Whitecaps Sign Centre Back Mathias Laborda

Photo Credit Vancouver Whitecaps

Soccer in the lower mainland continues to grow all due to our local pro MLSVancouver Whitecaps FC who focus on soccer fans while attracting today’s youth to the games.

Some are still mesmerized at the possibility of having a newer stadium other than BC Place which for many of today’s families is far too expensive to attend.

Regardless of the price and the drive from the “burbs” the entertainment value is worth the trip and the bonus for growing the game is having local youth teams attending.

While changes have occurred over the past couple of seasons they are focused on putting a winning championship team on the turf for “the Village of Vancouver” as once reported on National TV.

We are hearing that they have signed twenty-three year old centre back Mathías Laborda via the use of Targeted Allocation Money.

He signed a contract taking him through to 2025 with the club having an option through to 2026, that has him occupy an international roster spot, which is pending his international transfer certificate.

Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director mentioned “Mathías is a player we’ve been scouting for over a year and he’s a young, intelligent, and tenacious defender. Mathías is comfortable on the ball and brings a mix of experience as well as a potential for growth. We’re happy to welcome Mathías to Vancouver.”

From the Whitecaps:

He has started 82 of his 101 appearances across all competitions for Uruguayan Primera División side Club Nacional de Football, helping the side win three Primera División titles in 2019, 2020 and 2022 as well as the 2021 Uruguayan Supercopa. 

In addition he managed six goals and one assist during his time with the team, originally coming via the Nacional’s youth academy that saw him join the club at the young age of 16. 

In 2018 he helped the club’s U-20 win the U-20 Copa Libertadores, that saw him sign his first pro contract in 2019.

Whitecaps FC centre back Mathías Laborda

• Three-time Uruguayan Primera División champion with Nacional in 2019, 2020, and 2022, as well as the Uruguayan Supercopa in 2021
• 101 appearances across all competitions for Nacional
• Came through Nacional’s youth system & won the U-20 Copa Libertadores in 2018
• Represented Uruguay at the U-17, U-20 & U-23 levels