The 17th team to enter the MLS, Vancouver Whitecaps became the first Canadian team to qualify for the MLS Cup in 2012. While they were soon knocked out of Cup, it was still a historic achievement. In the 8 seasons since Whitecaps first appeared in the MLS, they have only won 1 silverware, which was the 2015 Canadian Championship. Their best conference result was 2nd place in 2015. Whitecaps also qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League twice, in 2015 and 2016.
Head Coach: Marc Dos Santos
Newly appointed head coach, who was an assistant and a head coach in 11 teams in his coaching career. In 11 years, he has achieved numerous titles with the clubs he managed as well as a nomination for Coach of the Year in 2009. His experience and knowledge will surely be a huge asset to the Whitecaps.
Transfers
[su_table url=”” responsive=”no” class=””]
| Date | Name | Moving from | Moving to | Mode of Transfer |
| February 1, 2019 | Jasser Khmiri | Stade Tunisien | Vancouver Whitecaps | Transfer |
| February 8, 2019 | Joaquín Ardaiz | Chiasso | Vancouver Whitecaps | Loan |
| January 23, 2019 | Lass Bangoura | Rayo Vallecano | Vancouver Whitecaps | Loan |
| January 22, 2019 | Jon Erice | Albacete | Vancouver Whitecaps | Transfer |
| January 30, 2019 | Hwang In-beom | Daejeon Citizen | Vancouver Whitecaps | Transfer |
| January 18, 2019 | Derek Cornelius | Javor Ivanjica | Vancouver Whitecaps | Transfer |
| December 9, 2018 | Andy Rose | Motherwell | Vancouver Whitecaps | Free |
| February 15, 2019 | Fredy Montero | Sporting CP | Vancouver Whitecaps | Free |
| December 9, 2018 | PC | Orlando City | Vancouver Whitecaps | Trade |
| January 30, 2019 | Scott Sutter | Orlando City | Vancouver Whitecaps | Free |
| December 9, 2018 | Maxime Crépeau | Montreal Impact | Vancouver Whitecaps | Trade |
| December 9, 2018 | Zac MacMath | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps | Trade |
| January 25, 2019 | Lucas Venuto | Austria Wien | Vancouver Whitecaps | Transfer |
| February 8, 2019 | Érik Godoy | Colón | Vancouver Whitecaps | Loan |
| February 2, 2019 | Cristian Techera | Vancouver Whitecaps | Belgrano | Free |
| December 30, 2018 | Brek Shea | Vancouver Whitecaps | Atlanta United | Free |
| January 28, 2019 | Anthony Blondell | Vancouver Whitecaps | Huachipato | Loan |
| January 1, 2019 | José Aja | Vancouver Whitecaps | Unión Española | Free |
| December 9, 2018 | Nicolás Mezquida | Vancouver Whitecaps | Colorado Rapids | Trade |
| December 9, 2018 | Spencer Richey | Vancouver Whitecaps | FC Cincinnati | Trade |
| December 11, 2018 | Kei Kamara | Vancouver Whitecaps | FC Cincinnati | Expansion Draft |
| December 11, 2018 | Kendall Waston | Vancouver Whitecaps | FC Cincinnati | Trade |
| January 1, 2019 | Alphonso Davies | Vancouver Whitecaps | Bayern Munich | Transfer |
| January 6, 2019 | Ali Ghazal | Vancouver Whitecaps | Feirense | Free |
| December 14, 2018 | Erik Hurtado | Vancouver Whitecaps | Sporting Kansas City | Trade |
[/su_table]
Expectations for the 2019 season
Vancouver Whitecaps are still far from winning the MLS Cup, but with all the changes their future looks bright. Marc Dos Santos is a great addition to the squad, which should help with the rebuilding process. As a team that is rebuilding, the expectations cannot be too high, still, I do believe they are a dark horse to appear in the playoffs. I would not bet my money on it, but I am excited to see what Marc Dos Santos can do with this team.
