Kendall Waston

PROFILE
A physical force at centre back, Kendall Waston joined Whitecaps FC after playing several years in his native Costa Rica’s Primera Division. After playing for several different teams on separate loans, Waston broke out as a first team regular for Deportivo Saprissa in 2013-14, appearing in 26 games and helping them capture the 2014 Campeonato Verano. In 2015 and 2017, he was voted Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year, selected to the MLS Best XI, and finished in the top three in voting for MLS Defender of the Year. He was also selected to the CONCACAF Best XI in 2017. In 2016, Waston was named to the MLS All-Star team for the first time. In international play, he scored an added-time goal that clinched a 2018 FIFA World Cup spot for Costa Rica in October 2017, and famously scored against Switzerland in the final game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage, becoming the first active WFC player to play and score in the World Cup.

On December 11, 2018, Waston was traded to FC Cincinnati in exchange for $825,000 of allocation money - $450,000 of General Allocation Money, $300,000 of Targeted Allocation Money, and Vancouver may also receive an additional $75,000 in GAM if Waston reaches certain performance-based incentives - as well as a 2019 international roster spot.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2018: Waston scored three goals and two assists while making 26 starts and appearances. 2017: Waston emerged as a leader in his first season as captain for Whitecaps FC, and was honoured as the WFC Player of the Year and named to the MLS Best XI for the second time, while finishing third in voting for MLS Defender of the Year. He started all 25 of his regular season appearances, setting a new career-high with four goals while adding one assist. He led MLS with 104 headed clearances, was second with 181 total clearances, while also leading the team with 50 interceptions, and 26 blocks. He played every minute of the three MLS Cup Playoffs matches, tallying a goal and an assist in the Knockout Round victory over San Jose Earthquakes. 2016: Waston started all of his 26 regular season appearances, tallying three goals and one assist, while finishing seventh in MLS in blocks with 21, and sixth in clearances with 153. Waston also added 62 interceptions, good for second on the team. He opened 2016 with a goal in Week 1 versus Montreal Impact, then added a goal each on July 9 and September 24, both ending in draws versus Colorado Rapids. He recorded his first MLS assist on August 12 against San Jose Earthquakes. Waston was named twice to the MLS Team of the Week - after their Week 3 win at Seattle Sounders FC, and again following their Week 27 win at Columbus Crew SC. Waston scored a goal in the international friendly against Crystal Palace FC, then played 45 minutes versus another English Premier League side Arsenal FC as a member of the MLS All-Star team on the following week. Waston also captained the team versus San Jose Earthquakes on October 16. 2015: Waston had a stellar campaign in his first full season with Whitecaps FC, being voted as WFC BMO Player of the Year, becoming the first WFC player ever to be named to the MLS Best XI, and finishing second in voting for the MLS Defender of the Year. He earned four MLS Team of the Week selections and finished in the top 15 in six statistical categories, placing second in aerials won (121), tied for third in the league in clearances with 195 (133 of them are headed clearances, second most in MLS), tied for 11th in blocks (21), 13th in interceptions (112), and 15th in the league in duels won (183). Waston scored two goals in his 28 league appearances, including the all-important insurance goal in the 3-0 Decision Day win over Houston Dynamo. 2014: After making his debut at striker in an 11-minute appearance against LA Galaxy on August 23, Waston started all nine of his remaining regular season appearances at center back. Waston scored two goals off of set pieces, including the goal that sent the Whitecaps to the playoffs, the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids in the season finale on October 25.

CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
2018: Waston played three full 90-minute performances in the CC. 2016: After missing the semifinal series versus Ottawa Fury FC due to international duty, Waston played the full 90 minutes in both legs of the ACC final against Toronto FC. 2015: Waston started three of the four CC matches to help the ‘Caps to their first-ever Voyageurs Cup. 

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2016: Waston started two matches for Whitecaps FC in their Champions League group stage sweep, captaining the squad in their 4-1 victory over Central FC on September 28. 2015: Waston made one start in the club’s first-ever CONCACAF Champions League campaign, serving as captain and contributing in the clean sheet when the ‘Caps defeated C.D. Olimpia 1-0 on September 16. 

COSTA RICA
2013-14: With Saprissa, Waston scored 7 goals in just 26 appearances, which accounts for the highest goals-per-game pace of his career in Costa Rica. 2012-13: Again on loan with Perez Zeledon, Waston started all 20 of his appearances, scoring four goals. Waston also made three appearances for Saprissa. 2011-12: Waston was loaned out to Perez Zeledon, also in the Primera Division, where he made 33 appearances (31 starts) and scored six goals. 2010-11: Saprissa loaned Waston out to Universidad Costa Rica, where he started in 13 of his 19 appearances, and notched 5 goals. 2009-10: Waston made 4 appearances for Saprissa, starting three of them. 2008-09: After returning from a brief loan with Uraguay’s Club Nacional de Football, Waston appeared in eight matches for Saprissa, including 5 starts. 2007-08: Waston made his first Primera Division appearances, playing in three games for Saprissa.

INTERNATIONAL
On the international stage, the San José native has appeared in over 30 senior international matches for Costa Rica. He scored an added-time goal that clinched a 2018 FIFA World Cup spot for Costa Rica in October 2017, then became the first active WFC player to play and score in the World Cup, heading in a goal against Switzerland. Previously, Waston was named to Costa Rica’s provisional roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Waston also featured for Costa Rica at the youth level, starring at both the 2005 U-17 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup.