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Whitecaps FC Academy (sponsor name Whitecaps FC BMO Academy) is the youth system of the professional soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It fields a men's and women's team in the semi-professional League1 British Columbia.
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| Founded | 2007 |
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| Stadium |
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| Head coach |
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| League | League1 British Columbia (L1BC) |
| 2024 |
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The men's academy is officially named the Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS Academy. It is a full-time, fully funded, player development program.[1] Originally known as the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency programs, they changed their name in 2018 to the Whitecaps FC Academy.[2] They have affiliations with youth soccer clubs across Canada, forming part of the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy.[3]
Seasons
| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Top scorer | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | League1 British Columbia | 7 | 4–4–4 | 3rd | did not qualify | Gurman Sangha (6) | [4] |
| 2023 | 8 | 5–7–2 | 3rd | Champions | Michael Hennessy (7) | [4] | |
| 2024 | 7 | 5–4–3 | 3rd | Semi-finals | 3 players (4) | [4] |
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The women's academy is officially named the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. In 2015, the Canadian Soccer Association partnered with the BC Soccer Association and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC to launch its regional EXCEL program which will be run as part of the Whitecaps FC Academy.[5]
In 2021, it was announced that the program would join the semi-professional League1 British Columbia as a founding franchise for the 2022 season.[6][7] Their home games will take place at Ken Woods Field at the National Soccer Development Centre.[8] They played their debut match on May 22, defeating the Victoria Highlanders 5-1.[9]
During the 2022 regular season, the Whitecaps managed to finish second in the regular season standings and qualified for the Championship final, despite many of their university age players having to depart the team before the end of the season, leaving them with a roster composed of 14-17 year old players.[10][11] In the Championship Final, the Whitecaps Girls defeated Varsity FC to win the inaugural women's League1 British Columbia title.[12] In May 2023, the team participated in the 2023 Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup, winning the title.[13] In the 2023 L1BC season, they won the league double, capturing the regular season title and the playoff championship, advancing to the Women's Inter-Provincial Championship,[14] which they also won to become the overall League1 Canada champions.[15] In 2024, they once again won the League1 BC title to advance to the Inter-Provincial Championship again,[16] winning the overall League1 Canada title for the second consecutive year.[17]
Seasons
| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | National / continental | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | League1 British Columbia | 7 | 8–1–3 | 2nd | Champions | withdrew | [18] | |
| 2023 | 8 | 11–1–2 | 1st | Champions | Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup | Champions | [18] | |
| Inter-Provincial Championship | Champions | |||||||
| 2024 | 7 | 10–2–0 | 1st | Champions | Inter-Provincial Championship | Champions | ||
| CONCACAF W Champions Cup | Group stage | |||||||
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- As of March 15, 2023[19]
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