It was a historic year for the Vancouver Whitecaps last season. The club reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League and finished third in the Western Conference. Eliminated by Seattle after knocking out San Jose 5-0 in the MLS Cup playoff knockout stage the Vancouver Whitecaps spent their preseason in Hawaii and California.
Despite losing Colombian superstar striker Fredy Montero, who has returned to his old club Sporting in Portugal, head coach Carl Robinson has assembled an exciting squad. Signing Kei Kamara, from the New England Revolution, Anthony Blondell, from Venezuelan club Monagas, as well as Efraín Juárez, from Monterrey, and trading for José Aja, from Orlando City, Whitecaps fans can be excited about the new faces brought in during the offseason.
The Whitecaps will be looking to build on last season’s success by once again challenging for one of the top spots in the West and winning a Canadian Championship that would see them return to the CONCACAF Champions League.
Whitecaps open season with all-Canadian affair against rival Montreal Impact.
When: March 3, 3:00 p.m.
Where: B.C. Place
Broadcast: TV – TSN 1 and 3; RADIO – Vancouver 1040 | 1410 TSN
Live stream: MLS Live
The buzz: Marketed as a Canadian derby, the rivalry between Vancouver and Montreal is perhaps somewhat overplayed. For Vancouver, the Cascadia Derbies against the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders have bigger significance, and for Montreal, it is all about the big 401 Derby against Toronto FC. Nonetheless, this will be an intriguing all-Canadian clash between two highly competitive sides.
Other key matches
Saturday, July 21, at Seattle Sounders – The first clash between the two Cascadia Cup rivals. There will be more than just points in the Western Conference on the line when these two rivals from the Pacific Northwest meet.
Saturday, July 7 vs Chicago Fire – Bastian Schweinsteiger is coming to Vancouver. Perhaps the most prominent MLS signing since David Beckham Schweinsteiger will make his first appearance at BC Place.
Saturday, August 11, at Portland Timbers – An important away date in the fixture calendar of any Vancouver Whitecaps fan. Part of the Cascadia Cup rivalry this game always sees busloads of Vancouver fans travelling south to Oregon to support their Vancouver Whitecaps.
Sunday, October 28 vs Portland Timbers – Vancouver close out the season against one of their two biggest rivals.
Check out the full 2018 schedule here.
Quotes & Notes
The big question mark going into the season remains the future of defender Tim Parker. Vancouver and Parker are in a logjam over agreeing on a new contract. Vancouver are supposedly in trade talks with clubs from the Eastern Conference that could involve General Allocation Money and Targeted Allocation Money. Should Parker be traded expect more movement on the transfer front.
Biggest offseason moves
- The Vancouver Whitecaps failed to sign top goal scorer Fredy Montero, who was on loan from Tianjin TEDA, on a permanent deal. The Colombian has joined Sporting in Portugal.
- Vancouver brought in Anthony Blondell and Kei Kamara. Both are typical power forwards that could fit better into Robison’s pressing style of football than Montero. Blondell will also add some much-needed youth and energy to Vancouver’s attack.
- Signed experienced Mexican international Efraín Juárez from Monterrey. Juárez adds much-needed depth on the right-back position and can also be used in midfield.
- Acquired José Aja in exchange for $125,000 of 2019 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), $100,000 of TAM if Aja is on the roster next season and a natural second-round pick if the defender stays with the club for the 2020 season. Bringing in the defender could be a sign that Vancouver will trade defender Tim Parker in the coming days.
Roster breakdown
Forwards – Myer Bevan, 20; Anthony Blondell, 23; Erik Hurtado, 27; Kei Kamara, 33;
Midfielders – Marco Bustos, 21; Alphonso Davies, 17; Marcel de Jong, 31; Deybi Flores, 21; Aly Ghazal, 26; Yordy Reyna, 24; Brek Shea, 27; Bernie Ibini, 25; Efraín Juárez, 30; Brett Levis, 24; Nicolás Mezquida, 26; David Norman Jr., 19; Cristian Techera, 25; Russel Teibert, 25;
Defenders – José Aja, 24; David Edgar, 30; Sean Franklin, 32; Doneil Henry, 24; Aaron Maund, 27; Jake Nerwinski, 23; Tim Parker, 25; Kendall Waston, 30
Goalkeepers – Stefan Marinović, 26; Spencer Richey, 25; Brian Rowe, 29;
See full roster details here.