

Home advantage is something that has been sorely lacking for Vancouver Whitecaps FC these past 539 days. It's hard to have home advantage when you don't actually play in your home city, province, or even country. It has been so long since the 'Caps last took to the pitch at BC Place, that for many of them, tonight was their first actual match in Vancouver, and certainly their first match in front of the often touted 'best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver'.

On nights like these, it can be easy to drink the Kool-Aid, to think that yes, maybe, just maybe, the 'Caps might climb out of the cellar, and challenge for cup competition. The league, well, that was gone a long time ago. But yes, the League Cup is still on the table.

But ask yourselves this: Is simply qualifying for a place in the League Cup what you really want?

Late Dájome goal rescues point for Vancouver against Minnesota

July 31, 2021 Christopher Vose

In what should prove to be Vancouver Whitecaps FC's final "home" match in Salt Lake City, the hoops managed to snatch a stoppage time equaliser with Minnesota United FC thanks to a controversial penalty decision awarded by referee Lukasz Szpala.

In the 92nd minute, Cristian Dájome appeared to come from behind to foul Ethan Finlay, as Dájome initiated contact by wrapping his left leg around Finlay's right leg, sending both tumbling to the ground in the box. Neither player had possession at the time, and Finlay did have position on Dájome.

However, Szpala immediately pointed to the spot, meaning that VAR (Video Assistant Referee) could only overturn it if it were clear and obvious, something that video replays leaned towards, but may not have reached quite that standard.

CHRISTOPHeR VOSE

Mynor Campos

Tyler Green