VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Residency defender/midfielder Matthew Baldisimo and midfielder/striker Alphonso Davies have been signed to professional contracts with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) in the United Soccer League (USL).

“We’re very excited to push Matthew and Alphonso on to the professional level,” said Whitecaps FC Residency technical director Craig Dalrymple. “Both players are passionate about playing for this club. Matthew is extremely competitive and plays in the best interest of the team, while Alphonso is an intelligent attacking player who is excellent going one-v-one. The challenge for them now will be to transfer their abilities to the increasing demands of the senior professional game.”

Both players are currently with the first team in Portland, Oregon for the 2016 Simple Invitational tournament.

WFC2 defender/midfielder Matthew Baldisimo

Born and raised in Burnaby, BC

100 appearances and nine goals with Whitecaps FC Residency in USSDA

Captained Canada at 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, starting four matches and scoring one goal

Baldisimo, 18, first joined Whitecaps FC as part of the Pre-Residency program in 2011. During his four seasons playing in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA), Baldisimo has amassed 88 starts in 100 appearances, scoring nine goals. In the current 2015-16 season, the defender/midfielder has started 17 of his 20 appearances with the U-18 Residency team, scoring five goals. Last October, Baldisimo was the recipient of the BMO Registered Education Savings Plan Youth Soccer Player award.

At the international level, Baldisimo has played with Canada’s U-15 and U-17 national teams. The Burnaby, BC native captained Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship tournament in Honduras, starting four matches and scoring the winning goal in an opening 3-1 victory over Haiti.

Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Baldisimo played his entire youth career in his hometown, starting with Wesburn Youth Soccer Club, then South Burnaby Metro Club, and ending with Burnaby Selects. Balsisimo was also a member of the BC Soccer U-13 provincial team, where he served as co-captain.

Baldisimo is one of three brothers to have played in the Residency program, with older brother Mark graduating in 2014, and younger brother Michael currently playing on the club’s U-16 and U-18 teams.

WFC2 midfielder/striker Alphonso Davies

Born in Monrovia, Liberia and raised in Edmonton, Alberta

Eight goals in 15 appearances with Whitecaps FC Residency in 2015-16 USSDA season

Called up to Canada U-15 and U-18 national teams

At 15 years, three months, and three weeks, Davies is the youngest player in the USL

Davies, 15, joined Whitecaps FC Residency in September of 2015. The native of Monrovia, Liberia was invited to the first team’s preseason training camp in Tucson, Arizona earlier this month, where he appeared in all three matches and recorded an assist. He also picked up an assist in WFC2’s preseason opener against UBC.

In his first USSDA season, Davies has started 12 matches for the U-16 Residency team, scoring six goals. The midfielder/striker has also started two of his three appearances with the U-18 team, scoring another two goals.

Internationally, Davies, who was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, has been called up three times to Canada’s U-15 national team, and once to the U-18 national team in October.

In his youth career, Davies played at Edmonton Internationals before moving to Edmonton Strikers, where he was coached under the guidance of Nick Housef.

For more information on the Whitecaps FC Residency program, visit whitecapsfc.com/residency.

Matthew Baldisimo

Position: Defender/Midfielder

Height: 5-08

Weight: 167

Date of Birth: January 20, 1998 in Vancouver, BC

Hometown: Burnaby, BC

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Domestic

Youth Club: Burnaby Selects

Alphonso Davies

Position: Midfielder/Striker

Height: 5-10

Weight: 152

Date of Birth: November 2, 2000 in Monrovia, Liberia

Hometown: Edmonton, AB

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Domestic

Youth Club: Edmonton Strikers