Ethen Sampson

Sampson, 21, joined Vancouver’s MLS roster after spending a year with the club’s U-23 PDL team. Hailing from Mitchell’s Plain, South Africa, Mitchell signed as a Homegrown player on March 6, 2014.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

2014: Sampson made two appearances after signing with the first team in 2014. The South African defender made his debut against D.C. United on September 6 at BC Place, starting and playing the first 54 minutes to help the ‘Caps keep a shutout in a 0-0 draw. The hard-nosed defender also started and played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 road loss at FC Dallas. Sampson wrapped up the year by starting and playing the full 90 minutes in the team’s second ever playoff appearance, a 2-1 defeat at FC Dallas.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE

2013: The 5-foot-10, 165-pound right back started 13 of his 14 appearances in the MLS Reserve League for a total of 1,064 minutes player while also recording one goal.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

2014: Sampson appeared in one match for Whitecaps FC U-23, playing 28 minutes against Lane United on July 4. 2013: Started five of his six regular season appearances with Whitecaps FC U-23, totaling 383 minutes played.

INTERNATIONAL

Internationally, Sampson earned a call-up to a South African U-20 national team training camp in 2011.

YOUTH/AMATEUR

Before joining Whitecaps FC on a trial in October 2012, Sampson enjoyed a successful four-year stint with South African club ASD Cape Town – an elite soccer school in the Western Cape. Sampson helped ASD Cape Town win the U-17 Engen Tournament in 2010 and finish as the runner-up at the National U-19 Metropolitan Cup in 2011. The Mitchell's Plain, South Africa native was also recognized individually in both those competitions, as he was named the top defender at the U-17 Engen Tournament and the top player at the Metropolitan Cup the following year. Sampson was unanimously voted as club captain at the age of 15 after just a month at the school. He was the second youngest player on the team.