Pedro Morales

PROFILE
A technically gifted playmaker, Pedro Morales came to Vancouver in 2014 having played the previous two seasons with Spain’s La Liga side Málaga CF. The South American has won championships in Chile and Croatia, with playing experience in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Midway through his first MLS season, Morales was named the second captain in Whitecaps FC’s MLS history, following Jay DeMerit’s retirement. He was named the 2014 MLS Newcomer of the Year then was re-signed by the ‘Caps to a multi-year contract extension in August 2015. Morales became the Whitecaps FC career MLS assist leader in 2016 and was awarded the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award following the season.
 
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2016: Morales won the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award after leading the team with nine goals, in addition to his six assists, in 26 starts and 27 appearances in the regular season. Six of his goals came off penalty kicks, the highest total in MLS. Morales opened 2016 with an assist in Week 1 versus Montreal Impact, then followed it up with four penalty kick goals in Weeks 2 through 4, earning an MLS Team of the Week selection after scoring the game-winner versus Houston. He added another assist in the Week 10 win over Chicago, then followed it up with a goal and an assist at Toronto, and another penalty kick goal against Portland, both in Week 11. He scored his final goal in the 4-1 Decision Day win over Portland Timbers, helping the 'Caps win their sixth Cascadia Cup. 2015: Morales scored six goals and tallied four assists in 23 regular season appearances for the year. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice - a bench selection for his key role in the Week 5 victory over LA Galaxy, and in the XI for his goal in the Week 10 win over Philadelphia Union. 2014: Morales was named MLS Newcomer of the Year after finishing his first season in the league with 10 goals and 12 assists, setting a new franchise record for assists in a single season. The Chilean made his MLS debut at BC Place on March 8 in the ‘Caps season opening victory over New York Red Bulls. The attacking midfielder subbed on and played the final 25 minutes before quickly making an impact, assisting on a goal by Kenny Miller before scoring his own in a 4-1 victory.

AMWAY CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
2016: Morales started all three of his ACC appearances, recording a penalty kick goal and an assist, and helping set up another goal to help the team to a 3-2 aggregate win over Ottawa Fury FC, and send the 'Caps to the ACC final. 2015: Morales led the team with two goals and also added an assist in three ACC starts as the ‘Caps won their first-ever Voyageurs Cup. 2014: Morales made one appearance in the ACC, in the second leg of their semifinal series versus Toronto FC, where he assisted on the ‘Caps equalizing goal, and then scored an 87th-minute goal off a penalty kick to force the series into extra time. 

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2016: Morales started his only Champions League appearance, at Sporing Kansas City on September 13. 2015: Morales started one match in the CCL, the ‘Caps tournament opener on August 5, when he assisted on the lone Vancouver goal in the 1-1 draw versus Seattle Sounders FC.

SPAIN
2013-14: Before departing for Vancouver, Morales made eight starts in 15 league appearances and recorded one goal, while also starting two matches in the Copa del Rey. 2012-13: While on loan to Málaga CF in Spain from Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb, the Hualpén, Chile native made seven appearances with five starts and recorded three goals.

CROATIA
2011-12: Before departing for Spain, Morales made two league appearance for Zagreb in the 2011-12 season. 2010-11: The attacking midfielder captured a third straight league title with Zagreb in the Prva HNL as he started 14 of his 16 appearances while scoring three goals. Morales also participated in the Croatian Cup, making two appearances, and the Croatia Super Cup, where he made one appearance. In the UEFA Champions League, Morales started one of his two appearances, while in the Europa League he started four of six matches. 2009-10: In his second year with GNK Dinamo Zagreb, the Chilean midfielder helped Zagreb again capture the league title while starting 17 of his 21 appearances and scoring 13 goals. During the season, he also made one start in the Croatia Cup. Outside of domestic play, he started two of three matches in the UEFA Champions League, and six of seven in the Europa League. 2008-09: In his first season in Croatia, Morales helped GNK Dinamo Zagreb capture the Prva HNL league title, starting 13 of his 21 league appearances and scoring seven goals. In European play, Morales made four appearances in the UEFA Champions League, while starting four of five appearances in the UEFA Cup.

CHILE
2012: Morales had a good year while on loan to Universidad de Chile from Dinamo Zagreb, winning the Apetura and Clasaura championship titles. During the season in the Chilean Primera División, the attacking midfielder started 7 of his 16 appearances while scoring one goal. Universidad also won the Copa Chile, with Morales having started three of his five appearances and scoring three goals. 2008: Morales made 17 appearances with five starts while recording one goal with Universidad de Chile. 2007: Morales joined Universidad de Chile midseason as he started 17 of his 20 appearances and recorded 13 goals. In the first half of the season with Club Deportivo Huachipato, the attacking midfielder started 10 of his 19 appearances and scored four goals. 2006: With Club Deportivo Huachipato in Chile’s Primera División, Morales made 35 appearances with 14 starts and seven goals. 2005: Morales made 27 appearances while starting in eight games and recording four goals for Club Deportivo Huachipato.

INTERNATIONAL
Internationally, the native of Hualpén, Chile, has represented his country 11 times, scoring three goals. Morales also played for his country at the U-23 level, notably scoring two goals at the 2008 Toulon tournament to help Chile finish as runners-up. In 2005, Morales played for his country at the U-20 level in the FIFA World Youth Championship, appearing in all four matches.