What a remarkable season for MLS Cup finalists Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

This season, the squad finished 2nd in the Western Conference & fell in the MLS Cup Finals after a 3-1 defeat to Inter Miami CF

Taking a glance at the overall season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC went 10-3-4 at home & 8-4-5 on the road. They had the 3rd best offense & 2nd best defense across the entire league.

The club also won two pieces of silverware this season. (Canadian Championship & Cascadia Cup).

With their roster decisions published, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will have a good amount of roster flexibility.

The biggest questions for this group are: How can this club make improvements to an already talented roster? Who do they really lose this offseason? Where are their positional needs?

In the offseason guide:

The Positives

Brian White was an unstoppable force in Vancouver’s attack this season. The 29-year-old forward had 17 goal contributions (16 goals & 1 assist) in 21 games this season. He, along with midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (15 goal contributions - 4 goals & 11 assists) & goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (MLS Goalkeeper of the Year runner-up) were MLS All-Stars this season. These 3 were extremely important towards Vancouver’s success this season.

Signing free agent midfielder Thomas Muller was a spectacular decision. The 36-year-old midfielder left Bayern Munich (2007-25) after 18-remarkable seasons where he won 13 Bundesliga titles, 6 DFB-Pokal titles, 8 DFL-Supercups, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 2 FIFA Club World Cups & 1 FIFA World Cup. In his first season with Vancouver, Muller had 10 goal contributions in 7 matches (7 goals & 3 assists). He’ll be on a Designated Player contract in 2026 and will be a vital part of Vancouver’s attack.

Talk about a debut season for winger Anders Dreyer. The 27-year-old forward had an astonishing 38 goal contributions (19 goals & 19 assists) in 34 regular season games this season. It’s no shock that the DP forward was in contention for MLS MVP the entire season & won MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Vancouver had the 3rd best offense & 2nd best defense in the league. Scoring 66 goals, their offense was menacing all season. Additionally, only allowing only 38 goals on the year, their back line was unnavigable.

Vancouver had TWENTY different goalscorers this season, with SEVEN of those players with 3+ goals (White, Muller, Sabbi, Laborda, Berhalter, Vite, & Rios).

Instead of participating in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or Leagues Cup, the club elected to participate in the Canadian Championship & Concacaf Champions Cup. These were both extremely smart decisions by the club.

In the Canadian Championship, the defending champions did not disappoint. The club defeated Canadian Premier League side Valour FC (4-3 on aggregate) in the Quarterfinals, defeated Canadian Premier League side Forge FC (6-2 on aggregate) in the Semifinals and were victorious 4-2 over Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC in the finals.

In the Concacaf Champions Cup, the club did extremely well in the competition. The club defeated Deportivo Saprissa (3-2 on aggregate) after two legs in the first round, tied Monterrey (3-3 on aggregate after both legs, but advanced due to away goals) in the Round of 16, tied Pumas (3-3 on aggregate after both legs, but advanced due to away goals), and defeated Inter Miami CF (5-1 on aggregate). They unfortunately fell in the final.

The Negatives

Vancouver fell 3-1 to Inter Miami CF in the 2025 MLS Cup Final. The squad got extremely unlucky, as they dominated the majority of the game and even had a double post in the 60th minute. Just an unfortunate ending for the Canadian side.

Vancouver were annihilated in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. The squad lost 5-0 to Cruz Azul & were honestly embarrassing. After 90 minutes of play, they had zero total shots & had 34% possession. Just honestly sad.

Roster Flexibility

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have a good amount of roster flexibility. At the moment, the club has three designated players (Thomas Muller, Andres Cubas & Ryan Gauld) and two U-22 initiative signings (Kenji Cabrera & Edier Ocampo).

This club is in the 3DP & 3U22 model. In regard to GAM totals, the club has $1,648,728 of GAM (as of Sept. 18, 2025).

The club announced their end-of-season roster update, where they announced most contract option decisions. 

The club is entering the 2026 season with 26 players as of December 8th.

Offseason Priorities

Sign a U22 player that will help improve this roster.

Re-sign Belal Halbouni (Option Declined - in negotiations over return) & Yohei Takaoka (Out of Contract - in negotiations over return).