VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has signed Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) wingback Ali Ahmed and midfielder Vasco Fry to MLS short-term agreements for Saturday’s MLS regular season match at Austin FC.
Whitecaps FC wingback Ali Ahmed
- Has played every minute for WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro this season
- Leads MLS NEXT Pro in fouls suffered, second in successful dribbles and tackles won, tied for sixth in key passes
- Spent preseason with Whitecaps FC first team, making one start in four appearances
Ahmed, 21, has played every minute of all four matches for WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro this season, tallying one assist at Real Monarchs on April 2. Playing as a wingback, he leads MLS NEXT Pro in fouls suffered, is second in successful dribbles as well as tackles won, and is tied for sixth in key passes.
The native of Toronto, Ontario spent preseason with the first team, traveling to San Diego and making four appearances, including one start. Ahmed initially joined the Whitecaps FC U-23 team in 2020 after an extended trial.
Whitecaps FC midfielder Vasco Fry
- Started all four matches for WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro this season
- Joined the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy in 2018 after previously playing in the academy of Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
- Spent preseason with Whitecaps FC first team, making two appearances
Fry, 21, has started all four matches for WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro this season, registering a stoppage time assist in the club's home opener against Timbers 2 on April 10.
Prior to joining WFC2, the native of Lima, Peru competed with the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy in the United States Soccer Development Academy league from 2018 to 2021 and spent time playing with the Whitecaps FC U-23 team from 2019 through 2021.
A dual Peruvian-Canadian citizen, Fry originally joined Whitecaps FC in August 2018 after previously playing with the youth teams of Peruvian first division side Sporting Cristal.
Internationally, the midfielder has represented Peru at the youth level, earning two appearances with the U-17 national team.
Fry also spent preseason with the Whitecaps FC first team, making two appearances.
Ahmed and Fry become the second and third WFC2 players to sign short-term MLS agreements with the first team this season, following forward Emiliano Brienza in Week 1 at Columbus Crew.
The moves come as Whitecaps FC will be missing a total of five players on Saturday, including Caio Alexandre (left hand fracture), Déiber Caicedo (non-COVID-19 related illness), Ryan Gauld (MLS concussion protocol), Cristián Gutiérrez (left calf tightness), and Leonard Owusu (right foot contusion).
TRANSACTION: On April 22, 2022, Whitecaps FC sign wingback Ali Ahmed and midfielder Vasco Fry to MLS short-term agreements.
Ali Ahmed
Position: Wingback
Height: 5-11
Weight: 150 pounds
Date of Birth: October 10, 2000, in Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Citizenship: Canadian
Status: Domestic
Youth Teams: Toronto Youth Football Club
Instagram: @aliahmed51_
Twitter: @aliahmed51_
Vasco Fry
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175 pounds
Date of Birth: July 30, 2000 in Lima, Peru
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Citizenship: Canada, Peru
Status: Domestic
Youth Teams: Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy, Sporting Cristal
Instagram: @vascofry
Twitter: @vascofry
