So, despite all the good Canadian news from the Whitecaps, after the team's two matches this past week, its season-long average of minutes played by Canadians per match dipped below 90. That means the Whitecaps average less than one full 90 minute session for a Canadian player per game. And that puts them far behind the four other Canadian MLS and NASL sides.

And now that Vancouver has become the de facto home for the national side, the Whitecaps lack of, well, first-team Canadian-ness was only accentuated. But, on Monday, the Whitecaps were able to tweet out highlights of their new signings playing for the national team and wrap themselves in the flag.

In Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Colorado, the Whitecaps didn’t have a Canadian in the starting lineup, and didn’t have a Canadian come off the bench, either. That’s not the only depressing news when it comes to minutes played by Canadians in the major North American leagues. The Montreal Impact only had three minutes played by a Canadian this past weekend — Patrice Bernier in a substitute role.

Johnson went down injured after tripping over Ousted while in the act of shooting. In fact, not to overdramatize the whole thing, but it was reminiscent of another famous Cup-winning goal from another sport; Bobby Orr tripping over Glenn Hall while in the act of scoring a championship-deciding marker.

For a few precious days in the spring, the Canadian national futsal team became the darlings of this nation’s passionate soccer fanbase. And, at the centre of it all was a keeper who once plied his trade in Nicaragua...

When he first arrived in Vancouver, Marco Bustos was a homesick teen. After a few months in the Whitecaps Residency, he was told by the club to get his act together. Now, years later, he is one of the Whitecaps’ brightest prospects...

Nik Ledgerwood was born and raised in Lethbridge, but left town when he was a teenager so he could pursue his soccer career. More than a decade later, he’s come back to his home province... 

Now, Justin Trudeau is the Prime Minister, at the head of a Liberal majority. So, how does the new regime see our bid for the World Cup? We asked Carla Qualtrough, the Minister of Sport and Persons With Disabilities.

When Erin McLeod went down with a career-threatening injury, Canada’s most-assured position — goalkeeper — became the biggest question mark heading into the 2016 Olympics. Who will emerge as Canada’s No. 1 choice heading into the Rio Games?

Yes, the Canadian clubs are mandated by the Canadian Soccer Association to have a high percentage of Canadian players. But, we’re also seeing a spike in Canadians signed by the American USL clubs. Swope Park Rangers have four. The Rochester Rhinos have three, as does Orlando City’s B side. You’ll find two Canadians on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. A Canadian keeper — John Smits — is the everyday No. 1 for the Wilmington Hammerheads.