‘Caps bring in leadership to talented young group
VANCOUVER, BC – Ahead of a big upcoming schedule, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have added six players to the club’s League1 BC women’s roster.
The team now looks to defend their League1 BC championship in the playoffs, hosting TSS Rovers in the semifinals this coming Friday, July 26 at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. PT. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online through Universe. Whitecaps FC MLS season members get in free, as does anyone 18 years of age or under.
“We’re excited by the growing opportunities for women’s soccer in Canada, and to have interest from both Canadian and international players to come to Vancouver,” said Stephanie Labbe, Whitecaps FC general manager of women’s soccer. “We have a very talented young group that we believe in. The majority of our older 2006-born players have now departed to begin their collegiate careers. The players that we are bringing in will add experience and leadership to our group as we look ahead to the League1 BC playoffs, the League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup.”
Dakota Beckett, 21, has joined the ‘Caps from the University of British Columbia. In November, the goalkeeper backstopped UBC to the 2023 U Sports National Championship. Beckett has already appeared for Whitecaps FC in League1 BC, earning a clean sheet through 45 minutes in her debut against Harbourside FC on July 6. She is no stranger to League1 BC, having previously played with Nautsa’mawt FC.
Morgan McAslan is a goalkeeper from Waterdown, Ontario. The 24-year-old had a distinguished collegiate career at Samford University, earning 2021-22 SoCon Second Team, as well as All-Tournament Team, 2020-21 First Team All-SoCon, and 2019 First Team All-SoCon and SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Prior to playing at Samford, McAslan played her freshman season at Ole Miss. McAslan played her first match for Whitecaps FC on July 14, playing the final 12 minutes against Burnaby FC, and then secured a clean sheet in her first start on Saturday at Rivers FC.
Brianne Reed, 30, brings eight years of professional experience to the backline, and was one of four new players to make her debut for Whitecaps FC in Saturday’s match at Rivers FC. The native of Tinton Falls, New Jersey most recently played at Portuguese side SF Damaiense in 2024, finishing fourth in Liga BPI. Reed was an All-American at Rutgers University before being drafted 18th overall in 2016 by FC Kansas City in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She would start five of her seven appearances in the NWSL before transferring to Swedish side Kvarnsvedens IK in 2017. She would later play for Swedish sides Eskilstuna United and Västerås BK30, before moving on to Denmark with FC Nordsjælland. At FCN, she would make more than 70 appearances from 2019 to 2023, winning the Danish Women’s Cup in 2020, and also spending time under former Whitecaps and Canada women’s national team player Carmelina Moscato, as well as former Whitecaps FC Girls Elite head coach Chris Sargeant. Prior to her time in Portugal, the centre back played with Australian side South Melbourne FC in 2023. At the international level, Reed has represented the Dominican Republic women’s national team, scoring one goal.
Josie Longhurst is a midfielder from Edenbridge, England who represents the Wales senior women’s national team. The 22-year-old was recently with English side Reading FC in the Women’s Championship, and has spent time with Brighton and Hove Albion, Cardiff City, and Lewes FC. At the international level, she has also represented Wales at both the U-17 and U-19 levels. Longhurst made her ‘Caps debut against Rivers FC on Saturday.
Jessica De Filippo, 23 is a forward/midfielder from St. Lazare, Quebec. Prior to making her debut with the ‘Caps on Saturday at Rivers FC, De Filippo was playing professionally in Spain for Sporting de Huelva in the first tier Liga F. The Canadian also spent time with German club 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in the top level Frauen-Bundesliga. Other stops include the Chicago Red Stars Reserves in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), and AS Laval and Lakers du Lac St-Louis in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec (now League1 Quebec). Collegiately, De Filippo started at the University of Louisville before transferring to the University of Arkansas, where she was the leading goal and points leader in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. At the international level, she has represented Canada at the 2018 FIFA U-17 World Cup, as well as being called up at the U-20 level. In 2019 she was called up to the senior women’s national team, before also being nominated for the Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year.
Jourdan Ziff is a forward from Temecula, California. The 26-year-old made her first appearance for the ‘Caps against Rivers FC. Prior to coming to Vancouver, Ziff most recently played for Brazilian club Santos FC, and became the first American to score a goal in the Campeonato Brasileiro. She also spent time at Finnish side Nurmijärven Jalkapalloseura, and helped Puerto Rico Sol FC win the 2021 and 2022 Liga Puerto Rico titles. At the collegiate level, Ziff was a second-team All-Patriot League honouree with the Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds.
