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.
IAN BRIDGE
A native of Victoria, BC, Ian Bridge’s professional soccer career spanned from 1979 to 1991. Among his former teams are the Seattle Sounders in the NASL, FC La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, and the Victoria Vistas, Kitchener Kickers, and North York Rockets in the CSL.
For club
Bridge played one NASL season for his home province Vancouver Whitecaps in 1984, making 24 appearances and tallying two goals.
For country
Bridge made 34 appearances for Canada over 10 years, including 12 World Cup qualification matches, and all three World Cup matches in the 1986 tournament. He scored five times for Canada over the course of his career.
FUN FACT: Bridge was head coach of Canada’s national team that made it to the finals of the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship on home soil, which introduced the world to a generation that included the likes of Christine Sinclair.
