VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has signed Whitecaps FC BMO Academy midfielder Liam Mackenzie to a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) through 2026.
The Comox, BC native first joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 13-year-old in August 2020, and becomes the 13th Canadian teenager to be signed to a professional contract since WFC2 began play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022.
Whitecaps FC midfielder Liam Mackenzie
- 17-year-old was the youngest player at Whitecaps FC preseason in Coachella Valley, California
- Three MLS NEXT Pro appearances as an amateur player with WFC2
- Started three of his five appearances for Canada at the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship
“We are pleased to sign Liam to a professional contract as he continues his development as a young player,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Liam was the youngest player during our preseason camp in California and has showed that he is ready to take this next step in his career. Our MLS NEXT Pro team continues to be an important professional platform and stepping stone to our first team.”
All players signed to MLS NEXT Pro rosters are eligible to be called up on short-term agreements to the MLS roster. Whitecaps FC have led the league in call-ups since the league launched, signing nine different players to short-term agreements over the past two seasons, and have signed three players from the second team to the MLS roster.
Mackenzie, 17, has already made three appearances as an amateur player with WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro, most recently featuring as a substitute in the side’s 5-3 victory over Real Monarchs on March 23. He was also the youngest player to participate in the first team’s preseason camp in Coachella Valley, California, coming off the bench in friendly matches against San Jose Earthquakes and Orange County SC.
“I am very excited to have signed my first professional contract with Whitecaps FC”. said Mackenzie, “It’s the first step towards achieving my goals and it’s an amazing feeling to know that all my hard work has paid off. I’m really grateful for my family, they’ve helped me so much and have been supportive every step of the way in my journey. I’m also grateful to the club, my teammates, and all the coaches that have helped me reach this point.”
Prior to moving up to MLS NEXT Pro, Mackenzie played with the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy in MLS NEXT. Mackenzie first joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 13-year-old in August 2020 after playing with Vancouver Island Wave in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League. During his time with the Academy, the youngster captained both the U-15 and U-17 sides and has taken part in three Generation adidas Cups with both age groups. He’s also been a recipient of several Whitecaps FC BMO Academy awards, including the 2022 U-15 Player of the Year award and Academy Best XI, and the 2023 U-17 Student Athlete award and Cornerstone award.
On the international stage, Mackenzie has represented Canada at the U-17 level, playing a year up when he began competing with the side. The midfielder started three of his five appearances at the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship, adding a goal and an assist as the team reached the semifinals of the tournament. Mackenzie was also an alternate for Canada at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.
TRANSACTION: On April 9, 2024, Whitecaps FC sign midfielder Liam Mackenzie to an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) through 2026.
Liam Mackenzie
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 pounds
Date of Birth: March 15, 2007 in Comox, BC
Hometown: Comox, BC
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Youth clubs: Whitecaps FC BMO Academy, Vancouver Island Wave
Instagram: @liam_mackenzie
