VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert announced his retirement as a player on Friday, concluding a 16-year playing career for the club. Teibert, the team’s longest tenured player during the MLS-era, will transition to a role in the front office.
Russell Teibert – Career Accomplishments
- Fourth all-time in appearances for Whitecaps FC with 301, scoring five goals and adding 24 assists
- Holds the club record for most MLS regular season appearances at 253 and starts at 193
- Three-time Canadian Championship winner with Whitecaps FC (2015, 2022, 2023)
- Recipient of the 2015 George Gross Memorial Trophy as the Canadian Championship MVP
- Two-time VWFC Humanitarian of the Year award recipient (2017, 2023)
- Two-time VWFC Jock McDonald Unsung Hero award recipient (2018, 2023)
- Holds the record for most Canadian Championship appearances with 32
- Six goals, 26 assists in 328 appearances for club and country
- Two goals and two assists in 27 caps for Canada’s men’s national team
- Represented Canada’s youth sides at the 2009 Concacaf U-17 Championship and the 2011 Concacaf U-20 Championship
- Two-time Canadian U-17 Player of the Year (2008, 2009)
- Represented Canada at the 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup tournaments
"First of all, we want to congratulate Russell on an incredible career and thank him for all his contributions to the club over these last 16 years as a player,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC CEO & sporting director. "It is uncommon in today's times that a player plays his whole career for one club. From the first day that he stepped into this club at the age of 15, he has represented the club in an outstanding way. Few understand more what this club has been through and what matters for the people in the city. He has built relationships in our community and across the province. All of those values that he has, in addition to being a longstanding player for us, he will now bring to the club in a different role."
Teibert spent his entire professional career with Whitecaps FC, having come through the club’s Academy and signed as an MLS Homegrown player on March 17, 2011. The native of Niagara Falls, Ontario ends his playing career with 328 appearances, six goals, and 26 assists for club and country. At the international level, Teibert started 11 of his 27 appearances for Canada’s men’s national team across Concacaf Gold Cup, Concacaf Nations League, Concacaf World Cup Qualifying and international friendly competition.
During his time with Whitecaps FC, Teibert started 231 of his 301 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring five goals and adding 24 assists. The Canadian finishes his career fourth all-time in appearances for Vancouver and holds the club records for most MLS regular season appearances at 253 and starts at 193. Primarily being deployed as a midfielder or winger during his career, Teibert helped the club win three Canadian Championship titles (2015, 2022, 2023) and was the recipient of the George Gross Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2015 Canadian Championship. He currently holds the tournament record for appearances with 32. Teibert was also a recipient of a pair of club honours, winning the Humanitarian of the Year award in 2017 and 2023 as well as the Jock McDonald Unsung Hero award in 2018 and 2023.
At 17 years and 221 days, Teibert made his first team debut for Whitecaps FC on July 31, 2010, as he played the first half of a 2-2 away draw against Carolina RailHawks in USSF Division 2 Professional League action. The following year, Teibert went on to start Vancouver’s inaugural MLS match against Toronto FC at Empire Field on March 19, 2011. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, as he tied the-then club record in MLS assists with nine. One of the highlights of the season for Teibert came against Los Angeles Galaxy on May 11, when he scored his first two professional goals to help the ‘Caps claim a 3-1 victory. In 2021, Teibert started 29 of his 33 appearances and ranked second amongst outfield players in minutes played with 2,421 during the regular season. All three statistics ranked as career-highs. Teibert also led the team in interceptions (47), recoveries from field players (146), successful passes (940) and total pass attempts (1,107) in the regular season, while adding a goal and two assists.
Prior to making the jump to MLS with the ‘Caps, Teibert spent two years with the club’s Residency program from 2008 to 2010.
At the youth level, Teibert represented Canada at the 2009 Concacaf U-17 Championship and the 2011 Concacaf U-20 Championship. He was twice named Canadian U-17 Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.
In his home province of Ontario, Teibert played in the Niagara Soccer Association before a spell in the South Region Soccer League between 2002 and 2005. He spent time in the Ontario Youth Soccer League for Saltfleet U-15s in 2006 before joining Clarkson Comets U-15s of the OYSL in 2007. From 2004 to 2008, Teibert was also a member of the Ontario provincial team program from the U-13 to U-16 age group levels.
