In Episode 268 of the Third Sub Podcast, Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic and Samuel Rowan chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Rise, Vancouver FC, Pacific FC and more.
Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!
In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Rise, Vancouver FC, Pacific FC and more.
To begin, they dive into the latest from the Whitecaps, who have had quite the eventful week on the pitch in MLS play, as they first beat their rivals, the Seattle Sounders, 2-0 on the road to earn another Cascadia Cup crown, before falling 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo and then beating FC Dallas 5-0 in a pair of home games.
While the Dynamo loss still stings for the Whitecaps, who temporarily relinquished top spot in the Western Conference to Houston with that defeat, they’ll feel optimistic that they’re finally finding their best level again after the Dallas victory, one where they truly looked like the best version of themselves again – something that hasn’t always been the case for them post-World Cup break.
Alex and Sam look at why that was the case, with the insertion of a new-look front four, the return of some key players from injuries, and the continued development of some unsung heroes seemingly setting the Whitecaps up to catch fire over the next few weeks – starting with a match against Sporting Kansas City away this weekend.
After the Whitecaps chat, which also includes some of the latest news on the Whitecaps transfer market business, they finish the show with some chat about the other B.C. professional teams.
Firstly, they look at how the Vancouver Rise have found a bit of form again in Northern Super League play, thanks to some key defensive improvements, before looking at Vancouver FC’s mini-slump, and Pacific’s quest for a win in Canadian Premier League play to round off the show.
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Photo Credit: Chaehyun Lim
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What are your thoughts on today’s additions – the players seem to fit the current needs / expected transfers out next season.
sure the Caps looked very good last game- i am just not ready to proclaim that everything is solved when teams do the low block defence
looks like the Caps might be in the running for a MF from Udinese, 2nd tier of Italy- RUI MODESTO- not a super significant signing that i had hoped for as he was a fringe player
since the transfer window for MLS closes next week, it seems like Axel wont be doing a power AMF to replace Berhalter- count me as disappointed- it might have to do with spending significant money and not knowing if the POTENTIAL new ownership group is willing to do that
Salty
They spent the Berhalter transfer fee on Cvetkovic, that’s your replacement.
Aleksa Cvetković ?
Whitecaps FC acquire midfielder Aleksa Cvetković from OFK Beograd
Serbian midfielder and U22 Initiative signing made 73 appearances across three seasons for OFK Beograd VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired Serbian midfielder Aleksa Cvetković via transfer from Serbian SuperLiga side OFK Beograd. Cvetković has agreed to a U22 Initiative contract through
Career Summary
Bringing a relentless workrate in the midfield, Cvetković joined Whitecaps FC via transfer in August 2026 after spending three seasons with Serbia SuperLiga side OFK Beograd.
The Serbian youth international agreed to a U22 Initiative contract through the 2029-30 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season.
OFK BEOGRAD
Cvetković started 52 of his 73 appearances across all competitions in three seasons with Beograd, scoring seven goals and adding nine assists. The 21-year-old played most of his minutes as a central midfielder, while also showing versatility by being deployed as a winger.
RED STAR BELGRADE
Cvetković originally came through the youth system at famed Serbian side Red Star Belgrade, spending time with the club’s U-17 and U-19 sides. His most productive offensive season came with the U-19s in 2023/24 when he tallied 16 goal contributions (nine goals, seven assists) across 33 starts and 36 appearances in the Serbian Omladinska Liga and UEFA Youth League competition. He also played a key role during the 2021/22 season, helping the U-17s become national champions.
GRAFICAR BELGRADE
During his time in Red Star’s youth system, Cvetković spent half a season on loan at Graficar Belgrade, making two appearances for the first team and 11 appearances for the U-19 side.