PROFILE
From North Vancouver, BC, midfielder Thomas Gardner joined Whitecaps FC Residency in September 2011 after playing on Metro Vancouver’s North Shore and in the ‘Caps Prospects program. He signed with Whitecaps FC 2 in August 2015.
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
2017: Gardner started 17 of his 21 appearances, making one assist against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in Week 20. 2016: Gardner started seven of his 16 regular appearances in his first full USL season, tallying two assists. He also featured in two playoff matches, both as a substitute. 2015: Gardner joined Whitecaps FC 2 late in the season, making three consecutive substitute appearances to finish the year. He made his WFC2 debut as a 78th-minute substitute versus Sacramento Republic FC on September 6, creating a late scoring chance.
FIRST TEAM
2016: Gardner made one preseason appearance with the first team, playing 10 substitute minutes in the 2-0 win over Portland Timbers on February 24.
UNITED STATES SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
2015-16: Gardner started in 21 of his 23 appearances for Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency, scoring five goals. 2014-15: Gardner scored three goals for Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency, starting 16 of his 20 regular season appearances. 2012-13: Gardner started 11 of his 16 regular season appearances for Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC PROSPECTS
From 2007 to 2011, Gardner was a member of Whitecaps FC Prospects, where he trained under Residency staff coach Bart Choufour.
INTERNATIONAL
U-15: Gardner was called up as part of a 30-player group assembled for a three-day prospects evaluation for the U-15 Canadian men’s national team. The camp was held from June 4 through June 6 in Montreal, Quebec. He was also named to the Canadian men's U-15 20-man roster for the 2013 Copa Mexico de Naciones which took place in Mexico City from August 10 to 18. U-17: Gardner participated in U-17 camps in December 2014 and January 2015.
YOUTH/AMATEUR
Gardner has been in soccer since a very early age. As a member of the Lynn Valley Soccer Association in North Vancouver, BC, the midfielder played from U-6 to U-12 levels for the club between 2003 and 2009. In the 2010-11 season, Gardner played for the U-14 B team of the North Shore Premier Player Program. He then joined the Whitecaps FC Prospects team from 2007-2011 before progressing up to the U-16 squad. The midfielder also represented his home province of British Columbia at the U-13 level, and he was a member of the U-15 Canadian national team as well.
PERSONAL
As a student on the North Shore, Gardner attended Upper Lynn Elementary School from 2003 to 2011. The midfielder currently attends Burnaby Central Secondary School in Burnaby, BC.
INTERESTING FACTS
The 5-foot-8 midfielder's favourite soccer team is German club, Borussia Dortmund, while his favourite player is their talented midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan. He dreams of one day playing in Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou stadium. When not playing soccer, the midfielder enjoys swimming, skiing, and biking. His favourite food of choice is ribs.