Vancouver Whitecaps’ coach, defender, goalkeeper up for MLS awards

Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen reacts on the sideline during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Portland Timbers, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

VANCOUVER — Three Vancouver Whitecaps have been shortlisted for Major League Soccer’s end-of-season awards.

Jesper Sorensen is a candidate for coach of the year, Tristan Blackmon is a finalist for defender of the year and Yohei Takaoka is up for goalkeeper of the year.

Sorensen joined the Whitecaps in January and oversaw a historic regular season where the ‘Caps finished second in the Western Conference with an 18-7-9 record, the most goals in the West (66) and the best goal differential in the league (+28).

Vancouver also stunned many in CONCACAF Champions Cup play, earning a spot in the final, and captured a fourth straight Canadian Championship title.

Blackmon was a key part of the team’s back line, starting 23 of the 25 league games he appeared in, and contributing two goals and one assist before suffering a knee injury in mid September.

Takaoka played every minute of Vancouver’s 34 MLS games and recorded a league-high 13 clean sheets.

Winners for the awards will be announced throughout the MLS playoffs.

The Whitecaps will begin their post-season on Sunday when they host FC Dallas to kick off a best-of-three first-round series.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2025.