Morales won’t be back with Whitecaps
Chilean was captain and team’s all-time assist leader
Pedro Morales’s time in Vancouver is over.
The Whitecaps announced Wednesday they are not exercising the option year remaining on his contract, which ends his time with the club.
“Since the day Pedro joined our club he has been an excellent professional and one of the most naturally gifted players I have ever coached,” coach Carl Robinson said in an emailed statement. “We are thankful for his contributions to the club and city, and wish him all the best.”
“I’d like to give thanks on behalf of my family and I for these three amazing years, which without a doubt have made an impact on my life as a person and my career as a football player,” Morales wrote in an open letter on whitecapsfc.com.
Morales is the team’s all-time assist leader (22) and is second in goals (25).
Morales was named the team’s captain following the retirement of inaugural captain Jay DeMerit in July 2014. He was also named the MLS Newcomer of the Year following the 2014 season.
The Chilean international struggled with injury during much of the 2015 season, and also struggled to be a consistent influence in 2016, though he did score nine goals on the season.
He scored in the season’s final three games, including a scorcher in the club’s season-closing 4-1 win over Portland.