Priso primed for big role as Vancouver Whitecaps continue MLS Cup hunt

By Canadian Press on November 26, 2025.

VANCOUVER — When injuries wreaked havoc on the Vancouver Whitecaps’ defence this season, head coach Jesper Sorensen decided to work with what he had.

What he had was Ralph Priso.

The 23-year-old from Toronto started the season as a midfielder, but has filled in as a crucial centre back for Vancouver as the club pushes its way toward the MLS Cup.

He’s expected to fill a big role again on Saturday when the ‘Caps play their first Western Conference final, battling expansion side San Diego FC for a spot in the championship game.

“I feel comfortable anywhere on the pitch. Especially the way we play suits me well to where I can almost play with my mind, I would say, sometimes more than even my physical abilities,” Priso said of switching positions midseason.

“And so it’s just about expanding on what my role is, wherever it is, and just doing whatever it is I need to do to help the team.”

A product of Toronto FC’s academy, Priso played for TFC and the Colorado Rapids before getting picked up by the Whitecaps ahead of the 2024 campaign.

He made 20 appearances, including eight starts, across all competitions for the team last season, contributing two assists in MLS play, then signed a new contract in December.

This year, his usage has ballooned under Sorensen.

Priso played a career-high 28 games during the regular season, starting in 14, and contributed three assists. He also saw action in eight CONCACAF Champions Cup games before the Whitecaps fell to Cruz Azul in the final, and seven Canadian Championship games as his team hoisted the Voyageurs Cup for a fourth straight year.

Priso helps the Whitecaps build play from the back and is solid defensively, Sorensen said.

“I think he’s had a good season overall. I think he played a lot of good games for us at the midfield position,” the coach said. “We just think that he has abilities to play the centre back position also very well.”

Not all players would easily adjust to a new position, but the way the midfielder-turned-centre back has performed has impressed his teammates.

“Ralph looks like he’s been playing there for years. And he’s massive for us right now,” said midfielder Ali Ahmed.

During the post-season, Priso has continued to be a stalwart presence.

He was the one who provided a clutch goal in Game 2 of a first-round series with FC Dallas, equalizing the score at 1-1 in the 93rd minute to force penalties. The ‘Caps won 4-2 to advance.

Priso will likely be leaned on again Saturday when his team heads to San Diego for the Western Conference final.

Vancouver will be without MLS defender of the year Tristan Blackmon for the game after Blackmon was sent off in a semifinal bout with Los Angeles FC last weekend. L.A. scored on the ensuing free kick to level the match at 2-2 in the 95th minute, but the ‘Caps won 4-3 on penalty kicks.

The way the team stayed resilient after Blackmon was ousted is big, Priso said.

“I think it’s morally difficult when you’re up 2-0 and then you get a red card and see a free kick like that go in,” he said. “So I think just the ability to stay strong in that moment and stay together was definitely special.”

His position may have changed, but for Priso, the game is the same. He said he’s just grown more comfortable with what Sorensen wants from him as the year has continued.

Confidence is easier to find with a group like the current ‘Caps team, he added.

“I think we’re a team where you know you have guys around you that’ll make your life easier. And you have a coach that will put you in positions to succeed,” Priso said.

“So with that, it’s just about taking care of my job, because I know the guys around me will take care of theirs. And that just makes it more clear and easy for me to focus on what I need to do.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2025.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press