VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that three players from the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy, as well as two first team players via loan, have been added to the MLS NEXT Pro roster in advance of the season opener on Saturday.
Centre back Cristian Campagna joins on a professional contract through 2022, while goalkeeper Ben Alexander and wingback Eric White are signed to amateur contracts. Whitecaps FC first team goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer and centre back Matteo Campagna have also joined WFC2 on loan with options to recall. All five players are natives of British Columbia.
WFC2 open their season tomorrow, Saturday, March 26 in an MLS NEXT Pro “Game of the Week” in Houston against Dynamo Dos. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. PT and broadcast live at mlsnextpro.com. The team's first home match will be on Sunday, April 10 against Timbers 2 at Swangard Stadium. For WFC2 ticket information, click here.
“Our MLS NEXT Pro roster allows us to sign players to both professional and amateur contracts, depending on their path,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Cristian will begin his professional career, while Ben and Eric will retain their college eligibility. This team will also provide opportunities for our first team players like Isaac and Matteo to earn meaningful minutes.”
Cristian Campagna, 20, first joined the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy in 2015 from Surrey United SC in the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League. The product of Surrey, BC was called up to Canada’s U-15 national team in 2016, and has been a training player for Canada’s senior men’s national team during qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Campagna played one season at the University of Albany, earning selection to the America East All-Rookie Team.
Alexander, 18 and a product of Chilliwack, BC, joined the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy as a 13-year-old in 2016 from Fraser Valley FC.
White, 19, joined the academy as a 13-year-old in 2016 from Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League. The product of Coquitlam, BC was the recipient of the club's 2020 BMO RESP Academy Male Player Award.
Boehmer, 20, was first signed to an MLS contract in August 2020 after coming through the club’s youth ranks, starting at the Whitecaps FC BMO Okanagan Academy Centre. The product of Okanagan Falls, BC was also a member of Thompson Okanagan FC in the BC Soccer Premier League before he was selected to join the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy in September of 2018.
Matteo Campagna, 17, joined the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy in 2017 from Surrey United SC in the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League. The product of Surrey, BC signed an MLS Homegrown contract in April 2021.
Ben Alexander
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-03
Weight: 190 pounds
Date of Birth: June 27, 2003 in Surrey, BC
Hometown: Chilliwack, BC
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Youth Teams: Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy, Fraser Valley FC
Instagram: @bencalexander
Cristian Campagna
Position: Centre back
Height: 6-01
Weight: 180 pounds
Date of Birth: November 29, 2001 in Vancouver, BC
Hometown: Surrey, BC
Citizenship: Canada, Italy
Status: Domestic
Youth Teams: Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy, Surrey United SC
Instagram: @cristian.campagna
Twitter: @ccampagna01
Eric White
Position: Wingback
Height: 6-01
Weight: 180 pounds
Date of Birth: March 5, 2003 in New Westminster, BC
Hometown: Coquitlam, BC
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Youth Teams: Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy, Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC
Instagram: @ericwhite_
