'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 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.

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?

Return of the Whitecaps: MLS is Back at BC Place

July 29, 2021 Christopher Vose

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.

Whitecaps steal victory from Toronto FC with 3 goals on 3 shots

September 5, 2020 Christopher Vose

Five minutes into the match, it would not be remiss to think that the Whitecaps were the away team, as they sat back, while Toronto, the actual away team, were the ones doing all the pressing. Vancouver was fortunate not to concede an early goal, as Toronto's running was breaking them apart.

It was all Toronto. The Reds had clear leads in terms of possession, corners, shots, both total and on target, crosses, passes, overall, in the opponents half, and the final third. The Whitecaps did have an answer, but it's not the kind of answer that is likely to lead to long term success.

Fresh faces and familiar finishes: Sporting beat Whitecaps 3-1

February 29, 2020 Christopher Vose

It has been said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Today was day 479th of the Marc Dos Santos era, and thus far, the 'Caps can boast if that is the word, an 8-11-16 record in all competitions, having scored 39 times, conceded 64, for a goal differential of -25. Meanwhile, 23 players have come in, 24 left, as well as an additional 12 who have both arrived and already departed, over the course of those 479 days. To say that that there has been significant turnover would be an understatement of the highest order.

And yet, despite this, little has changed. Just look at a sampling of what the supporters had to say on social media after the match.

Vancouver Whitecaps season mercifully comes to a close

October 6, 2019 Christopher Vose

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2019-10-06 Corey Baird and Érik Godoy.jpg

2019-10-06 Doneil Henry and Damir Kreilach.jpg

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2019-10-06 Russell Teibert and Ali Adnan.jpg

2019-10-06 Kyle Beckerman and Derek Cornelius.jpg

2019-10-06 Tosaint Ricketts and Nedum Onuoha.jpg

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2019-10-06 Nedum Onuoha, Doneil Henry, and Kyle Beckerman.jpg

2019-10-06 Fredy Montero and Justen Glad.jpg

The Vancouver Whitecaps capped off a disappointing season with a one goal loss to Real Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon. The 'Caps, after being eliminated from playoff contention 36 days ago, have played some of their best football of the season, going 2-1-1 over that span. It's only natural as the players have nothing left to play for except the often touted pride, and far more realistic contracts they hope to earn, either here, or elsewhere.

Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach scored the lone goal in a 28th minute effort. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando made five saves on the way to earning his 10th clean sheet of the season, in what amounted to his last ever league match, as he announced back in March that this would be his swansong. At forty years of age, it's not a decision he's likely to reverse during the close season.

'Caps rain on Rooney, end 85-day drought

August 17, 2019 Christopher Vose

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2019-08-17 Manchester United FC Supporter.jpg

2019 has not been kind to the Vancouver Whitecaps. After blowing up the squad that finished the previous year with a respectable, if not ideal, 13-8-13 record, and a sizeable -13 goal differential, changes were needed. They allowed too many goals, and didn't score enough. Clubs can sometimes get away with one, but never both.

Heading into tonight's match, the 'Caps sported a 5-9-12 record, with a -19 goal differential. Even more egregious is that Vancouver has not won a match at BC Place in almost three months. One's home is supposed to be their fortress, but BC Place has been anything but, with just three of those five wins coming at home.

Their most recent win, at any ground, was at the recently promoted FC Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium on August 3rd. Not exactly something to write home about.

Min United comeback to top Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2

March 2, 2019 Christopher Vose

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2019-03-02 Romario Ibarra and Maxime Crépeau.jpg

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It can be said that a football club is only as good as its spine. Much like the human vertebrae, the four central pieces of a club are its goalkeeper, senior centre back, central midfielder, and striker. Having missed last year's cup competition, both Vancouver and Min United made extensive changes to their spines during the winter.

Tonight, Vancouver pitched Maxime Crépeau, Érik Godoy, Jon Erice, and Fredy Montero against Min United's Vito Mannone, Ike Opara, Darwin Quintero, and Romario Ibarra. Of the eight, only Quintero and Ibarra are holdovers from 2018, both having joined mid-season. Perhaps it is telling that both players saw their name added to the score sheet. Stability counts for a lot.

'Caps show little in listless draw with Galaxy

March 24, 2018 Christopher Vose

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2018-03-24 Cristian Techera and Tomas Hilliard-Arce.jpg

2018-03-24 Jake Nerwinski and Tomas Hilliard-Arce.jpg

2018-03-24 Jorgen Skjelvik and Kei Kamara.jpg

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2018-03-24 David Bingham and Kei Kamara.jpg

I shall tell you of the story of the Battle of BC Place. Statisticians from the Major League will say I am liar, but stats are recorded by those who have sent off heroes. King Zlatan stayed home, safe and secluded in his Californian Castle, while the King of Cascadia was abroad, watering the meadows of France with Tunisian tears.

In the absence of King Kendall, the Cascadians were ably led by General Efrain Juárez, while Sebastian Lletget was at the head of the invading force. From the start, the Californians dug in. Between their wounded, and those who had deserted over battlefield concerns, they were in no position to wage an offensive campaign.

Experience and youth seal 'Caps victory over Montreal

March 4, 2018 Christopher Vose

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2018-03-04 Russell Teibert, Ken Krolicki, and Efrain Juárez.jpg

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2018-03-04 Drew Fischer, Efrain Juárez, and Kendall Waston.jpg

2018-03-04 Russell Teibert, Michael Petrasso, and Kendall Waston.jpg

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Kei Kamara has played almost 300 games in the Major League, and he's scored almost 100 goals, so when he speaks, it is with the voice of experience.

"He's good," Kamara said of Alphonso Davies, who set up Kamara's 99th tally, before adding his first. Together, they have a hundred league goals. "I watched him before I came to this [club and] I appreciate the way he plays."

"He's still a young boy. He did really well tonight."

Davies crossed the ball, virtually from the touchline, into the box, where Kamara headed it past Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush in the 63rd minute. A mere seven minutes later, Cristian Techera fed him the ball after seeing Davies' supporting run. Bush got a piece of the ball, but not enough to keep it from rolling across the line.

Fútbol en Vancouver: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Montreal Impact 1

March 4, 2018 Mynor Campos

2018-03-04 Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Montreal Impact (Campos).png

Kei Kamara scored on his debut for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 17-year old Alponso Davies scored the first Major League goal of his career, while Ignacio Piatti of the Montreal Impact pulled one back for the visitors, as they kicked of the 2018 season.

'Caps and Sounders Battle to Scoreless Draw

October 29, 2017 Canadian Press

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Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC combined for just one shot on target in a scoreless draw to open the second round of the League Cup on Sunday night.

Vancouver, which missed out by eight points last season, and Seattle, 2016 winners, kept things close to their chests at BC Place with neither side willing to take many risks.

The second leg of the two game aggregate series goes on Thursday at Seahawks Stadium.

The Whitecaps, who finished third in the Western Division, were coming off the club's first ever playoff victory — a 5-0 demolition of San Jose Earthquakes in Wednesday’s single elimination knockout round.

An open letter from Whitecaps FC captain Kendall Waston

October 23, 2017 Christopher Vose

Kendall Waston at BC Place on 10 August 2014. The 'Caps beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0.

Whitecaps captain and centre back Kendall Waston felt compelled to reach out to fans in advance of the team’s playoff game. Here is his message:

I didn’t know what to do.

I had just scored the biggest goal of my life. The goal that helped Costa Rica qualify for the 2018 World Cup. I wanted to run. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry.

I was just full of happiness.

It was a magical moment that I will never forget. People have been saying I’m a hero in Costa Rica now. I don’t know about that. I’m just happy to have helped make history for my country.

CHRISTOPHeR VOSE

Mynor Campos

Tyler Green