Ralph Priso

Ralph-William Johnson Priso-Mbongue (born August 2, 2002) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Ralph Priso
Personal information
Full nameRalph-William Johnson Priso-Mbongue
Date of birth (2002-08-02) August 2, 2002 (age 21)
Place of birthToronto, Ontario, Canada
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Number13
Youth career
2006–2013Clairlea-Westview SC
2014–2016North Toronto Nitros
2017–2019Toronto FC
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018Toronto FC III6(1)
2019Toronto FC II5(0)
2020–2022Toronto FC25(2)
2021–2022Toronto FC II (loan)4(0)
2022–2024Colorado Rapids32(0)
2022–2023Colorado Rapids 2 (loan)4(0)
2024–Vancouver Whitecaps FC6(0)
2024–Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)2(0)
International career
2017Canada U154(0)
2019Canada U176(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 6, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of December 15, 2019

Early career

He began playing soccer at the age of four with Clairlea-Westview SC,[1] before moving to the North Toronto Nitros when he was eleven.[2] In 2016, he was invited to Adidas's Elite Soccer Program.[3] He tried out for the Toronto FC Academy at ages 11, 12, and 13, failing to make the program,[4] before finally being accepted in 2017, at age 14.[5]

Club career

Early career

In 2018, he played with Toronto FC III in the semi-professional League1 Ontario, making six appearances. He scored his first goal against Darby FC on July 17, 2018.[6] On March 5, 2019, he signed his first professional contract, joining Toronto FC II in USL League One.[7] His debut professional appearance came when he started against the Richmond Kickers on August 17, 2019.[8]

Toronto FC

On October 14, 2020, he signed with first team Toronto FC, becoming the 25th player to sign as a Homegrown Player from the TFC Academy.[9] He made his debut on October 24, coming on as a substitute for Nick DeLeon against the Philadelphia Union.[10] He was loaned to the second team for some matches in 2021.[11] On July 21, 2021, he scored his first goal for Toronto FC in a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls.[12] On August 19, Toronto FC announced Priso would undergo season-ending ankle surgery after suffering an injury on August 14 against the New England Revolution.[13]

Colorado Rapids

In July 2022, Priso was traded from Toronto FC to fellow MLS club Colorado Rapids for Mark-Anthony Kaye. Colorado would also receive $1.025 million in General Allocation Money, and an international roster slot in the trade.[14][15] He made his debut on July 17, against the LA Galaxy.[16]

Vancouver Whitecaps

In March 2024, Priso was traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for 1st and 3rd round MLS SuperDraft picks and up to $150,000 in General Allocation Money.[17][18] He made his debut for the club on April 6 against his former club, Toronto FC.[19]

International career

In 2016, at age 13, he made his debut in the Canadian youth program at an identification camp with coach Ante Jazic.[1] He represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship, serving as team captain.[3] He played for the Canadian U17 team at the 2019 CONCACAF U-17 Championship[20] and the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[21] He was called to the Canada national team camp for January 2021.[22]

Personal life

Priso is of Cameroonian descent through his parents.[23][24] He is the older brother of fellow professional soccer player Hugo Mbongue.[25]

Career statistics

As of match played July 6, 2024[26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Toronto FC III2018[27]League1 Ontario612081
Toronto FC II2019USL League One5050
Toronto FC2020MLS40100050
20211110040151
2022101003[a]0131
Total25210300040332
Toronto FC II (loan)2021USL League One3030
2022MLS Next Pro1010
Total400000000040
Colorado Rapids2022MLS6060
20232602020300
2024000000
Total32000202000360
Colorado Rapids 2 (loan)2022MLS Next Pro3030
20231010
Total400000000040
Vancouver Whitecaps FC2024MLS600020000080
Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)2024MLS Next Pro200000000020
Career total843107040401003

Honours

Toronto FC

References