Vancouver Whitecaps

Vanni Sartini performed heroics in 2021 when he came in as Vancouver Whitecaps interim-manager and took them from the bottom of the Western Conference into the play-offs in just 14 matches. The Italian's first full season as head coach in 2022 proved more challenging. Injuries plagued the Caps early on and they made their worst ever start to an MLS campaign. Sartini was able to rouse them into another late push for the play-offs but it wasn't to be this time. Despite that, Sartini was able to write himself into the club's history books by winning their second ever Canadian Championship and first since 2015. Securing a trophy helped the likeable coach paper over some of the cracks of what was an otherwise disappointing season, where his tactics were often called into question. Sartini was initially known for never naming an unchanged starting line-up and experimenting with different formations but went for a safer approach as the season went on. The club have lost some notable players in the transfer market. Lucas Cavallini has gone to Mexico after finishing last season as top scorer, whilst experienced defender Jake Nerwinski joins new MLS expansion team St. Louis. The incomings include Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka who is almost certainly going to go straight into the starting line-up. He was named in the J-League Best Eleven last season. Sergio Córdova has signed as a Designated Player from Augsburg, having spent last season on loan at Real Salt Lake where he was their top scorer. The Venezuelan looks like an ideal replacement for Cavallini.