Dane Richards

Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired midfielder and Jamaican international Dane Richards, as well as allocation money, from New York Red Bulls in exchange for striker Sebastien Le Toux on July 13, 2012.

Professional:
2012: Started the six games of the season. Picked up first assist, 25th of career, on April 14 vs. San Jose in 2-2 draw. Scored first of season, game winner, on May 19 at Montreal. Assisted on Cooper’s goal on May 23 vs. Chivas USA. Was on international duty with Jamaica from late May to June 12. Earned fifth yellow card of season on June 20 at Vancouver, suspended for June 24 match vs. D.C. United. Moved into second place on team’s all-time games played list on July 8 at New England. Richards made his Whitecaps FC debut as a second-half substitute during Vancouver's 1-0 defeat at Chicago Fire on July 14. He then scored his first Whitecaps FC goal on July 22, as Vancouver defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 at BC Place. His second Vancouver goal was the match winner during a 2-1 home win over Real Salt Lake on Aug. 11. The winger then had a goal and an assist during Whitecaps FC’s 4-0 home win over Chivas USA on Oct. 3. Richards then appeared as a second-half substitute in Whitecaps FC’s first-ever match in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Nov. 1, as Vancouver fell 2-1 at defending champions LA Galaxy.

2011: Set career highs with seven goals and seven assist, which led the team. Scored fastest goal in club history on May 21 at Houston, opening the scoring just 39 seconds into the match. Was called into Jamaica squad for 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, unavailable from May 22, and returned on June 23. Assisted on Agudelo’s goal on July 23 vs. FC Dallas but earned two yellow cards, serving a one-game suspension when NY played at Real Salt Lake Aug. 6. Had two assists on Aug, 13 vs. Chicago, tying Mark Chung for fourth on the club’s all-time assists list. Registered first career multi-goal game with both goals in 2-2 draw at New England on Aug, 20. Scored game-winning goal in 2-0 victory over Portland on Sept. 24. Scored game-winning goal in regular season finale on Oct. 20 vs. Philadelphia.

2010: Played in 25 games, starting 23, and scored five goals with three assists. Picked up assist on Salou Ibrahim’s goal in 2-0 victory against D.C. United on May 1. Scored goal and added assist in friendly vs. Manchester City on July 25. Missed matches vs. Toronto on Aug. 11, and Sept. 4 and Oct. 9 matches vs. Real Salt Lake due to call up from Jamaica National Team. Assisted on Carl Robinson’s goal at Toronto on Aug. 21. Named Man of the Match Aug. 28 vs. San Jose, scoring first goal of the season and assisting on Thierry Henry goal. Goal against San Jose awarded MLS Goal of the Week. Scored second goal of season in 3-1 victory over Colorado on Sept. 11. Scored third goal of the season on Sept. 24 at Los Angeles. Scored game winner on Oct. 2 versus Kansas City, his fourth goal in five matches. Scored goal in season finale on Oct. 21 versus New England.

2009: Scored three goals to go along with two assists in a team-high 27 appearances. Scored first goal of the season on April 26 against D.C. United. Scored in two-straight wins on Aug. 23 against FC Dallas (3-2) and Aug. 30 versus the Columbus Crew (1-0).

2008: Recorded three goals to go along with team-high six assists. Started season nursing right MCL tear suffered in preseason in February. Made first appearance of season on May 1 at Toronto FC. Suffered hip flexor strain against Los Angeles on July 19 and missed three games. Scored first goal of season in 3-0 win over Houston on Aug. 24. Played all four playoff games and earned MLS Cup Playoffs Player of the Week after having a hand in all three Red Bulls goals in 3-0 win over Houston in Western Conference Semifinal Series. Had a goal and two assists in the playoffs. Tallied assist in MLS Cup Final, providing pass for John Wolyniec’s goal in 3-1 loss. Named team’s Young Player of the Year.

2007: Made his first MLS start on April 7 at Columbus and notched his first MLS point when he assisted on Clint Mathis’ goal on April 15 against FCD. Scored his first career MLS goal on May 5 against Real Salt Lake. Started 27 out of 28 games he played in as a rookie finishing with two goals and six assists. Was a finalist for the 2007 MLS Rookie of the Year.

International:
Has earned 42 caps with Jamaica and scored nine goals. Helped Jamaica go undefeated in group play of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Led Jamaica to the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup championship, scoring three goals in five tournament matches, good for a share of the Golden Boot. Scored his first international goal on Aug. 11, 2010 in a 3-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Again scored versus Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 10, 2010, converting a penalty kick in a 1-0 victory. Participated in 2010 World Cup qualifying matches and helped Jamaica win the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup, appearing in five matches. Richards appeared for Jamaica was a second-half substitute in a 2-0 friendly win over CONCACAF rivals El Salvador at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 15, 2012, before replacing Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings in the second half of Jamaica's 1-0 away defeat to the United States in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying  on Sept. 11, 2012. He then scored twice in Jamaica's 4-1 home win over Antigua & Barbuda on Oct. 16, 2012, with the result taking The Reggae Boyz to the final round of 2014 World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF - known as known as ‘The Hexagonal’ or ‘The Hex’ - in 2013.

Collegiate/Club:
A speedy attacking player, Richards, coached at Clemson University by Trevor Adair, earned Second Team NSCAA All-American honors after scoring 11 goals and nine assists in 20 games as a senior and was a Hermann Award Finalist. He also garnered a NSCAA All-South First Team selection as well as a First Team All-ACC selection. As a junior at Clemson, he led team in goals (12), assists (eight) and points (32). Earned NCAA All-Final Four Team honors after scoring three-straight game-winners in NCAA Tournament. During first two college years, he played for San Jacinto Junior College in Houston, TX where he had 22 goals and 11 assists, good for 55 points in only 17 games. Was named the National Junior College Player of the Year in 2004.

Personal:
Son of Diana and Delroy, Richards has five sisters. He listens to reggae and hip hop. His favorite movies inclue American Pie, Blood Diamond, Superbad and Knocked Up. Favorite MLS city is Houston and his favorite restaurant is Applebees.