Whitecaps FC Sign MLS NEXT Pro Forward Simon Becher to an MLS Contract

November 17, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 News Release

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed forward Simon Becher from the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) to an MLS contract through 2023, with club options for 2024, 2025, and 2026.

“Simon joined us from the SuperDraft last January and is another example of how important it is to have our MLS NEXT Pro team as part of our path to the first team,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Throughout his first year at the club, Simon showed us he has the qualities that we look for in a player both on and off the pitch. We are excited for him to make the next step and continue to grow in his young career.”

Whitecaps FC forward Simon Becher

Second WFC2 MLS NEXT Pro player to sign with the club’s first team

Tallied a WFC2 team-leading eight goals in 20 starts and 22 appearances in 2022

Scored in his ‘Caps first team debut in August 2022, after signing his first MLS short-term agreement

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, a culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice,” added Becher. “I’m so grateful for my family, friends, teammates and coaches that supported me. To stay in Vancouver makes it all the sweeter, this club is building something special here.”

Becher, 23, started 20 of his 22 appearances with WFC2 during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, leading the team in goals with eight and adding four assists. In addition, the forward received two MLS short-term call-ups to the Whitecaps FC first team, becoming the first WFC2 MLS NEXT Pro player to score an MLS goal on August 5 against Houston Dynamo FC in his first team debut. Becher also spent the 2022 preseason camp with the first team in California.

The product of Brooklyn, Connecticut was originally selected 16th overall by Whitecaps FC in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of Saint Louis University, where he finished tied for first in NCAA goal contributions with 14 goals and 10 assists in his final season. For his efforts, he was named a First Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches, Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Conference, Top Drawer Soccer First Team Best XI, and a Hermann Trophy semifinalist.

In total, Becher scored 21 goals and recorded 13 assists across three seasons at Saint Louis from 2019 to 2021. Prior to playing with the Billikens, the forward played his freshman season at Holy Cross University and led…