The Vancouver Whitecaps signed star attacker Ryan Gauld long-term and now has done the same with one of their key defenders.
Tristan Blackmon has signed a contract extension through 2027, the Whitecaps announced Monday. Blackmon, 27, is entering his third season with the Whitecaps after a stellar 2023 campaign.
He scored two league goals in 32 combined appearances, logging over 2,700 minutes in MLS play. A former No. 3 overall pick by LAFC in 2018, Blackmon has made over 120 league appearances between his spells with LAFC and Vancouver.
“When we acquired Tristan two seasons ago, we knew the quality and type of player he was on the pitch,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release. “Since then, we have grown to learn the special person he is off the pitch. We are very pleased to know that Tristan will continue to be a member of our club for years to come.”
The Whitecaps are preparing for involvement in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Here is a closer look at all of the recent MLS News:
Austin FC signs Damian Las to MLS deal, loans him to Louisville City FC
Damian Las will be heading to the USL Championship for the next chapter of his club career.
Austin FC has signed Las to a three-year guaranteed contract through the end of the 2026 MLS season, the club announced. Las was then loaned to USL Championship side Louisville City FC for the 2024 season.
“Damian is an impressive young goalkeeper who showed significant progression in his development with Austin FC II last season,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell. “The best thing for his continued growth is to gain another year of experience competing at a high level, and we believe he will get that with Louisville, who are consistently one of the top teams in the USL Championship.”
The 21-year-old initially joined Austin FC in January 2022 and proceeded to make 31 appearances last season for Austin FC II in MLS NEXT Pro. Las earned MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year honors as he recorded 15 clean sheets and helped Austin FC II lift the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
A former U.S. youth national team goalkeeper, Las will join a Louisville City FC squad that will be in the race for a league title of their own.
Rapids loan Miguel Navarro to Argentinian side Talleres
Miguel Navarro will not be part of the Colorado Rapids’ plans heading into the 2024 MLS season.
Navarro has been loaned to Argentinian side Club Atlético Talleres on a one-year loan with an option to buy. The 24-year-old originally joined Colorado last December, but will not play a part in Chris Armas’ squad.
“Miguel is a talented, starting-caliber player in MLS. We hope this loan will allow him to maintain his place in the Venezuelan National Team, given increased competition at the position in our squad. This loan will allow him to continue to build his profile in both North and South America by exposing him to the Copa Libertadores competition as well as being involved in one of the most progressive clubs in Argentina,” said Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor.
Navarro spent the prior four seasons with the Chicago Fire, making 104 appearances across all competitions and registering 11 assists. Prior to joining the Fire in 2020, the Venezuela, native spent the entirety of his career in the Primera División with Deportivo La Guaira and Deportivo JBL del Zulia.
CF Montreal adds Bulgarian midfielder Dominik Yankov
CF Montréal added youth to their midfield in the form of Bulgarian international Dominik Yankov.
Yankov, 23, has joined the Canadian club on a permanent transfer from Bulgarian first division club Ludogoretz Razgrad. CF Montreal signed Yankov to a three-year contract, which also includes two option years for 2027 and 2028.
After originally joining the Sunderland academy, Yankov joined Ludogoretz Razgrad in 2016. He totaled 15 goals and 14 assists in 128 appearances for the Bulgarian heavyweights, winning four-consecutive Bulgarian championships and lifting two cups.
He has earned 17 caps with the Bulgarian national team to date.
Quick Kicks:
- The Philadelphia Union signed attacker Markus Anderson from Spanish third-tier side CF Rayo Majadahonda. Anderson signed a three-year deal with Philadelphia after scoring three goals in 18 appearances for Majadahonda last season.
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