Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries: Find out what each player takes home

Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries: Find out what each player takes home

Ciku Njuguna
June 6, 2024 at 7:41 PM
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The Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is a tier-one club in the United States Major Soccer League. The three-time Canadian Champions have existed since December 1973. Sports Brief covers Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries, detailing the top earners at the club.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries
Vancouver Whitecaps players pose for a picture before a match against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on May 22, 2022. Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos.
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

How much do Vancouver Whitecaps players make? This article analyzes Vancouver Whitecaps FC salaries using data from authoritative sources such as the MLS 2024 Salary Guide.

How much are Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries?

The MLS 2024 Salary Guide outlines each MLS player's base salary, signing and guaranteed bonuses under active contract. The Blue-and-White's active roster consists of twenty-seven football players. Here is a summary of known Vancouver Whitecaps players' salaries in the 2023/24 season.

Number

Name

Position

Salary

25

Ryan Gauld

Midfielder

$2,880,000

20

Andrés Cubas

Midfielder

$1,050,000

8

Alessandro Schöpf

Midfielder

$900,000

3

Samuel Adekugbe

Defender

$825,000

2

Mathías Laborda

Defender

$800,000

24

Brian White

Forward

$754,500

6

Tristan Blackmon

Defender

$750,000

19

Caio Alexandre

Midfielder

$680,000

1

Yohei Takaoka

Goalkeeper

$672,000

11

Fafà Picault

Forward

$650,000

45

Pedro Vite

Midfielder

$621,000

15

Ranko Veselinovic

Defender

$620,000

4

Bjørn Inge Utvik

Defender

$450,000

19

Damir Kreilach

Forward

$440,000

20

Déiber Caicedo

Forward

$350,000

16

Sebastian Berhalter

Midfielder

$330,000

14

Luís Martins

Defender

$300,000

23

Javain Brown

Defender

$205,000

7

Ryan Raposo

Defender

$150,000

13

Ralph Priso

Midfielder

$125,000

12

Belal Halbouni

Defender

$110,000

17

Joe Bendik

Goalkeeper

$108,000

22

Ali Ahmed

Midfielder

$100,000

32

Isaac Boehmer

Goalkeeper

$89,716

26

J.C Ngando

Midfielder

$89,716

28

Levonte Johnson

Forward

$89,716

50

Max Anchor

Goalkeeper

$71,401

Who are the highest-paid Whitecap players?

According to Salary Sport, the Blues and Whites's total wage bill for the 2022/23 season was $11,168,053 and $14,211,049 in the 2023/24 season. On average, Vancouver Whitecaps' players receive an annual salary of $526,335. Here is a list of the top 10 best-paid footballers in the team.

10. Pedro Vite - $621,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Pedro Vite celebrates a goal.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Pedro Vite celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy at BC Place on September 14, 2022. Photo by Christopher Morris/Corbis.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Pedro Jeampierre Vite Uca
  • Date of birth: March 9, 2002
  • Age: 22 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Babahoyo, Ecuador
  • Titles: 2019/20 Under-20 Copa Libertadores, 2018/19 Ecuadorian Champion, Canadian Cup (2)

At the time of writing, Vite has hit its highest market value ($3.26 million). The attacking midfielder has played in 75% of all Whitecap matches in the 2023/24 season. In the first season of his five-year MLS U22 Initiative contract, he received a base salary of $609,997, which increased in the third and fourth years.

9. Fafà Picault - $650,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Fafà Picault in action
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Fafà Picault in action during an MLS match against Inter Miami CF at BC Place on May 25, 2024. Photo by Jeff Vinnick.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Fabrice Jean-Ian Picault
  • Date of birth: February 23, 1991
  • Age: 33 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: New York City, United States
  • Titles: 2012/13 NASL Soccer Bowl Champion

At the time of writing, the left winger had started in 50% of all 2023/24 match appearances for the team, during which he scored three goals and provided three assists. The MLSPA guide shows that Picault receives an annual base salary of $650,000 and a guaranteed compensation of $670,000 based on his one-year contract with the team.

8. Yohei Takaoka - $672,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Yohei Takaoka kicks the ball.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Yohei Takaoka kicks the ball upfield against Sporting Kansas City on May 29, 2024, at Children's Mercy Park. Photo by Peter G. Aiken.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Yohei Takaoka
  • Date of birth: March 16, 1996
  • Age: 28 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
  • Titles: 2022 J. League Best XI, 2022 Japanese Champion, 2022/23 Canadian Cup

Annually, the Japanese football star is guaranteed to receive an average compensation of $789,713 in 2023/24. According to Spotrac, the number one keeper received $297,233 during his rookie year at Whitecaps. His career earnings at the time of writing were $1,086,946.

7. Tristan Blackmon - $750,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Tristan Blackmon in action
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Tristan Blackmon in action against the Tigres UANL during the CONCACAF Champions League at Starlight Stadium on February 7, 2024. Photo by Kevin Light.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tristan Michael Blackmon
  • Date of birth: August 12, 1996
  • Age: 27 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
  • Titles: Canadian Cup (2), 2018/19 Supporters' Shield

Las Vegas native Tristan Blackmon is a versatile defensive player who plays centre-back, fullback, or wingback at the club. His initial contract at the club in 2021 guaranteed him an annual base salary of $401,208, which increased to $451,208 following his contract extension in 2023. At the time of writing, the defender, who has played in 180 matches for Vancouver, made a base salary of $750,000 with a similar cap hit.

6. Brian White - $754,500

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Brian White celebrates a goal.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Brian White celebrates after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo FC at BC Place on May 31, 2023. Photo by Jordan Jones.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Brian White
  • Date of birth: February 3, 1996
  • Age: 28 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Flemington, New Jersey, United States
  • Titles: Canadian Cup (2), 2017/18 Supporters' Shield

United States international Brian White has played for the Vancouver Whitecaps since 2021, following a $394,430 transfer from the New York Red Bulls. In his first three seasons, he received $216,000, $456,000 and $511,000 as base salaries.

5. Mathías Laborda - $800,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Mathías Laborda in action.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Mathías Laborda advances the ball during a game against New York Red Bulls at the Red Bull Arena on April 27, 2024. Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mathías Nicolás Laborda Malseñido
  • Date of birth: September 15, 1999
  • Age: 24 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Fray Bentos, Uruguay
  • Titles: 2022/23 Canadian Cup, Uruguayan Champion (3), 2020/21 Supercopa Uruguaya, 2017/18 Under-20 Copa Libertadores

Three-time Uruguayan champion Mathías Laborda has played in the MLS for one season since exiting Club Nacional. The defender signed on a transfer for three years in which he was guaranteed a $800,000 base salary with a cap hit of $943,625.

4. Samuel Adekugbe - $825,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Sam Adekugbe in action.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Sam Adekugbe advances the ball during a game against New York Red Bulls at the Red Bull Arena on April 27, 2024. Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Samuel Ayomide Adekugbe
  • Date of birth: January 16, 1995
  • Age: 29 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: London, England
  • Titles: 2022/23 Turkish Champion, 2014/15 Canadian Cup

A 2023 report by Statista listed Sam Adekugbe among the highest-paid footballers at Vancouver Whitecaps. The defender first signed with Vancouver in 2013. Since then, he went on short loan stints to Brighton & Hove Albion, IFK Göteborg, and Vålerenga Fotball before returning to the Blues and Whites on a four-year contract in 2023.

Sources reveal that the defender's contract guarantees him a $825,000 base salary with a $913,000 cap hit as of June 2024.

3. Alessandro Schöpf - $900,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Alessandro Schöpf in action.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Alessandro Schöpf runs with the ball at the Children's Mercy Park on May 29, 2024, in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Alessandro André Schöpf
  • Date of birth: February 7, 1994
  • Age: 30 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Umhausen, Austria
  • Titles: 2022/23 Canadian Cup, 2013/14 German Regionalliga Bavaria Champion, 2013/14 German Champion, 2011/12 German Under-19 Bundesliga South/South-west Champion

Austrian football player Alessandro Schöpf arrived at the MLS club on a free transfer on August 3, 2022. The midfielder, valued at $1.29 million, reportedly earns $100,000 shy of $1 million annually with a cap hit of $992,500.

2. Andrés Cubas - $1,050,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Andrés Cubas (front) in action.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Andrés Cubas (front) in action against the Seattle Sounders FC at BC Place on May 20, 2023, in Vancouver, Canada. Photo by Jordan Jones.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Adrián Andrés Cubas
  • Date of birth: May 22, 1996
  • Age: 28 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Aristóbulo del Valle, Argentina
  • Titles: Canadian Cup (2), Argentinian Champion (2), 2014/15 Argentinian Cup

One of the highest-paid players in the MLS is Paraguayan defensive midfielder Andrés Cubas. In the 2023/24 season, the designated player's annual base salary is $1,050,000, with a cap hit of $1,146,375. In 2022 and 2023, he reportedly received $900,000 from the team.

1. Ryan Gauld - $2,880,000

Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Ryan Gauld in action.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Ryan Gauld dribbles the ball upfield against Sporting Kansas City on May 29, 2024, at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo by Peter G. Aiken.
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ryan Gauld
  • Date of birth: December 16, 1995
  • Age: 28 (as of June 2024)
  • Place of birth: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Titles: 2017/18 Portuguese Cup, Canadian Cup (2)

Team captain Ryan Gauld is one of the designated players for the Whitecaps. The Dundee United FC product brought ten years of experience to the Herons.

On arrival in July 2023, Gauld became one of the top performers, winning the 2021 MLS Newcomer of the Year with six goals and six assists. The stats leader in goals and assists got a three-year contract extension on January 25, 2024.

Frequently asked questions

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries comprise much of the MLS payroll. Here are some interesting facts about the team and its payroll.

1. Who owns Whitecaps FC?

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC was founded in December 1973. In November 2002, a local businessman, Greg Kerfoot, took ownership of the team. Other owners include Jeff Mallett and Steve Luczo.

2. How much is Whitecaps FC worth?

According to Sportico, the average MLS club is worth $678 million. Forbes reports that the club's value was $410 million as of February 2023.

Final word

Vancouver Whitecaps FC players' salaries shed light on the team's dedication to performance and player compensation. It is one of the most popular clubs in the MLS.

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Authors
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Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.