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.
GREG ION
A local lad who graduated from Burnaby North Secondary School, Greg Ion spent 11 seasons playing professional soccer. His early career included NASL stops with Portland Timbers, Montreal Manic, and Tulsa Roughnecks.
In the CSL, Ion spent multiple seasons with Vancouver 86ers, scoring seven goals in 30 appearances for the 1988 championship team, while also playing on the record setting 1989 championship team.
For country
Ion made six appearances for Canada’s men’s national team and was a member of the 1986 FIFA World Cup team.
FUN FACT: Greg’s father, Gordie Ion, was a member of Canada’s first national team to participate in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1957.
