The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos on a short-term mortgage from Canadian Premier League aspect York United to assist ease their crisis between the sticks.
Vancouver’s common first selection, Thomas Hasal, is sidelined with a finger damage and is not anticipated to be match for an additional couple of weeks. To make issues worse, Isaac Boehmer and Cody Cropper had been each positioned in MLS well being and security protocols, ruling them out of Sunday’s journey to Charlotte FC.
That left the Whitecaps with no senior goalkeepers out there this weekend, which meant they certified for Major League Soccer’s Extreme Hardship scheme, which exists when a group has fewer than two goalkeepers out there or has lower than 16 outfield gamers out there.
Giantsopoulos is predicted to arrive in North Carolina on Saturday night time and might be out there for Sunday’s sport earlier than returning to York United, the place he is stored three clear sheets in eight begins throughout all competitions this season.
“We are very thankful to York, especially Niko, head coach Martin Nash, and general manager Angus McNab,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster stated in a membership press launch. “It is great to see Canadian clubs stand together and we are also grateful to our colleagues at the Canadian Premier League and Canada Soccer for their help.”
Academy goalkeeper Max Anchor has additionally signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract, an settlement for an MLS homegrown contract for subsequent season. The 17-year-old has been added to the first-team roster through a short-term settlement to present further cowl this weekend.
Anchor’s deal retains him on the membership by the 2025 season with choices on an extra two years thereafter. The teenager might be within the squad to face Charlotte earlier than seeing out the remainder of the MLS NEXT Pro season with Whitecaps FC 2.