Richmond soccer star Patrick Metcalfe has been released by the Vancouver Whitecaps for the 2022 season.
Over the last two seasons, 23-year-old midfielder Metcalfe has made 20 appearances, 14 of which were off the bench, with a total of 561 minutes played.
The Whitecaps made the announcement Thursday morning, amid its annual end-of-season roster decisions.
As well as Metcalfe, the club has declined the 2022 options for Isaac Boehmer and Jasser Khmiri.
““We felt now is the right time for Patrick and Jasser to make the next steps in their career and continue their development at another club. We are thankful for their time and we wish both Pat and Jasser all the best,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director.
Metcalfe broke into the first team squad two seasons ago from the Whitecaps Development Team.
He was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship and was then named to the final squad ahead of the re-scheduled tournament on March 10, 2021.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC roster updates:
• The ‘Caps have exercised the 2022 options for Theo Bair, Michael Baldisimo, Javain Brown, Cristian Dájome, David Egbo, Marcus Godinho, Cristián Gutiérrez, Thomas Hasal, Florian Jungwirth and Brian White
• • Tosaint Ricketts and Andy Rose become MLS Free Agents following the expiration of their 2021 contracts
• Discussions with Isaac Boehmer, Tosaint Ricketts and Andy Rose regarding possible new contracts for 2022 are ongoing
• The club has decided to not purchase the option on Bruno Gaspar, who completed his loan from Portuguese first division side Sporting CP. However, the ‘Caps are continuing discussions with the player and his parent club
Whitecaps FC current roster ahead of 2022, listed by position below:
Goalkeepers (3): Maxime Crépeau, Thomas Hasal, Evan Newton
Defenders (10): Javain Brown, Matteo Campagna, Derek Cornelius, Gianfranco Facchineri, Marcus Godinho, Érik Godoy, Cristián Gutiérrez, Florian Jungwirth, Jake Nerwinski, Ranko Veselinović
Midfielders (10): Michael Baldisimo, Janio Bikel, Caio Alexandre, Simon Colyn, Ryan Gauld, Leonard Owusu, Damiano Pecile, Ryan Raposo, Russell Teibert, Pedro Vite
Forwards (7): Theo Bair, Déiber Caicedo, Lucas Cavallini, Cristian Dájome, David Egbo, Kamron Habibullah, Brian White
Away on loan: Simon Colyn (Jong PSV, through June 2022), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos FC, through December 2022), Damiano Pecile (Venezia FC, through June 2022).