2018 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season explained

Club:	Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Mgrtitle:	Head coach
Manager:	Craig Dalrymple (acting)
Chairman:	John Furlong
Stadium:	BC Place (Capacity: 22,120)
League Result:	Conference: 8th Overall: 14th
Cup1:	MLS Cup Playoffs
Cup1 Result:	Did not qualify
Cup2 Result:	Runner-Up
League Topscorer:	Kei Kamara (14)
Season Topscorer:	Kei Kamara (17)
Highest Attendance:	28,837 (vs. Montreal Impact, March 4, 2018)
Lowest Attendance:	17,357 (vs. San Jose Earthquakes, May 16, 2018)
Prevseason:	2017
Nextseason:	2019
Cup4:	Cascadia Cup
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The 2018 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season was the club's eighth 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 41st season of professional soccer being played in Vancouver under a variation of the "Whitecaps" name.

Outside of MLS, the Whitecaps played in the 2018 Canadian Championship. They defeated the Montreal Impact 2–1 on aggregate in the semifinals before falling 7–4 on aggregate to Toronto FC in the finals.

On September 25, with five games remaining in the season the Whitecaps released head coach Carl Robinson along with assistant coaches Martyn Pert, Gordon Forrest and goalkeeper coach Stewart Kerr. Whitecaps Academy technical director Craig Dalrymple was named acting coach for the remainder of the season.^[1]

Current roster

No.	Name	Nationality	Position	Date of birth (age)	Previous club
Goalkeepers
1	Stefan Marinovic		GK	7 October 1991	SpVgg Unterhaching
12			GK	16 November 1988	LA Galaxy
18	Spencer Richey (on loan at FC Cincinnati)		GK	30 May 1992	Whitecaps FC 2
39	Sean Melvin		GK	9 July 1994	Fresno FC
Defenders
2			DF	20 April 1993	West Ham United
3	Sean Franklin		DF	21 March 1985	D.C. United
4	Kendall Waston		DF	1 January 1988	Deportivo Saprissa
15	Roberto Domínguez		DF	9 May 1997	Santa Tecla
17	Marcel de Jong		DF	15 October 1986	Ottawa Fury
18	José Aja		DF	10 May 1993	Orlando City SC
22	Aaron Maund		DF	19 September 1990	Real Salt Lake
28	Jake Nerwinski		DF	17 October 1994	Connecticut Huskies
46	Brett Levis		DF	29 May 1993	Whitecaps FC 2
Midfielders
6			MF	22 February 1988	C.F. Monterrey
8	Felipe		DF	30 September 1990	New York Red Bulls
11	Nicolás Mezquida		MF	21 January 1992	Fénix
13	Cristian Techera		MF	31 May 1992	River Plate Montevideo
20	Brek Shea		MF	28 February 1990	Orlando City SC
24	David Norman Jr. (on loan at Queen of the South F.C.)		MF	31 May 1998	Whitecaps FC 2
29	Yordy Reyna		MF	16 September 1993	Red Bull Salzburg
31	Russell Teibert		MF	22 December 1992	Vancouver Whitecaps (USSF-D2)
54	Simon Colyn		MF	23 March 2002	Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
65	Michael Baldisimo		MF	13 April 2000	Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
66	Ali Ghazal		MF	1 February 1992	Guizhou Zhicheng
67	Alphonso Davies		MF	2 November 2000	Whitecaps FC 2
77	Jordon Mutch		MF	2 December 1991	Crystal Palace
Forwards
9	Anthony Blondell		FW	17 May 1994	Monagas SC
14			FW	27 May 1988	Akhisar Belediyespor
19			FW	11 May 1990	Santa Clara
23			FW	1 September 1984	New England Revolution
45	Myer Bevan (on loan at Fresno FC)		FW	23 April 1997	Whitecaps FC 2
50	Theo Bair		FW	27 August 1999	Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency

See also: List of Vancouver Whitecaps FC players.

Transfers

In

No.	Pos.	Player	Transferred from	Fee/notes	Date	Ref.
47	FW			Loan Return	November 27, 2017	^[2]
30	MF					^[3]
3	DF					^[4]
9	FW			Undisclosed	November 30, 2017	^[5]
42	MF			Homegrown player	December 1, 2017	^[6]
23	FW			Traded in exchange for a 2019 first-round and a 2020 conditional second-round picks	December 10, 2017	^[7]
45	FW			Free	December 13, 2017	^[8]
12	GK			Traded in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick	December 15, 2017	^[9]
	DF			Free	December 21, 2017	^[10]
2	DF				December 22, 2017	^[11]
6	MF			Undisclosed	January 18, 2018	^[12]
3	DF			Free	February 22, 2018	^[13]
18	DF			Traded in exchange for $125,000 TAM and future considerations	February 24, 2018	^[14]
77	MF			Loan	March 2, 2018	^[15]
8	MF				March 2, 2018	^[16]
25	DF				March 8, 2018	^[17]
39	GK			Homegrown player	April 2, 2018	^[18]
54	MF				April 19, 2018	^[19]
2	DF			Loan Return	May 31, 2018	^[20]
45	FW				July 3, 2018	^[21]
65	MF			Homegrown player	July 17, 2018	^[22]
50	FW					^[23]
32	MF			Loan Return	August 14, 2018	^[24]
15	DF			Free	August 17, 2018	^[25]
14	FW			Free	September 6, 2018	^[26]

Out

Pos.	Player	Transferred to	Fee/notes	Date	Ref.
GK			Loan	November 22, 2017	^[27]
MF			Option Declined	November 27, 2017	^[28]
DF
FW
MF
MF
MF	Ben McKendry
GK
MF
DF
DF
DF			end of contract
MF		retired
DF			Traded in exchange for $100,000 TAM	December 21, 2017
FW			Loan Return	December 31, 2017	^[29]
DF			Undisclosed	January 8, 2018	^[30]
MF			Loan	January 10, 2018	^[31]
MF			Traded in exchange for $150,000 TAM	February 28, 2018	^[32]
DF			Traded in exchange for Felipe, $500,000 allocation money and an international roster spot	March 2, 2018
FW			Loan	March 28, 2018	^[33]
DF			Loan	April 25, 2018	^[34]
DF			Loan	May 1, 2018	^[35]
DF			Waived	July 2, 2018	^[36]
MF
FW			Mutual contract termination	August 8, 2018	^[37]
FW			Loan		^[38]
MF			Mutual contract termination	August 15, 2018
MF			Loan	September 1, 2018	^[39]

Major League Soccer

Regular season

League tables

Overall

Results

Canadian Championship

See main article: 2018 Canadian Championship.

Playing statistics

Appearances (Apps.) numbers are for appearances in competitive games only including sub appearances
Red card numbers denote: Numbers in parentheses represent red cards overturned for wrongful dismissal.

No.	Nat.	Player	Pos.	MLS				Canadian Championship				Total
				width=40	Apps	width=40		width=40		width=40		width=40	Apps	width=40		width=40		width=40		width=40	Apps	width=40		width=40		width=40
1			GK	23		3		4				27		3
2			DF	14		1		3		1		17		2
3			DF	11				1				12
4			DF	26	3	6	1 (1)	3		1		29	3	7	1 (1)
6			MF	16		4	2	1				17		4	2
8			MF	29	1	4		1			1	30	1	4	1
9			FW	18	1	1		2				20	1	1
11			MF	21	3			3				24	3
12			GK	10								10
13			MF	21	8	7	1	4				25	8	7	1
14			FW
15			DF
17			MF	19		3		3				22		3
18			DF	17	1	4	1					17	1	4	1	-	18			GK												-->
19			FW	12	2			3	1			15	3
20			MF	28	3	3		4	1	1		32	4	4
22			DF	10				1				11
23			FW	28	14	5	1	3	3			31	17	5	1
28			DF	26		2		4				30		2
29			MF	26	6	9	2	3	1			29	7	9	2
31			MF	23	1	3		4				27	1	3
39			GK
46			DF	14				1				15
50			FW
54			MF	1								1
65			MF
66			MF	22		2		4				26		2
67			MF	31	8	2		2				33	8	2
77			MF	18	2	1						18	2	1
24			MF					1		1		1		1
45		^[40]	FW
–		^[41]	DF
–			FW	8				1				9
Own goals					1				0				1
Totals					54	60	7 (1)		6	4	1		60	64	8 (1)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vancouver Whitecaps FC release head coach Carl Robinson. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. September 25, 2018. October 6, 2018.
2. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan out Greig, transfer de Wit to USL side FC Cincinnati. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 11, 2017. November 23, 2017.
3. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan midfielder Ben McKendry to NASL club FC Edmonton. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 26, 2017. November 23, 2017.
4. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan defender Sam Adekugbe to Swedish club IFK Göteborg. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 25, 2017. November 23, 2017.
5. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire striker Anthony Blondell from Venezuelan Primera División side Monagas SC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 30, 2017. November 30, 2017.
6. Web site: Whitecaps FC sign Residency product David Norman Jr. to MLS contract. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 1, 2017. December 1, 2017.
7. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire two-time MLS all-star striker Kei Kamara. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 10, 2017. December 10, 2017.
8. Web site: Whitecaps FC add striker Myer Bevan to MLS roster. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 13, 2017. December 13, 2017.
9. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire goalkeeper Brian Rowe from LA Galaxy. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 15, 2017. December 15, 2017.
10. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money from Colorado Rapids. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 21, 2017. December 21, 2017.
11. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian international centre back Doneil Henry. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. December 22, 2017. December 22, 2017.
12. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire versatile Mexican midfielder Efraín Juárez from Club de Futbol Monterrey. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. January 18, 2018. January 18, 2018.
13. Web site: Vancouver Whitecaps FC sign experienced right back Sean Franklin. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. February 22, 2018. February 22, 2018.
14. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire centre back José Aja from Orlando City SC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. February 24, 2018. February 24, 2018.
15. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire English Premier League midfielder Jordon Mutch from Crystal Palace FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. March 2, 2018. March 2, 2018.
16. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire Felipe, $500,000, and an international roster spot from Red Bulls in exchange for Tim Parker. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. March 2, 2018. March 2, 2018.
17. Web site: Whitecaps FC sign 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick Justin Fiddes. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. March 8, 2018. March 8, 2018.
18. Web site: Whitecaps FC sign goalkeeper Sean Melvin to MLS Homegrown contract. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. April 2, 2018. April 2, 2018.
19. Web site: Whitecaps FC sign 16-year-old Residency attacking midfielder Simon Colyn to MLS Homegrown contract. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. April 19, 2018. April 19, 2018.
20. Web site: Painting the Picture presented by Benjamin Moore: Comeback 'Caps face Colorado Friday night on TSN. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. May 31, 2018. June 3, 2018.
21. Web site: Whitecaps FC striker Myer Bevan returns from loan. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 3, 2018. July 3, 2018.
22. Web site: Whitecaps FC sign Residency midfielder Michael Baldisimo to MLS Homegrown contract. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 17, 2018. July 17, 2018.
23. Web site: Whitecaps FC sign Residency forward Theo Bair to MLS homegrown pre-contract. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 17, 2018. July 17, 2018.
24. Web site: Whitecaps FC and midfielder Marco Bustos mutually agree to part ways. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 15, 2018. August 18, 2018.
25. Web site: Whitecaps FC add Salvadoran international defender Roberto Domínguez. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 17, 2018. August 18, 2018.
26. Web site: Whitecaps FC add experienced Dutch striker/winger Marvin Emnes. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. September 6, 2018. September 6, 2018.
27. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan out goalkeeper Spencer Richey to USL side FC Cincinnati. Vancouver Whitecaps. November 22, 2017. November 23, 2017.
28. Web site: Whitecaps FC announce roster moves ahead of 2018, exercise seven contract options. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 27, 2017. November 27, 2017.
29. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire three-time MLS All-Star striker Fredy Montero. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. February 15, 2017. November 23, 2017.
30. Web site: Whitecaps FC Transfer Adekugbe to Norwegian club Vålerenga. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. January 8, 2018. January 8, 2018.
31. Web site: Marco Bustos re-signs, loaned to Ascenso MX side Club Atlético Zacatepec. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. January 10, 2018. January 10, 2018.
32. Web site: Whitecaps FC acquire $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money from Chicago Fire in exchange for Tony Tchani. Major League Soccer. February 28, 2018. February 28, 2018.
33. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan Myer Bevan to Swedish club Husqvarna FF. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. March 28, 2018. March 28, 2018.
34. Web site: Henry loaned to United Soccer League club Ottawa Fury FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. April 25, 2018. April 25, 2018.
35. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan fullback Justin Fiddes to USL affiliate Fresno FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. May 1, 2018. May 13, 2018.
36. Web site: Whitecaps FC announce midseason roster transactions. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. July 2, 2018. July 2, 2018.
37. Web site: Whitecaps FC and midfielder Bernie Ibini mutually agree to part ways. Whitecaps FC. August 8, 2018. August 8, 2018.
38. Web site: Bevan loaned to USL affiliate Fresno FC. Whitecaps FC. August 8, 2018. August 8, 2018.
39. Web site: Whitecaps FC loan David Norman Jr. to Scottish club Queen of the South FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. September 1, 2018. September 1, 2018.
40. Loaned out for the remainder of the season.
41. No longer with team.