This coming Wednesday, September 25, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will look to keep their crown as Canada's Best when they host Toronto FC in the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship Final at BC Place, looking to qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
As the 'Caps go for the Voyageurs Cup three-peat, we highlight five players Made in Vancouver who have represented our Canada men's national team after debuting in their pro careers with Whitecaps FC.
- Joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 14-year-old in 2015
- Signed with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) prior to the 2016 season
- Signed an MLS Homegrown contract and made his Whitecaps FC and MLS debuts in 2016
- Canada MNT debut in 2017 while with the 'Caps
- First Canadian international to win UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020
- Scored the first ever goal FIFA World Cup goal for Canada at Qatar 2022
Who else could we start with? Alphonso Davies joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy (formerly Residency program) as a 14-year-old in 2015 and never looked back. He had a meteoric rise through the Whitecaps FC system, leaping quickly to WFC2, then MLS, becoming, a Canadian citizen, an MLS All-Star in 2018, and now an international star for club and country.
- Joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 16-year-old in 2011
- Signed an MLS Homegrown contract and made his MLS debut in 2013
- Made his Canada MNT debut while with the 'Caps in 2015
- Represented Canada at 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
- 2015 TELUS Canadian Championship winner with Whitecaps FC
A highly talented player, Sam Adekugbe first came to the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy at the start of the MLS era, alongside other Canadian talents such as Marco Bustos and Marco Carducci. He would rise up to the MLS squad before an accomplished career in Europe. He's also become a national hero with Canada's men's national team, playing a vita role in the run to the World Cup. Now he's back in Vancouver, determined to lead the 'Caps to glory.
- Joined the Whitecaps FC Development Squad in 2020
- Signed with Whitecaps FC 2 in 2022 and was named WFC2 Player of the Year
- After making his MLS debut as a short-term call-up in 2022, signed an MLS contract in 2023
- Made his Canada MNT debut at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup
- 2023 TELUS Canadian Championship winner with Whitecaps FC, where he was named Best Young Canadian Player
A rising star in the ranks for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Ali Ahmed has been garnering attention across the country for his dynamic play. After first coming to Vancouver on trial during a tumultuous pandemic period, he has impressed at every level, from WFC2, to MLS, and now catching the eye for Canada.
Russell Teibert
- Joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 15-year-old in 2008
- Signed an MLS Homegrown contract and made his MLS debut starting the club's first ever MLS match, facing Toronto FC on March 19, 2011
- Holds the club record for most MLS regular season appearances at 253 and starts at 193
- Three-time TELUS Canadian Championship winner with Whitecaps FC (2015, 2022, 2023)
- Recipient of the 2015 George Gross Memorial Trophy as the Canadian Championship MVP
- Made his Canada MNT debut in 2012, amassing two goals and two assists in 27 appearances
A player who dedicated 16 years to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, giving his blood, sweat, and tears to club and country. As a young player, Teibert was a two-time Canadian U-17 Player of the Year (2008, 2009), and at the senior level he represented the country at four Concacaf Gold Cup tournaments (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019). He was no stranger to the Canadian Championship, making a tournament record 32 appearances and lifting the Voyageurs Cup three times, including the last two as captain.
- Joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 16-year-old in 2015
- Signed an MLS Homegrown pre-contract in 2018 and made his MLS debut in 2019
- Made his Canada MNT debut while with Whitecaps FC in 2020
- Recently moved to Ligue1 French side Auxerre
- Made his return to Canada MNT at the 2024 Copa America
A talented forward who has grown leaps and bounds over the course of his career, now playing in one of Europe's top leagues as he returns to Canada's men's national team. Bair originally joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy from Ottawa, Ontario, and made 39 first team appearances before making the move abroad to test himself in Norway, Scotland, and now France.
Honourable mention - three more players to watch
They haven't yet played for our Canada men's national team, but each of these three Canadians are also in the midst of promising careers with the 'Caps.
Ryan Raposo
Isaac Boehmer
Levonte Johnson
