VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Saturday that the club has signed experienced MLS goalkeeper Joe Bendik to a contract through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
“We were looking to add a goalkeeper with MLS experience to our group and Joe fit the profile we wanted,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Having been in this league for 12 years, Joe brings various experiences from different clubs and will bring competition to our goalkeeper group. We are pleased to welcome Joe and his family to Vancouver.”
Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Joe Bendik
- 189 MLS appearances since 2012
- 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner with Philadelphia Union
- 204 appearances at the professional club level across 14-year career
“Vancouver is always a city that teams around the league look forward to visiting during the season, it's such a beautiful city,” said Bendik, "I’m just excited to get started and build off of the positives the team achieved last year."
Bendik, who will be going into his 13th MLS season, has made 189 regular season appearances since his debut campaign in 2012.
Most recently, the 34-year-old spent the last four and a half seasons with Eastern Conference side Philadelphia Union, starting 11 of his 14 appearances across all competitions for the club. Two of his appearances came during the Union’s Supporters’ Shield winning season in 2020.
Bendik has also played for Columbus Crew, Orlando City SC, Toronto FC, and Portland Timbers during his time in the league.
Bendik started his professional career in Norway, where he made nine appearances across all competitions for Sogndal prior to returning to the United States and signing with Portland. He played collegiately at Clemson University.
TRANSACTION: On February 17, 2024, Whitecaps FC sign goalkeeper Joe Bendik to a contract through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
Joe Bendik
Pronunciation: ben-dik
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-02
Weight: 210 pounds
Date of Birth: April 25, 1989 in North Port, New York
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Status: Domestic
Previous Clubs: Philadelphia Union (2019-23), Columbus Crew (2019), Orlando City SC (2016-18), Toronto FC (2013-15), Portland Timbers (2012), Sogndal (2010-11)
University: Clemson University
Instagram: @jbendik
Twitter: @Jtbendik
