'Caps bolster backline with Mathías Laborda

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.

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'Caps going to Marbella

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.

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'Caps Caio to stay at Castelão through Christmas '23

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.

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Theo Bair joins Scottish Premiership club St. Johnstone FC

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.

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

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."

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

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.

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Late Dájome goal rescues point for Vancouver against Minnesota

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.

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Return of the Whitecaps: MLS is Back at BC Place

On August 21st, 2021, barring any further developments, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will take the pitch at BC Place against Los Angeles FC. It will be the first time in 339 days, nearly a full calendar year, since the last time Vancouver Whitecaps FC took the pitch at BC Place, that one being a 3 – 1 victory over the then Montreal Impact. It has been so long that Montreal Impact changed its name to CF Montreal in the interim.

The Whitecaps will play their remaining 2021 home matches at BC Place after the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Minister of Immigration approved a National Interest Exemption that outlines stringent health and safety protocols allowing for all MLS players to participate in cross-border matches.

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'Caps fail to finish off LAFC, settle for stalemate in Southern California

A pair of first half goals from Déiber Caicedo and Cristian Dájome were enough to get Vancouver a point, but not the win, in a 2 – 2 draw with Lo Angeles FC on Saturday in Southern California.

Caicedo took the lead in the 25th minute thanks to a defensive error by Los Angeles after a Dájome cross into the box. When the ball popped looe, Caicedo pounced for an easy tap-in. Dájome doubled the lead in the 38th minute, heading it into the far post off a Cristián Gutiérrez free kick.

The Black and Gold cut that lead just two minutes later, thanks to brilliant effort by Carlo Vela. Originally ruled offside, the decision was later reversed by VAR (Video Assistant Referee). Later in the second half, José Cifuentes levelled things at two apiece.

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Lucas Cavallini at the 2020 Major League Media Day

Lucas Cavallini, who signed with Vancouver Whitecaps in December, had some interesting things to say at Media Day in Los Angeles on Friday.

"I liked everything, I really loved it, it was sad to leave because it was an incredible league where many doors opened to me, people have treated me and my family very well, it was a very nice experience and I hope one day I can return there," Cavallini said of former club Puebla FC.

"But the return of life is unknown and I will be grateful to Mexico and also to Puebla, a city where two of my three children were born. I will always take it to Mexico in my heart," he added.

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