The Vancouver Whitecaps are off to a great start in 2026, winning each of their first two MLS matches and qualifying for the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
With the Whitecaps’ core is in-tact and Thomas Müller in place for a full season, optimism is high.
Müller the teammate
Müller scored twice in the Whitecaps’ 3-0 win over Toronto FC on Saturday, but was full of praise for his teammates, including goal-scorer Brian White.
What an unbelievable teammate this guy must be pic.twitter.com/r5uSyiX2Ge
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) March 1, 2026
It would be easy for someone of Müller’s stature to self-promote, but he continues to lift up his Whitecaps teammates.
“I think Thomas understands and knows better than many how important it is that a team is well functioning. He also knows that he scores goals because of help from other players, but he also helps other players,” said Whitecaps coach Jesper Sørensen.
“Thomas could easily just receive his accolades from his game, but he chose to pass them on, and I think that’s great for the team. It’s great for the players getting the recognition from a teammate.”
“We had a good year… but we want to make it great”
Another key cog in the Whitecaps engine is 2025 MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon.
There was some uncertainty regarding his future with the club before eventually signing a contract extension on Feb. 25. It keeps the 29-year-old under club control through the 2029-2030 MLS season.
Speculation initially linked Blackmon to a move to Inter Miami. He was also absent to begin training camp.
“Yeah, I got fined,” Blackmon told Daily Hive, confirming a report by The Athletic’s Tom Bogert.
His focus is clear now, though.
“That’s the plan, to run it back,” Blackmon said. “We had a good year last year, but we want to make it great. The only way to make it great is to bring trophies to the club.”
The 29-year-old is now in his fifth season with the Whitecaps.
“I really love my time here,” Blackmon said. “I feel like I’ve taken a step in my career, along with a lot of other people. We love the city, we love the people. We love everybody around the club who helps us do our job very well. Outside of the pitch me and my girlfriend we love being here and we love having our friends and family come up every year. Yeah, it makes sense.”
Coming off a career season put Blackmon in a terrific negotiating position for an extension, and the interest from Inter Miami certainly didn’t hurt. A salary increase isn’t everything, but it does add to the wonderful life Blackmon, his girlfriend Alli, and their dog Rex have built in Vancouver.
“Money it’s nice to have and everything,” Blackmon said. “But it was important for me and my family to know that we were going to be here. A perk of that is what comes with the contract and figuring out the money and everything. I’m just happy to be here. We were living a great life before the new deal, and I’m just happy to continue being here.”
Bruno Caicedo on his way
Bruno Caicedo has his visa, and he will join the Whitecaps on Thursday. The 21-year-old winger is expected to bring some flair on the flanks when he’s match-ready.
The Ecuadorian joins a list of new faces that include AZ Jackson, Cheikh Sabaly, and Olivier Larraz.
When will Whitecaps fans see Caicedo on the pitch?
“I think we have to be realistic about him,” Sørensen said. “Also [he] has not been playing for a while. We’ll try to bring him in as fast as possible. Hopefully, after the international break, he will probably be good to go. It’s also about where he is physically. He also has to settle.”
How many Whitecaps players will play in the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup is less than 100 days away, and the Whitecaps have several key players who could be representing their countries on the biggest stage in the beautiful game.
Sebastian Berhalter, Tristan Blackmon, and Brian White are all possibilities to represent the U.S., while Ralph Priso and Sam Adekugbe are in contention for Canada.
Andres Cubas will likely represent Paraguay, Kenji Cabrera could play for Peru, and Cheikh Sabaly with Senegal. It’s unlikely that Ryan Gauld will play for Scotland.