2023 Vancouver FC season

The 2023 Vancouver FC season was the first season in the history of Vancouver FC.[1] In addition to the Canadian Premier League, the club competed in the Canadian Championship.[2]

Vancouver FC
2023 season
PresidentRob Friend
CoachAfshin Ghotbi
StadiumWilloughby Community Park Stadium
Canadian Premier League7th
Canadian ChampionshipPreliminary round
Top goalscorerShaan Hundal
Gabriel Bitar (6 each)
Highest home attendance6,177 vs. Cavalry FC
(May 7)
Lowest home attendance2,099 vs. HFX Wanderers
(September 23)
Average home league attendance2,790
Biggest win2–0 vs. Forge FC
(Home, June 20, CPL)
Biggest defeat0–5 vs. Atlético Ottawa
(Home, May 13, CPL)
2024 →

For their inaugural season, Vancouver FC appointed Afshin Ghotbi as the club's new head coach on November 2, 2022.[3]

Current squad

As of September 5, 2023

No.NameNationalityPosition(s)Date of birth (Age)Previous club
Goalkeepers
1Callum Irving GK (1993-03-16)March 16, 1993 (aged 30) Pacific FC
21Jeremy Zielinski GK (1999-01-01)January 1, 1999 (aged 24) Hawaii Pacific Sharks
Defenders
2Kadin Chung RB (1998-09-05)September 5, 1998 (aged 25) Toronto FC
3Rocco Romeo CB (2000-03-25)March 25, 2000 (aged 23) Valour FC
4Ibrahim Bakare CB (2002-05-07)May 7, 2002 (aged 21) Cheshunt F.C.
12Tyler Crawford LB (2004-03-09)March 9, 2004 (aged 19) Michigan State Spartans
20Anthony White CB (2003-08-01)August 1, 2003 (aged 20) Toronto Varsity Blues
25James Cameron RB (2005-01-24)January 24, 2005 (aged 18) Unity FC
Midfielders
6Renan Garcia CM (1986-06-19)June 19, 1986 (aged 37) Comercial
8Nima Moazeni Zadeh CM / AM (1997-07-05)July 5, 1997 (aged 26) Capilano Blues
11Gabriel Bitar AM / CF (1998-08-23)August 23, 1998 (aged 25) FC Edmonton
13Vasco Fry CM (2000-07-30)July 30, 2000 (aged 23) Whitecaps FC 2
14Nicky Gyimah RW (2003-05-27)May 27, 2003 (aged 20) Slough Town
16Elliot Simmons CM (1998-02-05)February 5, 1998 (aged 25) Cavalry FC
17Min-jae Kwak LW (2000-08-25)August 25, 2000 (aged 23) Syracuse Pulse
19Mikaël Cantave AM / CF (1996-10-25)October 25, 1996 (aged 27) Cavalry FC
24Lennon Thompson CM (2005-01-01)January 1, 2005 (aged 18) Unity FC
26Taryck Tahid AM / CF (2007-04-20)April 20, 2007 (aged 16) VanCity Pro FA
33Ivan Mejia CM (2001-05-09)May 9, 2001 (aged 22) TSS FC Rovers
Forwards
7Nathaniel St. Louis CF (2000-12-05)December 5, 2000 (aged 23) UAB Blazers
9Alejandro Díaz FW (1996-01-27)January 27, 1996 (aged 27) Sogndal
10Shaan Hundal CF (1999-07-14)July 14, 1999 (aged 24) Inter Miami CF II
15Mouhamadou Kane CF (2003-10-12)October 12, 2003 (aged 20) York United
18Ameer Kinani CF (2001-04-20)April 20, 2001 (aged 22) TMU Bold

Staff

Executive
President Rob Friend
Coaching staff
Head coach Afshin Ghotbi
Assistant coach Arez Ardalani
Assistant coach Niall Thompson
Goalkeeping coach Mark Village
Equipment manager Cortlin Tonn
Manager of football operations Jeevin Kang

Transfers

In

No.Pos.PlayerFrom clubFee/notesDateSource
GK Callum Irving Pacific FCFreeDecember 14, 2022[4]
MF Elliot Simmons Cavalry FCFreeDecember 21, 2022[5]
FW Mouhamadou Kane York UnitedUndisclosedDecember 22, 2022[6]
DF Kahlil John-Wentworth Simcoe County RoversFreeJanuary 12, 2023[7]
FW Nathaniel St. Louis UAB BlazersFreeJanuary 13, 2023[8]
DF Rocco Romeo Valour FCFreeJanuary 16, 2023[9]
MF Gabriel Bitar FC EdmontonFreeJanuary 18, 2023[10]
MF Marcus Simmons FC EdmontonFreeJanuary 25, 2023[11]
FW Shaan Hundal Inter Miami CF IIFreeJanuary 31, 2023[12]
DF Tyler Crawford Michigan State SpartansFreeFebruary 2, 2023[13]
GK Jeremy Zielinski Hawaii Pacific SharksFreeFebruary 23, 2023[14]
DF Eugene Martínez Cal Poly Pomona BroncosFreeFebruary 23, 2023[14]
MF Nima Moazeni Zadeh Capilano BluesFreeFebruary 23, 2023[14]
MF Maël Henry CF Montréal AcademyFreeFebruary 28, 2023[15]
MF Gael Sandoval GuadalajaraFreeMarch 1, 2023[16]
DF Kadin Chung Toronto FCFreeMarch 6, 2023[17]
FW Nicky Gyimah Slough TownFreeMarch 8, 2023[18]
FW Min-jae Kwak Syracuse PulseFreeMarch 8, 2023[18]
DF Ibrahim Bakare Cheshunt F.C.FreeMarch 10, 2023[19]
DF Anthony White Toronto Varsity BluesSelected 1st overall in the 2023 CPL–U Sports Draft, signed a Standard Player ContractMarch 22, 2023[20]
FW Ameer Kinani TMU BoldSelected 2nd overall in the 2023 CPL–U Sports Draft, signed a CPL-U SPORTS contractMarch 22, 2023[20]
FW Emmanuel Robe Romford F.C.FreeApril 14, 2023[21]
DF James Cameron Unity FCSigned to a development contract, later converted to an Exceptional Young Talent contractMay 3, 2023[22][23]
MF Lennon Thompson Unity FCSigned to a development contractMay 3, 2023[22]
FW Kourosh Jamshidi Unity FCSigned to a development contractMay 3, 2023[22]
MF Taryck Tahid VanCity Pro FAFreeMay 6, 2023[24]
MF Mikaël Cantave Cavalry FCFreeJune 29, 2023[25]
MF Renan Garcia ComercialFreeJuly 13, 2023[26]
MF Ivan Mejia TSS FC RoversFreeAugust 5, 2023[27]

Loans in

No.Pos.PlayerLoaned fromFee/notesDateSource
MF Cristian Mares Club PueblaSeason-long loanFebruary 28, 2023[28]
GK Trevor Schneider Altitude FCShort-term relief playerJuly 7, 2023
FW Alejandro Díaz SogndalOne year loanJuly 7, 2023[29]
MF Vasco Fry Whitecaps FC 2Loaned until end of seasonAugust 3, 2023[30]

Draft picks

Vancouver FC selected the following players in the 2023 CPL–U Sports Draft.[31][32] Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in.

RoundSelectionPos.PlayerNationalityUniversity
11DFAnthony White  CanadaToronto
12FWAmeer Kinani  IraqTMU

Out

Transferred out

No.Pos.PlayerTo clubFee/notesDateSource
MF Cristian Mares Club PueblaLoan terminatedApril 14, 2023[21]
19MF Maël Henry Cavalry FCJune 29, 2023[25]
13FW Emmanuel RobeContract terminated by mutual consentJune 29, 2023[25]
10MF Gael Sandoval UdeGContract terminated by mutual consentJuly 13, 2023[26]
5DF Eugene MartínezContract terminated by mutual consentAugust 3, 2023[30]
23DF Kahlil John-WentworthContract terminated by mutual consentAugust 3, 2023[30]
22MF Marcus Simmons Valletta F.C.September 5, 2023[33]

Competitions

Matches are listed in Langley local time: Pacific Daylight Time (UTC−7)

Pre-season friendlies

February 18, 2023 (2023-02-18) Friendly UBC Thunderbirds 0–2 Vancouver FC Vancouver, British Columbia
ReportStadium: Thunderbird Stadium
February 24, 2023 (2023-02-24) Friendly Vancouver FC 2–1 Unity FC Langley, British Columbia
Stadium: Langley Events Centre
March 1, 2023 (2023-03-01) Friendly Whitecaps FC 2 1–3 Vancouver FC Victoria, British Columbia
Becher 59'ReportStadium: Centennial Stadium, University of Victoria
Note: The match was played in three 45 minute halves. The score at the end of the first two halves was Whitecaps 2 1-0 Vancouver FC
March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) Friendly BB5 United 0–2 Vancouver FC Surrey, British Columbia
ReportStadium: Newton Athletic Park
March 13, 2023 (2023-03-13) Friendly Portland Timbers 2 2–2 Vancouver FC Beaverton, Oregon

Report
Note: The match was played in three 45 minute halves.
March 18, 2023 (2023-03-18) Friendly Vancouver FC 2–2 Valour FC Langley, British Columbia
Hundal
Romeo
Siaj
Polisi
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park Stadium
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren
March 25, 2023 (2023-03-25) Friendly FC Tigers Vancouver 0–1 Vancouver FC Richmond, British Columbia
7:30 PMReportSandoval 37' (pen.)Stadium: Minoru Park
Referee: Niko Jecanski
April 3, 2023 (2023-04-03) Friendly Vancouver FC 2–0 TSS FC Rovers Langley, British Columbia
12:00 PMHundal
Henry
ReportStadium: Willoughby Community Park Stadium
Referee: Seyed-Mohammad Mohseni
April 8, 2023 (2023-04-08) Friendly Altitude FC 1–1 Vancouver FC North Vancouver, British Columbia
3:00 PMChavula 84'ReportHundal 47' (pen.)Stadium: Fen Burdett Stadium
Referee: Niko Jecanski

Overview

CompetitionStarting roundFinal positionRecord
PldWDLGFGAGDWin %
Canadian Premier LeagueMatchday 1Seventh2885152850−22028.57
Canadian ChampionshipFirst roundFirst round100101−1000.00
Total2985162851−23027.59

Last updated: October 6, 2023
Source: Competitions

Canadian Premier League

Table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPlayoff qualification
1Cavalry (S)2816754627+1955First semifinal
2Forge (C)2811983932+742[a]
3HFX Wanderers2811983932+742[a]Quarterfinal
4Pacific28117104235+740Play-in round
5York United28115123544−938
6Atlético Ottawa28106123834+436
7Vancouver2885152850−2229
8Valour2868142538−1326
Source: CanPL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Total wins; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goal differential; 6) Away goals scored; 7) Home goal differential; 8) Home goals scored; 9) Total minutes played by U-21 players; 10) Coin toss (2 teams tied) or drawing of lots (3+ teams tied).[34]
(C) Champion (qualified to Champions Cup); (S) CPL Shield winner (qualified to Champions Cup)
Notes:

Results by match

Match12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
ResultLWDDLDDLLLWLLWLLLDLWLLWLWWWL
Position7334566788888888888888887777
Updated to match(es) played on October 6, 2023. Source: #Matches
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

April 15 1 Pacific FC 1–0 Vancouver FC Langford, British Columbia
4:00pm PTReport
Stadium: Starlight Stadium
Attendance: 4,825
April 22 2 York United FC 1–2 Vancouver FC Toronto, Ontario
1:00pm ETReport
Stadium: York Lions Stadium
Attendance: 822
Referee: Ben Hoskins
April 29 3 HFX Wanderers FC 1–1 Vancouver FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
3:00pm AT
ReportStadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,413
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin
May 7 4 Home opener Vancouver FC 1–1 Cavalry FC Langley Township, British Columbia
4:00pm PT
ReportStadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 6,177
Referee: Alain Ruch
Note: Vancouver FC manager Afshin Ghotbi was cautioned in the 45+4th minute.
May 13 5 Vancouver FC 0–5 Atlético Ottawa Langley Township, British Columbia
6:30pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,824
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren
May 19 6 Forge FC 0–0 Vancouver FC Hamilton, Ontario
7:00pm ET
Report
Stadium: Tim Hortons Field
Attendance: 4,378
Referee: Myriam Marcotte
May 28 7 Vancouver FC 0–0 Valour FC Langley Township, British Columbia
5:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,208
Referee: Yusri Rudolf
June 2 8 Vancouver FC 3–6 Pacific FC Langley Township, British Columbia
7:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 3,438
Referee: Renzo Villanueva
June 11 9 Cavalry FC 3–1 Vancouver FC Foothills County, Alberta
3:00pm MT
Report
Stadium: ATCO Field
Attendance: 3,762
Referee: David Barrie
June 17 10 Atlético Ottawa 1–0 Vancouver FC Ottawa, Ontario
2:00pm ET
Report
Stadium: TD Place Stadium
Attendance: 5,149
Referee: Yusri Rudolf
June 20 11 Vancouver FC 2–0 Forge FC Langley Township, British Columbia
7:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,149
Referee: Mo Mohensi
June 25 12 Valour FC 1–0 Vancouver FC Winnipeg, Manitoba
2:00pm CTReport
Stadium: IG Field
Attendance: 2,208
Referee: Myriam Marcotte
July 2 13 Vancouver FC 1–2 York United FC Langley Township, British Columbia
3:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,482
Referee: Ben Hoskins
July 7 14 Vancouver FC 2–1 HFX Wanderers FC Langley Township, British Columbia
7:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,321
Referee: Roberto D'Alesio
July 16 15 Atlético Ottawa 3–1 Vancouver FC Ottawa, Ontario
2:00pm ET
Report
Stadium: TD Place Stadium
Attendance: 4,160
Referee: Renzo Villanueva
July 22 16 Vancouver FC 1–5 Cavalry FC Langley Township, British Columbia
4:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,239
Referee: Mario Alayass
July 28 17 Forge FC 2–0 Vancouver FC Hamilton, Ontario
7:00pm ET
Report
Stadium: Tim Hortons Field
Attendance: 5,232
Referee: Roberto D'Alesio
August 6 18 Vancouver FC 0–0 Valour FC Langley Township, British Columbia
2:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,591
Referee: Renzo Villanueva
August 12 19 HFX Wanderers FC 3–0 Vancouver FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
4:00pm AT
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Ben Hoskins
August 19 20 Vancouver FC 3–2 Pacific FC Langley Township, British Columbia
1:00pm PT
ReportStadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,363
Referee: Yusri Rudolf
August 25 21 York United FC 2–1 Vancouver FC Toronto, Ontario
7:30pm ET
Report
Stadium: York Lions Stadium
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Fabrizio Stasolla
September 3 22 Vancouver FC 0–3 Forge FC Langley Township, British Columbia
2:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,378
Referee: Alain Ruch
September 9 23 Vancouver FC 2–1 Atlético Ottawa Langley Township, British Columbia
7:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,163
Referee: Sebastian Noshinravani
September 16 24 Cavalry FC 2–1 Vancouver FC Foothills County, Alberta
3:00pm MT
Report
Stadium: ATCO Field
Attendance: 4,990
Referee: Marie Soleil Beaudoin
September 20 25 Valour FC 0–1 Vancouver FC Winnipeg, Manitoba
7:00pm CTReport
Stadium: IG Field
Attendance: 3,303
Referee: Roberto D'Alesio
September 23 26 Vancouver FC 2–1 HFX Wanderers FC Langley Township, British Columbia
1:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 2,099
Referee: Mathieu Souaré
September 30 27 Pacific FC 1–2 Vancouver FC Langford, British Columbia
2:00pm PT
Report
Stadium: Starlight Stadium
Attendance: 4,404
Referee: Ben Hoskins
October 6 28 Vancouver FC 1–2 York United FC Langley Township, British Columbia
7:30pm PT
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park
Attendance: 3,622
Referee: Michael Venne

Canadian Championship

April 19 First round York United FC 1–0 Vancouver FC Toronto, Ontario
8:00pm ET
Report
Stadium: York Lions Stadium
Attendance: 1,272
Referee: Michael Venne

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of October 6, 2023
No.PosNatPlayerTotalCPLCanadian Championship
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1GK  CANCallum Irving28027010
21GK  USAJeremy Zielinski101000
31GK  CANTrevor Schneider000000
Defenders
2DF  CANKadin Chung14012+1010
3DF  CANRocco Romeo26025010
4DF  ENGIbrahim Bakare26018+7010
5DF  BLZEugene Martínez12011010
12DF  CANTyler Crawford23014+9000
20DF  CANAnthony White20017+3000
23DF  CANKahlil John-Wentworth000000
25DF  CANJames Cameron19117+2100
Midfielders
6MF  BRARenan Garcia14114100
8MF  IRNNima Moazeni Zadeh1409+4010
10MF  MEXGael Sandoval1319+3110
11MF  LBNGabriel Bitar26623+260+10
13MF  PERVasco Fry10110100
14MF  GHANicky Gyimah1202+900+10
16MF  CANElliot Simmons26024+1010
17MF  KORMin-jae Kwak27113+13110
19MF  CANMaël Henry301+2000
19MF  HAIMikaël Cantave16413+3400
22MF  CANMarcus Simmons502+3000
24MF  CANLennon Thompson300+3000
26MF  CANTaryck Tahid2036+14300
33MF  COLIvan Mejia100+1000
Forwards
7FW  CANNathaniel St. Louis501+300+10
9FW  MEXAlejandro Díaz14214200
10FW  CANShaan Hundal29620+8610
13FW  FRAEmmanuel Robe501+300+10
15FW  CANMouhamadou Kane802+6000
18FW  IRQAmeer Kinani2112+18110
FW  CANKourosh Jamshidi000000

Source: Competitions

Goalscorers

As of October 6, 2023
RankNo.PosNatNameCPLCanadian ChampionshipTotal
110FW Shaan Hundal606
11MF Gabriel Bitar606
319MF Mikaël Cantave404
426FW Taryck Tahid303
59FW Alejandro Díaz202
66MF Renan Garcia101
10MF Gael Sandoval101
13MF Vasco Fry101
17MF Min-jae Kwak101
18FW Ameer Kinani101
25DF James Cameron101
Own Goals101
Totals28028

Clean sheets

As of October 6, 2023
RankNo.PosNatNameCPLCanadian ChampionshipTotal
11GK Callum Irving505
Totals505

Disciplinary record

As of October 6, 2023
No.Pos Nat PlayerCPLCanadian ChampionshipTotal
     
1GK Callum Irving100000100
2DF Kadin Chung200000200
3DF Rocco Romeo601000601
4DF Ibrahim Bakare500100600
5DF Eugene Martínez201000201
6MF Renan Garcia200000200
7FW Nathaniel St. Louis000000000
8MF Nima Moazeni Zadeh400000400
9FW Alejandro Díaz000000000
10FW Shaan Hundal100000100
10MF Gael Sandoval100000100
11MF Gabriel Bitar400000400
12DF Tyler Crawford000000000
13MF Vasco Fry600000600
13FW Emmanuel Robe100000100
14MF Nicky Gyimah400000400
15FW Mouhamadou Kane000000000
16MF Elliot Simmons300100400
17MF Min-jae Kwak500000500
18FW Ameer Kinani201000201
19MF Maël Henry000000000
19MF Mikaël Cantave300000300
20DF Anthony White100000100
22MF Marcus Simmons100000100
23DF Kahlil John-Wentworth000000000
24MF Lennon Thompson100000100
25DF James Cameron300000300
26MF Taryck Tahid100000100
31GK Jeremy Zielinski000000000
33MF Ivan Mejia000000000
FW Kourosh Jamshidi000000000
Totals59032006103

Honours

Canadian Premier League Awards

The Canadian Premier League Awards took place on October 26 in Hamilton.[35]

NameAwardStatusSource
James CameronBest Canadian U-21 PlayerNominated[36][35]

Monthly Awards

MonthNameAwardSource
MayCallum IrvingGoalkeeper of the Month[37]

Team of the Week

The Gatorade Team of the Week was selected by the CPL's Kristian Jack and OneSoccer's Oliver Platt.

WeekNameSource
1Callum Irving[38]
2Callum Irving (2)
Rocco Romeo
Gabriel Bitar
Shaan Hundal
[39]
3Kadin Chung[40]
4Ibrahim Bakare[41]
6Tyler Crawford
Min-jae Kwak
[42]
7Eugene Martínez[43]
8T.J. Tahid[44]
11Callum Irving (3)
Anthony White
[45]
13Rocco Romeo (2)[46]
17James Cameron[47]
19Gabriel Bitar (2)[48]
20Gabriel Bitar (3)[49]
22James Cameron (2)
Gabriel Bitar (4)
Mikaël Cantave
[50]

References