Vancouver Whitecaps FC will begin their 2026 campaign without their talisman. The club announced on January 27 that captain Ryan Gauld has undergone a successful arthroscopic debridement on his left knee.
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- Target Return: A full recovery is projected for April 2026.
- Preseason: Gauld will remain in Austria for initial rehab before returning to Vancouver, missing the club’s training camp in Spain.
- Crucial Matches Missed: * CONCACAF Champions Cup: Round of 16 vs. C.S. Cartaginés (Feb 18).
- MLS Season Opener: Home opener vs. Real Salt Lake (Feb 21).
- Early Spring Slates: Most of March’s regular-season fixtures.
Why Now?
This procedure targets the same left knee Gauld injured in early 2025. Although he returned for the Whitecaps’ historic run to the MLS Cup Final last November, he was visibly playing through pain. Sporting Director Axel Schuster noted that this elective surgery was the best long-term move to ensure Gauld is 100% for the second half of the year.
The “Gauld-Sized” Gap
Replacing Gauld is no small feat. He sits on the cusp of a major milestone with 99 career goal contributions for the club. Last season, Vancouver managed a gritty “committee-style” offense when he was out; they will need to tap into that depth again to survive a busy February and March schedule.
