2023 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2023 soccer season
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Football team season
The 2023 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season was the club's twelfth season in Major League Soccer , the top division of soccer in the United States and Canada . Including previous iterations of the franchise , this was the 46th season of professional soccer being played in Vancouver under a variation of the "Whitecaps" name.
Having won the 2022 Canadian Championship , the Whitecaps participated in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time since the 2016–17 edition and third time overall.
Current roster
As of September 15, 2023[ 2]
No.
Name
Nationality
Position
Date of birth (age)
Previous club
Goalkeepers
1
Thomas Hasal
GK
(1999-07-02 ) July 2, 1999 (age 25)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
18
Yohei Takaoka
GK
(1996-03-16 ) March 16, 1996 (age 28)
Yokohama F. Marinos
50
Max Anchor
GK
(2004-07-21 ) July 21, 2004 (age 20)
Whitecaps FC 2
60
Isaac Boehmer
GK
(2001-11-20 ) November 20, 2001 (age 23)
Vancouver Whitecaps Development Squad
Defenders
2
Mathías Laborda
DF
(1999-09-15 ) September 15, 1999 (age 25)
Nacional
3
Sam Adekugbe
DF
(1995-01-16 ) January 16, 1995 (age 29)
Hatayspor
4
Ranko Veselinović
DF
(1999-03-24 ) March 24, 1999 (age 25)
Vojvodina
6
Tristan Blackmon
DF
(1996-08-12 ) August 12, 1996 (age 28)
Charlotte FC
7
Richie Laryea
DF
(1995-01-07 ) January 7, 1995 (age 29)
Nottingham Forest
12
Karifa Yao
DF
(2000-09-28 ) September 28, 2000 (age 24)
CF Montréal
14
Luís Martins
DF
(1992-06-10 ) June 10, 1992 (age 32)
Sporting Kansas City
23
Javain Brown
DF
(1999-03-19 ) March 19, 1999 (age 25)
South Florida Bulls
61
Matteo Campagna
DF
(2004-06-27 ) June 27, 2004 (age 20)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
Midfielders
8
Alessandro Schöpf
MF
(1994-02-07 ) February 7, 1994 (age 30)
Arminia Bielefeld
16
Sebastian Berhalter
MF
(2001-05-10 ) May 10, 2001 (age 23)
Columbus Crew
20
Andrés Cubas
MF
(1996-05-22 ) May 22, 1996 (age 28)
Nîmes
22
Ali Ahmed
MF
(2000-10-10 ) October 10, 2000 (age 24)
Whitecaps FC 2
25
Ryan Gauld
MF
(1995-12-16 ) December 16, 1995 (age 29)
Farense
26
J.C. Ngando
MF
(1999-11-20 ) November 20, 1999 (age 25)
UNC Greensboro Spartans
27
Ryan Raposo
MF
(1999-03-05 ) March 5, 1999 (age 25)
Syracuse Orange
30
Kamron Habibullah
MF
(2003-10-03 ) October 3, 2003 (age 21)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
31
Russell Teibert
MF
(1992-12-22 ) December 22, 1992 (age 32)
Vancouver Whitecaps (USSF-D2)
45
Pedro Vite
MF
(2002-03-09 ) March 9, 2002 (age 22)
Independiente del Valle
Forwards
11
Junior Hoilett
FW
(1990-06-05 ) June 5, 1990 (age 34)
Reading
24
Brian White
FW
(1996-02-03 ) February 3, 1996 (age 28)
New York Red Bulls
28
Levonte Johnson
FW
(1999-03-15 ) March 15, 1999 (age 25)
Whitecaps FC 2
29
Simon Becher
FW
(1999-07-20 ) July 20, 1999 (age 25)
Whitecaps FC 2
Out on Loan
7
Déiber Caicedo
FW
(2000-03-25 ) March 25, 2000 (age 24)
Deportivo Cali
8
Caio Alexandre
MF
(1999-02-24 ) February 24, 1999 (age 25)
Botafogo
Transfers
In
Transferred in
#
Position
Player
Transferred from
Fee/notes
Date
Source
22
MF
Ali Ahmed Whitecaps FC 2
Free
November 16, 2022
[ 3]
12
DF
Karifa Yao CF Montréal
Re-Entry Draft Stage One
November 17, 2022
[ 4]
29
FW
Simon Becher Whitecaps FC 2
Free
[ 5]
26
MF
J.C. Ngando UNC Greensboro Spartans
2023 MLS SuperDraft /Generation Adidas
December 21, 2022
[ 6]
50
GK
Max Anchor Whitecaps FC 2
Homegrown player
January 1, 2023
[ 7]
2
DF
Mathías Laborda Nacional
Free
January 9, 2023
[ 8]
18
GK
Yohei Takaoka Yokohama F. Marinos
Undisclosed
February 17, 2023
[ 9]
9
FW
Sergio Córdova FC Augsburg
Undisclosed/Designated Player
February 20, 2023
[ 10]
28
FW
Levonte Johnson Whitecaps FC 2
Free
June 30, 2023
[ 11]
3
DF
Sam Adekugbe Hatayspor
Undisclosed
August 2, 2023
[ 12]
11
FW
Junior Hoilett Reading
Free
September 14, 2023
[ 13]
Loans in
Out
Transferred out
#
Position
Player
Transferred to
Fee/notes
Date
Source
12
GK
Evan Newton Retired
Option declined
October 18, 2022
[ 15]
15
MF
Janio Bikel FC Khimki
18
FW
David Egbo
33
MF
Michael Baldisimo San Jose Earthquakes
Out of contract
2
DF
Marcus Godinho Korona Kielce
Option declined
November 14, 2022
[ 16]
9
FW
Lucas Cavallini Club Tijuana
17
MF
Leonard Owusu Odd
26
DF
Florian Jungwirth Retired
Out of contract, retired
28
DF
Jake Nerwinski St. Louis City SC
Option declined
55
GK
Cody Cropper Orange County SC
87
FW
Tosaint Ricketts Retired
13
DF
Derek Cornelius Malmö FF
Undisclosed
December 15, 2022
[ 17]
3
DF
Cristián Gutiérrez Toronto FC
Claimed off Waivers
December 15, 2022
[ 18]
11
FW
Cristian Dájome D.C. United
$350,000 GAM + $200,000 conditional GAM
April 25, 2023
[ 19]
19
MF
Julian Gressel Columbus Crew
$550,000 GAM + $300,000 conditional GAM
July 21, 2023
[ 20]
9
FW
Sergio Córdova Alanyaspor
Undisclosed
September 15, 2023
[ 21]
Loans out
MLS SuperDraft picks
Preseason
Competition overview
Competition
First match
Last match
Starting round
Final position
Record
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Win %
Major League Soccer
February 25
November 5
Matchday 1
Playoffs - Round One
36
12
12
12
57
54
+3
0 33.33
Canadian Championship
May 10
June 7
Quarter-finals
Winners
3
3
0
0
9
2
+7
100.00
CONCACAF Champions League
March 8
April 11
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
4
1
0
3
7
9
−2
0 25.00
Leagues Cup
July 21
August 4
Group Stage
Round of 32
3
1
2
0
5
4
+1
0 33.33
Total
46
17
14
15
78
69
+9
0 36.96
Major League Soccer
Regular season
League tables
Western Conference
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Overall
Source:
MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(V) Canadian Championship winner
Notes:
Results
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
Pts
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
34
48
12
10
12
55
48
+7
8
3
6
35
19
+16
4
7
6
20
29
−9
Last updated: October 21, 2023 Source: [citation needed Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Ground H A H A A H H A H H A A H A H H H A A A H H H H A A A A A A H H A H Result L L D D D W W D D W L L W L W D D D W L L W W L W W D W L L D W D D Position (West) 11 12 11 11 11 9 8 8 9 7 8 7 7 8 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 8 8 7 5 6 4 5 5 6 5 5 6
Updated to match(es) played on October 7, 2023. Source:
[ 28] A = Away;
H = Home;
N = Neutral;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
Matches
MLS Cup Playoffs
The Whitecaps clinched a playoff berth on October 4, following a 3–0 win against St. Louis City SC . On October 7, Vancouver ensured that they would receive a bye into Round One of the playoffs following a 0–0 draw against Seattle Sounders FC guaranteeing them a home playoff game for the first time since 2017 .[ 29]
Round One
Los Angeles FC won the series 2–0.
Canadian Championship
As champions of the 2022 tournament , the Whitecaps received a bye into the quarter-finals.
CONCACAF Champions League
Round of 16
^ Vancouver was initially scheduled to host the second leg, but the order of legs was reversed due to scheduling conflicts in BC Place.
Quarterfinals
Leagues Cup
Group stage
The Vancouver Whitecaps qualified to the Leagues Cup group stage as a wildcard team. They were drawn into West Group 3 .
Knockout stage
Cascadia Cup
2023 Cascadia Cup standings
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
6
3
1
2
9
8
+1
10
2
Portland Timbers
6
2
2
2
11
8
+3
8
3
Seattle Sounders FC
6
1
3
2
6
10
−4
6
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
Pts
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
W
L
T
GF
GA
GD
6
10
3
2
1
9
8
+1
2
1
0
5
3
+2
1
1
1
4
5
−1
Last updated: October 7, 2023 Source: Standings Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference
Statistics
Appearances and goals
As of November 5, 2023
Goalscorers
As of November 5, 2023
Clean sheets
As of November 5, 2023
Disciplinary record
As of November 5, 2023
References
^ Kennedy, Paul (October 22, 2023). "MLS breaks attendance record" Soccer America . Retrieved October 25, 2023 . ^ "Players + Vancouver Whitecaps FC" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Retrieved September 15, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC sign MLS NEXT Pro wingback Ali Ahmed to an MLS contract through 2025" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC select former CF Montréal centre back Karifa Yao in Stage 1 of MLS Re-Entry Draft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC sign MLS NEXT Pro forward Simon Becher to an MLS contract" . Major League Soccer. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC select Generation adidas midfielder J.C. Ngando fifth overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC sign BMO Academy goalkeeper Max Anchor to MLS pre-contract and MLS short term agreement" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. May 21, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC sign Uruguayan centre back Mathías Laborda" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC acquire J1 League Best XI goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC acquire Venezuelan international striker Sergio "La Pantera" Córdova" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC sign MLS NEXT Pro forward Levonte Johnson to an MLS contract" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian international, BMO Academy graduate Sam Adekugbe" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian international Junior Hoilett" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian international wingback Richie Laryea" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC announce roster updates and post-season training" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC announce additional 2023 roster updates" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC transfer defender Derek Cornelius to Swedish side Malmö FF" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022 .^ "Toronto FC Acquire Defender Cristián Gutiérrez" . Toronto FC ^ "Whitecaps FC acquire up to $550,000 in GAM from D.C. United in exchange for Cristian Dájome" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC receive up to $850,000 in General Allocation Money from Columbus Crew in exchange for Julian Gressel" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC transfer forward Sergio Córdova to Turkish side Alanyaspor" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC extends midfielder Caio Alexandre's loan to Fortaleza EC through 2023" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC loan forward Déiber Caicedo to Colombian side Junior FC" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023 .^ "Whitecaps FC select Generation adidas midfielder J.C. Ngando fifth overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC select Canadian forward Levonte Johnson 29th overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC select Canadian centre back Daniel Nimick 42nd overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .^ "Whitecaps FC select centre back Buster Sjöberg 71st overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .^ "Vancouver Whitecaps Schedule" . Retrieved September 23, 2018 .^ Felipe Vallejo (October 7, 2023). " . Whitecaps FC. Retrieved October 8, 2023 .
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