The long wait is almost over for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
A crowd of over 35,000 is expected when the Whitecaps play LAFC on Saturday in their first match at BC Place since April 25. Heading into the match, the Whitecaps are tied for first in the MLS Western Conference with a 10-3-3 record.
But before then, Daily Hive spoke to Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster at MLS All-Star week in Charlotte.
Stadium update
Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images
Meetings upon meetings continue to take place with no positive shift on the long-term Whitecaps stadium future. MLS Commissioner Don Garber did not hold an All-Star week press conference and was not made available to the press that were not based in Charlotte.
Daily Hive asked Schuster if there were any developments or encouraging movement.
“No. I can’t say that,” Schuster said. “I would say that there have been a lot of discussions lately with all different types of groups. I think a few more things have been clearly identified that have to change to find a solution for the club in our market. Now we are working with all those groups who can change them, if we can get them changed. Of course it comes back to the stadium situation, and it comes back to some other things.”
The Whitecaps currently do not have an agreement to play games at BC Place beyond the 2026 campaign.
“I think the most positive thing I can say is that everyone is available and we’ve had a lot of talks lately, but we’ve had no breakthrough yet.”
Whitecaps trying to add another new player
Simon Fearn/Imagn Images
The Whitecaps added 23-year-old Canadian striker Kwasi Poku from Belgian side RWDM Brussels on Thursday.
“We are excited to welcome Kwasi to our group,” Schuster said in a press release. “Kwasi is a young, talented Canadian international who brings pace, intelligent movement, and finishing ability to our attack.”
This is the first summer addition for the Whitecaps as they start next month with five matches across MLS and Leagues Cup play in the first 19 days of August.
The transfer of Poku isn’t the only transfer shopping that Schuster has planned during the MLS secondary transfer window, which remains open until Sept. 2. After losing Sebastian Berhalter, the Whitecaps would like to add a player of significance.
“Our intention is to bring in at least one player who we think has the profile of being a player who can be a starter right away,” Schuster said. “We would like to add at least more than one player who gives us some more depth. The idea is to definitely bring in one who can help right away.”
Schuster has been talking with at least three candidates, none of whom participated in the 2026 World Cup. Schuster would not say whether any of the players have MLS experience.
Müller recovered from injury
Bob Frid/Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The Whitecaps continue to be hit hard with injuries. Ranko Veselinovic will be sidelined for multiple weeks with a left knee injury. The severity of his repaired torn ACL is unclear.
“It looks like hopefully a small re-injury,” Schuster said. “I will remain positive that it’s not terrible [news]. The experts and the surgeon need to give us a recommendation and their opinion because it’s coming down to the surgeon who did the surgery and what they say.”
Thomas Müller was also impacted by an injury ahead of the Whitecaps’ 4-3 loss to FC Cincinnati on July 22. Müller was able to return to play 90 minutes on July 25, and 30 minutes during the MLS All-Star Game.
“Thomas got injured, not big, but before we travelled to Cincinnati,” Schuster revealed. “We’ve had to do a lot of small changes. It’s so important that, other than Thomas and Andres [Cubas], everyone has a full week of rest this week.”
Gauld looks like himself again
Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images
Now for some positive injury updates.
Sam Adekugbe made his MLS return after 423 days when he came on in second-half stoppage time against Minnesota. Ralph Priso is expected to be available for selection on Saturday, and Ryan Gauld has looked phenomenal since his return.
Gauld had a brace in his MLS return against FC Cincinnati and played 45 minutes against Minnesota. The 30-year-old Scottish midfielder was moving and looking a lot like the player he was before his knee injury.
“It’s great to see Gauldy and to see how good Gauldy is feeling,” Schuster said. “You also see that he’s coming out of a different schedule. He hasn’t had to go through a whole season.”
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