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.
DAVID NORMAN
David Norman was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but moved to Canada when he was six-years-old and grew up in Coquitlam, BC. After playing with University College Dublin A.F.C. in the League of Ireland between 1980 and 1982, he would go on to spend the majority of his career in Vancouver, with one season at Winnipeg Fury.
For club
Norman both began and ended his professional career in his hometown. He started with the Whitecaps in the NASL from 1981 to 1984, appearing in 60 matches and scoring three goals. He would then return to play six seasons for the 86ers from 1991 until retiring in 1996.
He sits tied for 16th all-time in assists at the club with 22, and 19th in matches played with 171.
For country
The midfielder appeared in 51 international matches for Canada from 1983 until 1994, scoring a goal against Ghana in the 1985 Presidents Cup in Seoul, South Korea.
He played a key role as a starter during qualifying for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and would go on to start all three matches for Canada at the tournament.
FUN FACT: Norman’s son, David Norman Jr., graduated through the Whitecaps FC Residency program, was named Whitecaps FC 2 Player of the Year in 2017, and is currently a Homegrown player on the ‘Caps MLS roster.
