Ryan Raposo


Ryan Raposo is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Youth

Born in Hamilton to a Portuguese father and Chinese mother, Raposo began playing soccer at a young age, making his first competitive rep team when he was eight with Mount Hamilton SC. When he was 11, he joined the Toronto FC Academy, but the club released him two years later, believing him to be "too small and too skinny". Afterwards, he joined the Burlington Youth SC at age 12, joining the provincial program at age 14. Soon after, he was selected to play on the Canadian under-15 national team.
Raposo attended Syracuse University, where he played soccer for two years. In his final year, Raposo led his team in points and goals, earning a spot in the All-ACC first team.

Club career

During college, Raposo also appeared for League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri in both 2018 and 2019 during the NCAA offseason. He played in the 2019 Canadian Championship and scored in the first leg of their tie, which was lost on away goals to Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC.
On January 9, 2020, Raposo was selected fourth overall by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, and was signed by the club to a Generation Adidas contract.

International career

Raposo was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 26, 2020.

Style of play

Described as "a skilful winger" by Neil Davidson, Raposo is also capable of playing as a number ten. His former Syracuse coach Ian McIntyre labelled him a "dynamic, exciting attacker who can torment defenders."