Well, it is that time of year: The 2025 Vancouver Whitecaps midseason player ratings.

The Whitecaps were a great story…until they lost 5-0 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final to Cruz Azul. Still, they are in the midst of a Supporters Shield race, have a chance to go deep in the MLS Cup playoffs and win a fourth straight Canadian Championship. A great story can still be written.

Can the Whitecaps use their Champions Cup final defeat not as the start of a midseason slump, but as fuel for a deep playoff run? The upcoming stretch of games will be tough due to international call-ups.

But it has felt like a dream season for the most part for Whitecaps fans. No one expected Vancouver to be where they are right now.

So with the calendar flipping to June and the weather getting warmer, it is time for a semi-annual tradition here at Area 51 Sports Network: Whitecaps player ratings. Yes, it is time for the Whitecaps midseason player ratings.

For those who are new here and don’t know how this works, we give each Whitecap a rating out of 10 and give our reasoning in five sentences or less. You are allowed to disagree or agree as much as you want. Keep in mind, that these ratings take into account all competitions.

Goalkeepers

Yohei Takaoka: 9/10

It is safe to say Takaoka is having his best season as a Whitecap. Sure, there have been a couple of times when he has given up a bad goal, (such as the away win against Real Salt Lake) but the Japanese goalkeeper has been a calm and steady presence at the back with his distribution and shot-stopping. In MLS, Takaoka is tied for second in clean sheets (7) and is number one in least goals against per 90 minutes. (0.67) Sure, that is largely due to having a solid defensive unit in front of him, but Takaoka has been reliable when called upon in MLS and the Champions Cup.

Isaac Boehmer: N/A as he hasn’t played much

Boehmer has also played the first Canadian Championship quarterfinal first leg against Valour. He did look shaky in that game but as more Canadian Championship and MLS games approach, he should get more starts.

Defenders

Ranko Veselinovic: 9/10

Veselinovic has become one of the leaders and veterans of the Whitecaps. This year, his blocks, tackles and clearances have helped Vancouver become a solid defensive team. He and Tristan Blackmon have become one of the best defensive duos in MLS. Speaking of Blackmon…

Tristan Blackmon: 10/10

After a rough 2024, (by his standards) Blackmon has improved massively. Not only is he good at clearances and blocks but his progressive passing has also been great. He has even had the nose to move up and score goals, including the last-minute winner in Pumas. Blackmon’s efforts have garnered notice from the USMNT camp and even the Canadian setup.

Bjorn Inge Utvik: 5/10

Utvik’s season had a rough start due to injuries and illness. But when he has gotten back, he has struggled with transitions and has gotten flat-footed. Still, he has a long season to get more minutes and improve.

Belal Halbouni: N/A as he has not played much

Halbouni deserves more game time. He is a calm and composed defender and scored a big goal in the Champions Cup Round of 16 first leg against Monterrey.

Mathias Laborda: 9/10

After an up-and-down 2024, Laborda has also improved in 2025. His defending and 1 on 1 abilities have gotten better and so has his crossing and service. This season, he has shown he is an essential part of the squad.

Edier Ocampo: 7/10

Brought in from Atletico Nacional last summer, 21-year-old Ocampo has shown strides in his development. Ocampo’s movement and crosses from the right flank have been a vital part of the Whitecaps attack. However, it is clear there still needs to be improvement defensively and on his composure, as there have been numerous defensive mistakes and poor tackles leading to fouls.

Tate Johnson: 7/10

Johnson has been a great story. The 19-year-old was put in a tough situation as Sam Adekugbe went down injured. Johnson’s ability to win duels and tackles, make excellent passes and kickstart the attack has been great to watch. There is still a lot for him to learn, especially defensively, but that is normal for a player of his age. Hopefully, Johnson gets better and better.

Sam Adekugbe: N/A as he hasn’t played much

It’s a shame Adekugbe missed 51 days with a hamstring injury. He started so well with two goals in the first two games. But Adekugbe has gotten back into action and has proven he is a vital part of this Whitecaps squad.

Giuseppe Bovalina: N/A as he hasn’t played much

Bovalina hasn’t gotten a lot of game time this season as he has only played 141 minutes across all competitions. He even played a couple of games with Whitecaps FC 2. However, Bovalina did start and play the full 90 on April 27 away to Minnesota United and managed to get an assist. His crosses and pace to run up the pitch make him a solid depth piece.

Midfielders

Andres Cubas: 10/10

Yes, he had a disaster of a Champions Cup final, (the whole team did) but as a whole, Cubas has had a great season. There is a reason why earns the Designated Player money, as his ball-winning ability is among the best in the league. In a system that prioritizes winning the ball back, Cubas is the man for the job. Surely, he will bounce back as the season goes on.

Sebastian Berhalter: 10/10

Since he arrived in Vancouver in 2022, Berhalter has risen from depth piece to vital starter. His defensive work, progressive passing and even goals have made him a vital part of the midfield and one of the Whitecaps best players this season. Berhalter has 11 tackles in the final third and that is tied for second in MLS.

Pedro Vite: 9/10

In previous years, Vite would take a while to get going. This year, he has hit the ground running. It really feels like the Ecuadorian international has taken his game to a different level. His passing, shooting and work rate are miles ahead of last year. Also, Vite needs to stay in the midfield because he just does not work as a winger.

Ralph Priso: 8/10

Another player that has improved, Priso has shown he can play a quiet, simple, yet effective game. The Canadian has been good at moving the ball up the pitch and his defensive game is much better than last year. Priso has proven he does belong on this team and is a serviceable depth piece.

JC Ngando: 7/10

After spending last season on loan with Las Vegas Lights FC, 2025 was the season for Ngando to improve himself. So far, he has delivered some excellent passes (especially from deep) and has proven he can be reliable defensively. However, there are times when he makes mistakes with and without the ball and looks hesitant to shoot. Nonetheless, Ngando is a worthy option off the bench.

Ryan Gauld: N/A as he hasn’t played much

It is weird to put the N/A beside Gauld’s name as he normally would be a nine or 10 out of 10. But Gauld has been out with an injured knee since March 8. At the time of this writing, there is no timeline for him to return. But when he does, there is no doubt he will be the “working class DP” once again.

Jeevan Badwal: N/A as he hasn’t played much

Badwal is a player with potential. There is still lots of room for growth, especially defensively. The 19-year-old has mainly come off the bench this season but has made some good passes and displayed solid tackling ability, especially in his start against Valour in the Canadian Championship.

Forwards

Ali Ahmed: 8/10

Ahmed seems more comfortable as a winger than as a wing-back or midfielder last season. The Canadian international has done a good job dribbling into the box, winning duels and providing service. There are times when he holds onto the ball too long or loses it too quickly, but for the most part, Ahmed has done well. Ahmed is second in MLS in goal-creating actions per 90, (1.04) only behind Lionel Messi.

Jayden Nelson: 9/10

The speedy winger has become a fan favourite. Nelson brought a new dynamic in the attack with his speed and it has been great watching him take on defenders.

Emmanuel Sabbi: 8/10

Sabbi started the season with an injury, but when he returned he showed Whitecaps fans why he was signed from Le Havre. He has been solid at winning the ball back, carrying it into the attacking third and creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates. However, Sabbi does tend to miss easy chances and does turn the ball over, but he still gets a high rating.

Brian White: 10/10

It has been hard to keep White off the scoresheet this season. For three straight years, he has scored at least 15 goals across all competitions and he has 10 in MLS so far. If there is anyone who could be an MVP candidate on the Whitecaps, it’s definitely White.

Daniel Rios: 3/10

Rios was signed on loan to provide veteran striker relief for White. So far, he has only one goal and hasn’t really been the backup striker the Whitecaps have hoped for. White is great at hold-up play where as Rios is more of a target man. Despite the service, Rios isn’t doing enough to make the most of it or put the ball in the net.

Damir Kreilach: N/A as he hasn’t played much

Kreilach has only made three appearances this season, and his only start came against Valour. He did not do that well against the CPL side. Unfortunately, father time has got to Kreilach and his best use is coming off the bench late in games.

Head coach Jesper Sørensen: 9/10

The first-year Danish head coach came with a tactical identity and a mission to evolve the Whitecaps. Sørensen has done that and made them look like one of MLS and CONCACAF’s elites. He has done well with squad rotation so far, but his first big test will be these next few weeks with the Gold Cup taking several Whitecaps players. Can Sørensen guide this team through the second half of the season and deep into the playoffs?

*Stats courtesy of FootballReference.