21-year-old Ecuadorian leads active U-22 South Americans in goal contributions
VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Bruno Caicedo has been named to the 2026 22 Under 22 list, highlighting the top 22 vote getters among MLS’s elite young talent. The 21-year-old Ecuadorian was ranked 15th overall.
Caicedo's combination of electric pace and dribbling has brought a different dimension to the 'Caps attack. The forward has recorded five goals, as well as four assists, in nine starts and 25 appearances across all competitions in his debut season with Vancouver. Eight of those goal contributions have come in MLS play (five goals, three assists), ranking first in goal contributions amongst active U-22 South Americans in the league this season. Overall, Caicedo is tied for ninth in goal contributions amongst players selected to this year's 22 Under 22 and is one of three South Americans to be named to the list. Caicedo is also tied for the fourth highest successful dribbles per 90 rate this season in MLS with 2.40, as per Opta.
Prior to this summer's FIFA Men's World Cup 2026, Caicedo received his first call-up to Ecuador's men's national team. He has previously represented his country at the U-20 level, making four starts at the 2025 U-20 South American Championship.
Caicedo joined Whitecaps FC in January 2026 via transfer from famed Ecuadorian side Barcelona SC. A product of Barcelona SC’s youth academy, Caicedo spent the last two years developing on loan in the Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A with Cumbayá FC and Orense SC before arriving in Vancouver in mid-March.
Players selected to this year's 22 Under 22 list were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS on Apple TV talent, and select media.
Over the years, Whitecaps FC has been well represented in 22 Under 22/24 Under 24, earning as many as 22 selections dating back to the club's inaugural MLS season in 2011.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Selections in MLS 22 Under 22/24 Under 24
2026: Bruno Caicedo (15)
2023: Pedro Vite (16)
2021: Déiber Caicedo (21)
2018: Alphonso Davies (1)
2017: Alphonso Davies (4)
2016: Kekuta Manneh (5), Tim Parker (18)
2015: Kekuta Manneh (2), Matias Laba (12), Octavio Rivero (18)
2014: Kekuta Manneh (12), Matias Laba (15), Gershon Koffie (22), Russell Teibert (24)
2013: Russell Teibert (10), Darren Mattocks (12), Gershon Koffie (17)
2012: Darren Mattocks (1), Gershon Koffie (12), Omar Salgado (23)
2011: Camilo Sanvezzo (13), Omar Salgado (19)
