VANCOUVER, BC – It's that time of year again.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday the nominees for the 2023 Whitecaps FC Player of the Year.
The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs are coming to BC Place!
We'll be taking on LAFC in Round 1 Match 2 of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Fans will vote for the eventual winner, which will be announced at the 'Caps second match of their Round One Best-of-3 Series against Los Angeles FC on Sunday, November 5 at BC Place. The winners of the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot, Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero Award, Humanitarian of the Year, Most Promising Male and Female Players, BMO RESP Academy Male and Female Players, as well as Whitecaps FC 2 Player of the Year will also be announced.
Cast your vote now and be entered into a draw to win a copy of EA SPORTS FC™ 24 (Playstation 5). Voting runs until 11:59 p.m. PT on Thursday, November 2.
2023 Whitecaps FC Player of the Year Nominees
Andrés Cubas – Midfielder
In his second season with the club, Andrés Cubas continued to show the importance of his tenacious defensive qualities to the 'Caps, cementing himself as one of the best players in his position in Major League Soccer. The Paraguayan international has started 35 of his 36 appearances across all competitions in 2023, earning four assists and finishing the regular season as the team's leader in interceptions with 50 (6th in MLS) as well as tackles won with 40.
Ryan Gauld – Attacking Midfielder
Since arriving in Vancouver in 2021, Ryan Gauld has been a constant figure in the ‘Caps offensive play. However, in 2023, the 27-year-old Scotsman caught the eyes of the whole league with his creativity in the final third. Gauld, who was named a candidate for the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player award, has tallied 12 goals as well as a team-high 16 assists across 39 starts and 41 appearances in all competitions this season. Gauld became the 'Caps all-time leader in assists in the club's MLS era with 33 helpers across all competitions as well as the all-time leader in MLS assists with 28. In MLS play, the attacking midfielder was at the top of many in-depth statistics on both sides of the ball, including big chances created (18 – third in MLS), expected assists (8.93 – fifth in MLS), chances created (78 – sixth in MLS), expected goals (12.29 – ninth in MLS), and tackles (64 – 19th in MLS). Gauld finished the season ninth in goal contributions in the regular season with 23 (11 goals, 12 assists).
Ranko Veselinović – Defender
Ranko Veselinović was once again a key piece of head coach Vanni Sartini's backline in 2023 thanks to his towering presence and defensive awareness inside the box. The Serbian international started a career-high 40 of his 41 appearances across all competitions, adding two goals and two assists. Veselinović also led the ‘Caps in numerous statistics during the regular season, including clearances (148 - fifth in MLS), blocks (26 - eighth in MLS), successful passes (1,505) and passing accuracy (88.53%).
Brian White – Forward
Brian White has enjoyed a remarkable career-year in 2023. The Flemington, New Jersey native has tallied a career-high 20 goals and added five assists in 37 starts and 42 appearances across all competitions. All 15 of White's MLS regular season goals came from open play, the third-most in the league. He also recorded six game-winning goals (2nd in MLS), 15.37 expected goals (3rd in MLS), and 44 shots on target (4th in MLS). In fact, White finished the season as the highest-scoring American at the club level across all competitions. The forward also moved up the club’s all-time MLS goalscoring charts, sitting second all-time for MLS regular season goals with 31 and second all-time for goals across all competitions with 39 (MLS era).
