It’s going to be a busy season for the Vancouver Whitecaps as they navigate MLS, the Canadian Championship, and Leagues Cup tournament this summer.

The Caps will have a hectic schedule on multiple fronts and that doesn’t include international call-ups during FIFA windows and potentially losing players during the Paris Olympics. 

MLS teams with the most depth are often the ones that persevere forward. 

Vancouver added to their squad with the acquisition of midfielder Ralph Priso on March 11, acquiring the Canadian from the Colorado Rapids. 

“He’s a player that’s versatile,” Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director, Axel Schuster told reporters in Vancouver on Thursday. “A player that has different strengths in his profile and a player that is somebody who we think still hasn’t reached his ceiling and is still growing and who also knows that it will take a moment to get into our system and understand. A player that hopefully is one step further down the road.”

While the move to Vancouver may have been a surprise for Caps fans, Priso knew something was in the cards. The trade had been in the works for over a week. 

“It’ll be exciting and nice to be a part of a team that’s doing well for a change,” Priso told Canadian Soccer Daily following training in Vancouver. “I think there are very good players here. Training with better players will help me become a better player. It’s a team that has good players in my position. I’ll be able to train with them and watch certain things to help me get better. Coming to this team was a good start for me. I’m excited to learn and improve.”

The 21 year-old Priso spent the last year and a half with the Rapids. Priso made 26 MLS appearances totalling 1,028 minutes of action last season and picked up two assists. 

2023 was Priso’s only full season with the Rapids after joining from Toronto FC in July of 2022 in the trade that brought Mark-Anthony Kaye back home to Toronto. Priso made 25 MLS regular season appearances for TFC from 2020 to 2022.

When a player is on his third team in as many seasons, questions are sure to be raised. 

Priso’s time with Colorado was underwhelming. A move to the west coast could be exactly what he needs to settle into a grove and find a home with the Whitecaps. 

Why didn’t things workout with Colorado?

“Lots of different reasons,” Priso said. “Things I could have done better. I think for me it just wasn’t the right fit. Different reasons, different things happened. I don’t want to get into it too much. Certain things go certain ways. I missed some time with injuries. Some unfortunate events, things that added up for it not to work out.”

Now that he’s back in Canada, Priso can’t wait to get stuck in. As someone who describes himself as a well rounded midfielder, Priso is looking to do a bit of everything on the pitch. 

“I would say I’m a midfielder who likes to drive with the ball,” Priso said. “Definitely good at recovering balls, duels, tackles. A little combination sometimes. I try to play line breaking passes, try to do a little bit of everything.”

Priso travelled with Vancouver to Frisco, Texas over the weekend, but did not feature in the Caps 3-1 win over FC Dallas. Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini will be looking to ease Priso into his new surroundings as he works his way back to full 90 minute match fitness. 

“I’m healthy,” Priso said. “My fitness is probably not 90 minutes yet. I missed a little bit of preseason. I had an issue with my hamstring. I’m just building up and getting there.”

Off the pitch Priso is an avid gamer. He enjoys playing Call of Duty, Football Manager, FIFA, and NBA2K. In terms of physical hobbies, Priso is considering taking up golf. 

“I know a lot of guys are into golf here,” Priso said. “I might have to start picking that up, but I haven’t done any of that so far.”

The Whitecaps return home to BC Place on Saturday March 23 vs. Real Salt Lake.

Vancouver will be without Fafà Picault and Andrés Cubas while they are away on international duty with Argentina and Haiti respectively.