VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC has confirmed the club’s coaching and technical staff for Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) during the upcoming inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season.
Nick Dasovic will continue to work with the club’s top young prospects as head coach of WFC2. Joining Dasovic are assistant coach Brendan Shaw, goalkeeper coach Raegyn Hall, and performance coach Tom Ryan. Rounding out the staff are equipment manager Brad Smith, team administrator Andrew Bell, and athletic therapist Matt Baranowicz.
“We’re pleased to have an experienced coach such as Nick Dasovic leading WFC2 and working with our staff to push the top young players in our club towards the first team,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Nick understands what it takes to make that jump, and he brings with him experiences from representing Canada on the international level, and playing club football both in Canada and overseas.”
Holding a UEFA Pro licence, Dasovic has coached with the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy since 2019. He has also previously been an assistant coach with Toronto FC, San Jose Earthquakes, Simon Fraser University, and Canada’s men’s national team programs, and interim head coach for Toronto FC in 2010, head coach of Canada’s U-23 national team in 2008, and head coach of Canada U-20 national team from 2011 to 2013.
"Our goal is to help these young players reach their potential," added Dasovic. "I've been through this before in my own career, so I'm looking forward to supporting, guiding, and pushing them."
A relentless midfielder in his playing career, Dasovic played in 63 caps for Canada’s senior men’s national team, scoring two goals. At the club level he played overseas for Dinamo Zagreb in Crotia, St Johnstone in Scotland, Stade Briochin in France, and Trelleborgs FF in Sweden. Back in his home country, he suited up for Montreal Impact, and in Vancouver for both the 86ers and Whitecaps.
Hall, Ryan, Smith, Bell, and Baranowicz continue with the club from the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy, while Shaw joins the ‘Caps after most recently serving as first team assistant coach with FC Edmonton in the Canadian Premier League. Prior to his time in Edmonton, Shaw was assistant coach at Simon Fraser University from 2018-2020, and head coach and academy director at Mountain United FC from 2015-2020. The North Vancouver native has also been a part of the BC Soccer Provincial Team Program and is currently finishing his UEFA A coaching licence.
WFC2 kick off their season this coming Saturday, March 26 in an MLS NEXT Pro “Game of the Week” in Houston against Dynamo Dos. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. PT, broadcast live at mlsnextpro.com. The first home match will be on Sunday, April 10 against Timbers 2 at Swangard Stadium.
