It’s been a few weeks since the Vancouver Whitecaps season ended.
After winning the Canadian Championship for the third year in a row, the Whitecaps went out in the first round of the playoffs. For the second year in a row, it was against LAFC. This time, it was much closer.
So here at the Area 51 Sports Network, it’s time for an annual tradition. That’s the end-of-season player ratings for the Whitecaps. It’s grading season!
For those who don’t know how this works, I give each Whitecap player a rating out of 10 and give reasons why. But there is a challenge. I have to provide the reasons in five sentences or less.
The ratings take into account for all competitions. That includes MLS, MLS Cup Playoffs, Leagues Cup, Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions Cup. The friendly against Wrexham does not count.
And of course, this is just my opinion, feel free to tell me how right or wrong I am.
Goalkeepers
Yohei Takaoka: 8/10
I feel like Takaoka had a better 2024 than 2023. His shot-stopping looked better and the stats show it. Despite having one less clean sheet in 2024, (seven this year, eight last year) Takaoka’s save percentage went up from 67.9% to 68.2%. His post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed improved from +0.8 to +2.7. Those aren’t huge jumps and Takaoka’s numbers were in the middle of MLS and while he isn’t elite, he’s a capable starter for the Whitecaps.
Isaac Boehmer: 8/10
Boehmer didn’t play much in 2024 but when he did, he played well. After all, the Whitecaps wouldn’t have won the Canadian Championship without him and would not have beaten LAFC in Leagues Cup action. However, it is clear that Boehmer needs to work on his game more. In 2025, he needs more MLS action.
Defenders
Ranko Veselinovic: 9/10
Veselinovic showed why he is one of the most reliable and underrated MLS defenders this past season. No player in MLS had more clearances than him and he had 178, 22 more than LA Galaxy’s Maya Yoshida. Sure, there were some poor rush defending at times but for the most part, the Serbian was a reliable and solid defender in 2024.
Tristan Blackmon: 6/10
Blackmon started the season off decently. However, he had a stretch of play in the summer (the late fall stretch was poor but the whole team was) when he looked poor, a groin injury that kept him sidelined for about a month. He didn’t have a bad season but an OK one. The underlying numbers show that Blackmon’s defensive numbers are in the low percentiles, including the first percentile in tackles, 26th percentile in interceptions, and 12th percentile in clearances. Of course, those stats don’t define his whole season and hopefully, he can bounce back next season.
Bjorn Inge Utvik: 8/10
Utvik looked like a good fit early in the season. His blocks, clearances and passes were on point. However, there were times during the season when he would carelessly give the ball away and lose his man easily. However, Utvik proved he can start for the Whitecaps regularly and is a key part of the backline.
Mathias Laborda: 6/10
Laborda’s season was very up and down. During some games, he would look impassable on the right side and his passing looked incredible. (Fyi, he was in the 97th percentile in progressive passing) But there were games where he would be walked through like a turnstile. Laborda was the Whitecaps chaos agent this past season. While that is entertaining, consistency would be better.
Sam Adekugbe: 6/10
Sure, it’s harsh to give Adekugbe a six as he spent a large chunk of the season injured. When he did play, it took him time to get going but he eventually showed he is a key part of the Whitecaps with his pace, crosses and passes. Defensively, there were times where he made mistakes but here’s hoping he stays healthy next season.
Ryan Raposo: 7/10
Raposo had his best season statistically with three goals and four assists in MLS play. The Canadian also had his offensive stats in the 80th and 90th percentiles. Defensively, there has been gradual improvement but again, still not great. As the season went on, Raposo looked dangerous with the ball near the box. His creativity went to a different level in 2024.
Giuseppe Bovalina: N/A as he hasn’t played much
Bovalina came from Adelaide United in the spring. He has only played 173 minutes but the potential is there. The Australian’s crossing and vision have been put on display when he has played. One to watch for the future and he could have an increased role next season.
Edier Ocampo: N/A as he hasn’t played much
The Colombian wing-back has promise. When he has played he looks good with the ball and has shown flashes of being good without it. Ocampo was signed for next season and beyond. The 21-year-old could be a key player on the Whitecaps one day.
Belal Halbouni: N/A as he hasn’t played much
Halbouni only played three MLS matches and two in Leagues Cup. He waited a while to get his first minutes and in them, was a calm presence in the back.
Midfielders
Ryan Gauld:10/10
Not much to say here that hasn’t already been said. Gauld is this team’s leader, face and best player. Despite some injuries, Gauld led the way with his creativity, work-rate and goals and earned his first call-ups for Scotland. He was a force in the playoffs and had 86 key passes in the regular season, which was in the top five in MLS. Another great season for the Flying Scotsman.
Andres Cubas: 10/10
Pretty much every game was routine for Cubas. He just wins the ball back and passes it forward. Cubas’ tackles and interceptions were in the 96th percentile as well. Another easy perfect score.
Alessandro Schöpf: 6/10
Schöpf played as a wing-back and in the midfield this season. His passing looked decent as his pass completion is in the 94th percentile. However, his defensive stats are below the 30th percentile including tackles at the fifth percentile. Schöpf’s passing on the transitions wasn’t that great either. Overall, he was quiet but a player of his salary ($900,000 in base) needed to do more.
Pedro Vite: 7/10
Vite started slow but things turned around once the weather got warmer. The Ecuadorian’s passing was solid, especially when it came to progressive passes as that was in the 95th percentile. He is evolving into the playmaker that he can be. However, his defensive play looked poor but it didn’t help that he was playing deeper down the pitch. It’s safe to say Vite is progressing, slowly but surely.
Ali Ahmed: 6/10
2024 looked like it could have been a big year for Ali Ahmed. It was…just for Canada and not the Whitecaps. It is not that Ahmed had a bad season but it could’ve been more. He only managed one goal and one assist in MLS play and while he was good with the ball, it felt like he was doing too much at the same time. 2025 could be Ahmed’s big year.
Sebastian Berhalter: 9/10
Berhalter had a rough start to 2024 but once he got going, he excelled. Whether it was in the six, eight or even as a right-back or right centre-back, Berhalter proved he can do the job. He’s a player that every team would like to have. Berhalter has become one of the Whitecaps’ key pieces even if he doesn’t start every game.
Stuart Armstrong: N/A as he hasn’t played enough
It’s hard to judge the newest Designated Player. After all, he only played 128 minutes but did end up with one regular season goal (against the San Jose Earthquakes) and scored one and managed two assists in the wild-card win over the Portland Timbers. It took time for Armstrong to get match fit but he showed what he can do with his delivery. A full year of him with Gauld is one reason to get excited for 2025.
Ralph Priso: 5/10
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what Priso brought and what he could be for most of the season. However, in the fall, he showed some improvement. That was mainly because he was playing as a six instead of an eight. Next season, if he is a depth spot for the six role, it may or may not work.
Jeevan Badwal: N/A as he hasn’t played much
The 18-year-old Surrey native is a ball-winning box-to-box midfielder with potential. Badwal will be depth for next year but his development will be one to watch.
Forwards
Brian White: 9/10
White once again scored 15 goals and was one of the top scorers in MLS. But once again, his streakiness was put on display. White went on long stretches without scoring and missed some big chances. The big misses in the playoffs against LAFC still sting. While White is a fantastic MLS striker, there needs to be another striker brought in to compete with him in case he goes on another cold streak.
Fafa Picault: 9/10
Picault was a surprise, he was originally a signing for depth but had the best season of his career. With nine goals and five assists in MLS play, Picault became a fan favourite with his speed, tenacity and ability to win 1-on-1 duels. He did have a stretch in May and June when he went quiet but for the most part, he exceeded expectations by a country mile. Now will the Whitecaps pick up his option and bring him back next season?
Damir Kreilach: 4/10
Kreilach was signed for depth and to come off the bench. Other than two goals, he hasn’t made the impact that was expected of him. It didn’t help that he was used sparsely late in the season and he isn’t the player he once was. In the build-up, he would often slow things down. However, he has one year left on his contract.
Levonte Johnson: 4/10
Johnson has the speed and can score some nice goals. However, the goals have not translated into MLS play and his lack of technical ability has frustrated fans. Johnson did have his moments including a brace against Cavalry in the Canadian Championship.
Deiber Caicedo: N/A as he has not played much
It will be interesting to see if Caicedo’s option is picked up or not. In 126 minutes after he returned from his loan from Junior, Caicedo did impress. His speed, agility and ability to win 1-on-1s were on full display. But will he be back next season?
Head coach Vanni Sartini: 7/10
Sartini faced scrutiny during the season and especially during the fall slump. It was hard not to see why some fans called for his head on various social media platforms: There were questionable lineup decisions, and late substitutions and Sartini had trouble adapting to certain situations. However, Sartini’s system suits the team well and I believe he is the right man on the touchline going forward. But 2025 will bring a lot of pressure for Sartini to deliver as it is the final year of his contract.
