Whitecaps Roster Updates and MLS Business Awards

by Rebecca Bollwitt Monday, December 8th, 2025 — 3:33pm PST

On Saturday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC fought valiantly in the MLS Cup Final against Miami and unfortunately ended their historic season in second place. In 2025, the ‘Caps had club records in MLS for points and wins, the best goal difference in the league, and runs to the final of every cup the club played in! Now the team is moving on to a well-deserved break before returning in January for 2026 preseason.

Whitecaps Concacaf - Team - Scott Graham for Miss604 — Whitecaps Concacaf – Team – Scott Graham for Miss604

But first, they have a bit of business to attend to:

Whitecaps Win MLS Business Awards

Today Major League Soccer announced the winners of its year-end awards recognizing clubs and executives for outstanding contributions throughout the 2025 season. Vancouver Whitecaps FC is the sole club with three award winners, with Atlanta United and St. Louis CITY SC each capturing two awards.

2025 Mark Abbott MLS Club Business Awards:

Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year – Shari Ballard, Minnesota United
Sporting Executive of the Year – Axel Schuster, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Business Intelligence Project of the Year – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Communications Department of the Year – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Consumer Products Initiative of the Year – San Diego FC
Digital Activation of the Year – Atlanta United
Engagement and Inclusion Club of the Year – St. Louis CITY SC
Marisa Colaiano Community Impact Club of the Year – LA Galaxy
Marketing Initiative of the Year – Columbus Crew
Sponsorship Activation of the Year – LAFC
Stadium Business Initiative of the Year – Chicago Fire FC
Ticket Sales Initiative of the Year – Atlanta United
Youth Fan Engagement Initiative of the Year – St. Louis CITY SC

Axel Schuster, Vancouver Whitecaps FC CEO and Sporting Director, has been named Sporting Executive of the Year. Under his direction, the club won the Western Conference and reached 2025 MLS Cup for the first time in its history. This followed a strong regular season, with club records for points and wins, the best goal difference in MLS, as well as reaching the final of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, and winning the Canadian Championship title for the fourth year in a row.

Schuster has been instrumental in the club’s success by overseeing the acquisition, retention and development of its players. Notably in 2025, Schuster was pivotal in signing German legend and World Cup winner, Thomas Müller. The signing of Müller has already helped propel the club to new heights, but this strategic transfer came alongside Schuster’s appointment of Jesper Sørensen as head coach. Together with the strong core of players he has assembled and retained, these moves have been equally vital to the club’s rise.

Whitecaps Roster Updates

The club has exercised the 2026 Major League Soccer contract options on goalkeeper Adrían Zendejas, defender Mathías Laborda, central midfielders Sebastian Berhalter, J.C. Ngando, Ralph Priso, and winger Ali Ahmed. The ’Caps currently have 26 players on their MLS roster for next year.

Whitecaps FC have exercised their 2026 contract option on superstar attacker Thomas Müller. The German and Bayern Munich legend will become a Designated Player next season. Upon joining Vancouver in August, he was classified as a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) signing.

Muller Whitecaps - Miss604 Bollwitt Photo Credit-5 — Jesper Sørensen (left), Thomas Müller, and Axel Schuster (right)

The club also confirmed it will not exercise defender Belal Halbouni’s 2026 contract option; however, ongoing discussions continue. The club is also continuing discussions with goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, who is out of contract at the end of the year.

Furthermore, the club declined the contract option on goalkeeper Max Anchor, defender Mark O’Neill, and forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, and declined the purchase option on forward Daniel Ríos.