VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC captain Kendall Waston became the first ever active player from the club to both play and score at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday with a patented header goal against Switzerland. The goal tied the score at 1-1 in the second half, with the match eventually ending in a 2-2 draw.
Waston is the third ever active non-American Major League Soccer player to score at the World Cup. Seven MLS players in total have scored at the FIFA World Cup, with at least one in every tournament since 1998. The other two non-American players to score are Tim Cahill with Australia in 2014, and Carlos Vela with Mexico this year.
In addition to his goal in the 56th minute, Waston completed 34 of 37 passes for the best passing accuracy for the Ticos, was tied for a game high with three interceptions, and had the second most clearances with six.
In total, 23 other Whitecaps FC alumni have played at the World Cup either before or after their time in Vancouver.
At the club level with Vancouver, Waston has appeared in 108 MLS matches since joining Whitecaps FC midway through 2014, scoring 13 goals. In 2015 and 2017, he was voted Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year, selected to the MLS Best XI, and named a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year.
The 'Caps captain will return to Vancouver on Friday as Whitecaps FC will play their first-ever Canada Day match at BC Place on Sunday. It will be a celebration of Canada and soccer when the 'Caps host Western Conference side Colorado Rapids on July 1 at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets remain available at ticketmaster.ca/whitecapsfc.
