Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso is playing the best soccer of his career. The 23-year-old centre back from Toronto got the call to represent the Canadian men’s national team ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia on March 28 and 31 in his home city. Priso got his first taste of action with the national team back in January, when he was called up as part of “Camp Poutine,” a squad made up of mostly younger players who play their club soccer in North America. On Jan. 17, Priso started for Canada and played 70 minutes before being subbed off in Canada’s 1-0 victory against Guatemala. It was his first time wearing the red and white at the senior level, and first time since playing for Canada at the Under-17 level in 2019, and his play with both Canada and the Whitecaps has earned him another call up, less than three months before the World Cup. Priso was signed to the Toronto FC Academy in 2017, finally getting his first minutes in Major League Soccer with TFC in October 2020. He would spend nearly two years with his hometown club before being transferred to Colorado Rapids in July 2022, then making the move to Vancouver in March 2024. Throughout his career, Priso has played primarily as a midfielder, but last season, Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen converted Priso into a central defender, due to a number of injuries in the squad. Priso flourished in his new position, and has become a regular starter for the Whitecaps, helping the team reach MLS Cup last season. These friendlies are likely a final opportunity for several players, including Priso, to impress Canada head coach Jesse Marsch and make a case to be among the 26-man roster to represent Canada at the World Cup at home. There have been no hints as to who will play in this international window, but with injuries plaguing Canada’s defence, Marsch may test out a couple of different options at centre back in these two matches, possibly giving Priso a chance to earn some playing time on the pitch. He could end up playing against Whitecaps teammate Rayan Elloumi, who has been called up to represent Canada’s upcoming opponent, Tunisia. The final centre back spot on the roster may come down to a decision between Priso and Aldergrove B.C.’s Joel Waterman, who currently plays for the Chicago Fire in MLS. If Priso does earn a spot on Canada’s World Cup team, it would be something of a double homecoming for him this summer. Canada’s first group stage match at the World Cup will be at BMO Field in Toronto against the winner of Tuesday’s European play-off final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina on on June 12. Canada will then travel to BC Place in Vancouver to face Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
