Brian White’s Journey to being a top goal scorer in the league is not a typical one. He wasn’t a European hopeful that got sent to the MLS to pad his stats, he wasn’t a top USMNT prospect that stayed home by choice.
White built his career year by year to become a reliable goal scorer in Vancouver after a rough start with the New York Red Bulls.
After his move to Vancouver, the American Striker slowly found his form. After two strong 15-goal seasons, White is on pace to be a top-three goal scorer in the league.
A rough start to his MLS Career
At 21, White started his career for the New York Red Bulls. However, this didn’t last long for the American. He was sent down to the USL affiliate, New York Red Bulls II.
In 28 matches played, White attributed 11 goals and five assists. This earned White the chance back with the MLS club with a chance to stay in Americas top league.
In 19 matches, he contributed to 10 goals, which is impressive for someone who spent almost the entire year prior in the USL. 2020-2021 The Striker struggled with five goals and two assists in his final season with the Red Bulls.
This marked the start of his career with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Similar to his run in New York, it had its rough patches. 12 goals in 2021, where he left the Red Bulls early in the season and finished strong in Canada.
In 2022, he had his worst season with over 26 appearances. Fortunately for White, he would turn his career around.
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A two-year turnaround
The 2023-2024 season, White played the most amount of games in his career up to that point. The two seasons played out similar on the stat sheet.
White earned 15 goals in each season with four and two assists through out the two season. In his age 26 and 27 season, White proved to be a reliable finisher in the MLS. It wasn’t good enough for White to be a regular call up for the United states Men’s National team.
White went from a fringe USL/MLS striker to a trust source of goals throughout this point in his career.
It may not have been the big jump he dreamed of, it was big enough to keep him in the league as Vancouver was building their team they hoped to compete with in the coming years.
A Wonder Year for the American Striker
Brian White has been one of the top three goal scorers this year, arguable the most impressive out of the top of the pack. Vancouver Whitecaps have taken advantage of a weak Western Conference and earned a comfortable point gap with the top spot.
Vancouver Whitecaps earned this spot thanks to their surprising stars and young roster that has taken the league by storm. Their young core of Brian White and Sebastion Berhalter have been a dynamic one at that.
Berhalter has manned the middle and helped create space for White being one of the main contributors for why White has had so many golden chances.
In 10 MLS games White has score eight goals, White has only five expected goals a game. White has been over achieving this season and capitalizing on every chance he has had this season.
White heads into the Summer months with huge expectations with a first place team depending on his scoring ability to carry them to the playoffs.
The biggest test for White is the Gold Cup for the USMNT, with top players missing he may have chances late in games. With the striker spot being a two man race and White being the odd man out he needs to take chances when he is given time.
No matter what happens for the USMNT White has had a career year with a top team trending in the right direction.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date 10.05.2025