Christopher Lee (soccer)

Christopher Lee (born August 14, 2001) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a defender.

Christopher Lee
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Lee
Date of birth (2001-08-14) August 14, 2001 (age 22)
Place of birthNorth Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)Defender
Youth career
West Vancouver SC
Mountain United SC
2015–2020Vancouver Whitecaps FC
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2021–UBC Thunderbirds34(3)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2021Pacific FC3(0)
2022Whitecaps FC 211(0)
2022Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan)0(0)
2023Nautsa’mawt FC11(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 15, 2023

Early life

Lee was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia before moving to West Vancouver, British Columbia when he was three, where he began playing youth soccer for West Vancouver SC when he was seven.[1] He later joined Mountain United SC and then joined the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy in August 2015.[2]

College career

In 2020, Lee decided to attend the University of British Columbia and join their men's soccer team,[3] although his debut season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he won the Canada West title with UBC,[4] was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team,[5] and was an Academic All-Canadian.[6] In 2023, he won the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award.[7]

Club career

In the 2021 CPL-U Sports Draft, he was selected fifth overall by Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League.[8] In June 2021, he signed a developmental contract with Pacific for the 2021 season, allowing him to retain his university eligibility.[9][10] He made his debut on June 26 against the HFX Wanderers.[11] In August 2020, Pacific coach Pa-Modou Kah confirmed that Lee was returning to the University of British Columbia in the fall, and that the team was interested in having him return to the club for the 2022 season.[12]

In March 2022, he signed for Whitecaps FC 2, ahead of the revived club's inaugural season in MLS Next Pro.[13] In July 2022, he joined the first team on two short-term loans for their matches against Minnesota United FC and FC Cincinnati.[14][15] After the season, Whitecaps 2 declined his club option for 2023.[16]

In 2023, he joined Nautsa’mawt FC in League1 British Columbia.[4]

International career

In 2016, he attended a camp for the Canada U15 national team.[1]

Career statistics

As of July 15, 2023[17]
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pacific FC2021Canadian Premier League30000030
Whitecaps FC 22022MLS Next Pro110110
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan)2022Major League Soccer000000
Nautsa’mawt FC2023[18]League1 British Columbia110110
Career total250000000250

References