Over the course of the history of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a number of players who have played for the club at one point or another have also represented their country at the FIFA World Cup. As we approach the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, we will feature players of years’ past who made it to soccer’s pinnacle event.
DALE MITCHELL
Born and raised in Vancouver, Dale Mitchell is regarded as one of the top strikers in Canadian soccer history. He played professionally from 1977 until 1994, and his time in the NASL included stops with the ‘Caps, Portland Timbers, and Montreal Manic.
For club
Mitchell had two playing stints in his hometown, first starting his career with the Whitecaps from 1977 to 1978. Later, he would return to Vancouver to play with the 86ers from 1988 to 1994, amassing 49 goals, which leaves him in fifth place among the all-time club leaders.
Following his retirement, he began coaching with the 86ers reserves before succeeding Carl Valentine as first team head coach in 1999, as the club later brought back the Whitecaps name.
For country
After leading Canada with four goals in qualifying, Mitchell would go on to start the final group stage match against the Soviet Union in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Up until 2012 when he was passed by Dwayne De Rosario, Mitchell was the Canadian men’s national team’s all-time leading goalscorer with 19 goals in 55 matches.
From 2007 until 2009, he was head coach of Canada’s men’s national team.
FUN FACT: Mitchell is third all-time in scoring in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) with 406 goals.
