Vancouver Whitecaps Dominate 2025 MLS All-Star Selections
For the first time ever, the Vancouver Whitecaps have landed four players on the MLS All-Star Game roster. The list includes Yohei Takaoka between the posts, rock-solid defender Tristan Blackmon, midfield engine Sebastian Berhalter, and prolific striker Brian White. This quartet headlines a new chapter for Vancouver, as it’s the largest group any single team has ever had in an All-Star lineup since the club’s MLS debut fourteen years ago.
This All-Star nod isn’t just a numbers game. The Whitecaps’ performance this season has been nothing short of impressive. Sitting atop the Western Conference, they’ve managed to turn heads with both their offense and defense—quite a reversal for a club whose previous All-Star mention was just one player back in 2016. Only Ryan Gauld made the cut for 2024, but this time, Vancouver’s depth and consistency are front and center.
Fan Votes and Coaching Choices Reflect Team’s Strength
Three of these four standouts—Takaoka, Berhalter, and White—earned their spots through the MLS All-Star Fan Vote. It’s a clear sign that supporters across North America are taking notice of the Whitecaps’ resurgence. Tristan Blackmon, meanwhile, was chosen directly by the coaching staff, highlighting his leadership and on-field control. That’s not all—Berhalter and White are currently with the U.S. Men’s National Team, joining the national Gold Cup camp, a nod to their growing influence in American soccer. Blackmon has already seen national team action himself, giving the Whitecaps an international dimension that’s rare in club history.
The fan-driven selections bring a bit of extra energy to the conversation. For the Whitecaps, it means their players aren’t just getting recognition from analysts and coaches, but from everyday fans who help decide the storylines of the league. Club fans have long felt that past performances went unnoticed, so this outcome feels like validation—especially when compared to expansion clubs like San Diego FC, which managed three All-Star players this time around.
Looking back, Vancouver’s All-Star record was pretty slim: until now, only seven players had ever been chosen for this showcase. Across the league, the Whitecaps' standout season and these roster spots send a clear message—the team isn’t just a surprise package, but a real contender. They’ll carry the hopes of BC and Canadian soccer fans to Austin’s Q2 Stadium on July 23, where they’ll face the Liga MX All-Stars with something to prove. For players like Takaoka and White, it’s a chance to cement themselves as faces of the league. For Berhalter and Blackmon, their All-Star status could be a springboard to even bigger stages.
This moment feels significant—not because it’s another All-Star Game, but because four players from Vancouver are changing the league’s landscape. You get the sense supporters in the Pacific Northwest might be looking at MLS powerhouses with a glint of satisfaction, wondering how far this Vancouver Whitecaps team can go.
