A Dynamic Duo: Brian White and Ryan Gauld

It has been over 2 years since both of Ryan Gauld and Brian White has joined the club, and their success explains itself. They've connected 11 times to scoring a goal, which is 4th in the MLS among the active teammates. Both of the lads have had great statistics since joining Vancouver, both scoring goals and seemingly having times where they just look unstoppable here in Vancouver.

When they joined

The first acquisition out of the two was the American striker Brian White, as he was traded I believe to Vancouver on June 2, 2021. He joined the Whitecaps on a approximate fee of $364,000 transferred here by New York Red Bull, he was 25 at the time of the trade, and has now transformed into a quality striker for the Whitecaps. While for his pairing Ryan Gauld, he joined on July 31, 2021, about two months after White was signed. He was a huge wonderkid and talent, but he didn't really fulfill his potential in Europe, thus he transferred to the MLS and the Vancouver Whitecaps at 25 at that time, now he is the captain and probably the best player that plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps currently.

2021

It felt like 2021 was when Gauld and White worked like a absolute charm, Brian White was brought in and he scored on his debut against Real Salt Lake, he got 1 goal and 1 assist before Ryan Gauld arrived to the Whitecaps. Now after Gauld arrived, he signed a designated player contract. White has got 12 goals and 5 assists in 27 games in Major League Soccer, while scoring majority of the goals like a real poacher, just be in the right spot at the right time or a header into the back of the net. He also scored a hat-trick against San Jose on October 2, 2021. For the Scotsman Ryan Gauld, he has scored 4 goals and 6 assists in MLS play, if we're including all competitions he scored 6 goals and assisted 6 times in the 2021 season. Maybe less impressive than Brian White, but still pretty impressive as they both were crucial for that playoff push that guided them to the playoffs. With the mid-season acquisitions, there's no way the Caps would make the playoffs that year. It felt like it was Gauld that sparked White, as there was definitely an improvement after Ryan Gauld got there by White. There was also a important link up, as it was decision day and Brian White was in a aerial duel, but he heads it left side for Gauld to head it to the back of the net. And it was that goal that sent Vancouver into the 2021 playoffs.

2022

2022 was probably the worst year out of this Gauld and White pairing, as both of them dealt with injuries especially in the beginning of the season. The Whitecaps fans had high expectations, both for the team and for them. White was for some reason, in and out of the starting lineup and Gauld didn't really spark until the second half of the season. But all and all it was still not bad by this duo, as Gauld had 8 goals and 12 assists, 9 being in MLS. A very good season by the magic man, as he has shown that he can distribute quite well and can score goals. I think this was when Gauld was the best player in Vancouver. While on the other hand, Brian White had a down season compared to last season, as he scored 7 goals in all competitions and 1 assist. With 3 out of the 7 goals being scored in the Canadian Championship. And it was a link up between Ryan Gauld and Brian White to open the scoring in the 2022 Canadian Championship Final. A volley cross by Ryan Gauld finds Brian White at the back post, who jumps athletically to head it in. Overall, a alright season for the duo, but can they do better in 2023? This was the goal that I was talking about.

2023

Now we explore the current time of 2023, and these two have seemingly found their chemistry once again. As not so much in the start of the season, in fact it took Gauld until May 31 to score against Houston, it took him 18 games including all competitions to open his account this season. While his distribution and dribbling was still world class but the goals just weren't going in. While for White, he scored 13 goals so far this season across all competitions, which is his highest scoring season of his career. It should be more to be honest, sometimes his finishing has been slightly iffy sometimes the opoosition goalie makes a great save. Other than scoring, he has also been assisting 4 times this season. For Ryan Gauld he has been putting on a show recently, while he didn't score a goal in 18 games at the start of the season, now he has had 18 G+A in the last 13 games. He has had 18 goal contributions, in 13 games with 10 being goals, and 8 being assists. Once the Gauldfather has opened his account, he's been on fire. With most recently this duo combining for two goals against Portland and they look to continue their forms versus Chicago.

How important they've been

When White and Gauld transferred to Vancouver, some had high expectations but I don't think much people thought that these two will be the star players they desperately needed at the time. With Ryan Gauld and Brian White impacting the Whitecaps to make the playoffs in 2021, as when Gauld arrived they were for sure not in the playoff picture, Gauld has also cemented himself as captain, when Russell Teibert doesn't play. Which means Vanni Sartini trusts him for leadership, and it shows that Gauld shows passion to the game of soccer and the Whitecaps. Now in 2023, these two is a crucial reason for them being 7th as they scored most of the goals and they create for the team a lot especially Ryan Gauld. If both of the players never transferred to Vancouver, they'll play like the 2019 Whitecaps which finished dead last in the MLS.

The future

I feel like the future of the Caps is in both of their hands, if Brian White can get more lucky when finishing and Gauld continues his brilliance recently, then the Whitecaps can very much make a deep playoff run. They can continue their form by continuing to be aggressive especially for White, as I feel like the last few games he has worked for his contributions. For Gauld he can continue to distribute, but I think at times he can shoot instead of pass, or attempt a dribble. As I think he can play with a bit more risk, obviously he should still continue passing but at times maybe Gauld should go for it. With White's contract not expiring until 2025, with a option for 2026, you would think that he would stay as I believe he looks like he enjoys playing with the players, playing under Vanni and the city of Vancouver. But Gauld on the other hand, his contract is running out in 2024, as I think they'll have to start contract negotiation sooner or later, or else Gauld might leave the club which will be terrible for Vancouver. But this year, might be the best Whitecaps team in the MLS era, as you have quality players with Laryea, Adekugbe, Laborda, Cordova and Takaoka being brought in, in the transfer windows as these 5 players are probably all starting 11 quality player. But if the Whitecaps makes a huge playoff run, everyone will remember Ryan Gauld being the star, and Brian White also contributing hugely.