A midfielder with plenty of experience playing in some of the top competitions in world football, Alessandro Schöpf joined the 'Caps in August 2022 via the use of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), agreeing to a contract through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
WHITECAPS FC
'24: Schöpf enjoyed his most productive season with the ‘Caps in 2024, starting 29 of his 43 appearances and recording one goal as well as three assists. Just like he did in 2023, the Austrian international scored his lone goal of the season in the ‘Caps first away match of the season in San Jose. The midfielder then put in a man of the match performance with an assist in the 4-0 victory over Toronto FC on April 6 in Matchday 8 action, receiving league recognition by being named to the MLS Team of the Matchday. Schöpf also recorded assists against Minnesota United FC on July 3 and against Houston Dynamo FC on July 20.
'23: Schöpf began the season by starting four of the ‘Caps first five MLS regular season matches, a run where he scored his first goal for the club in the first away match of the season at San Jose Earthquakes on March 4. In total, the midfielder’s first full season in Vancouver saw him start 26 of his 34 appearances across all competitions, adding a goal and two assists.
'22: Having arrived in Vancouver at the start of August, Schöpf started five of his seven appearances for the ‘Caps, making his debut at Los Angeles Galaxy on August 13 as a substitute.
ARMINIA BIELEFELD
'21-'22: Schöpf spent the 2021/22 season with Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld, where he started 29 of his 33 appearances for the club across all competitions.
SCHALKE 04
'16-'21: The native of Zams, Austria spent the previous six seasons from 2016 to 2021 with Schalke 04, tallying 16 goals as well as 10 assists across 93 starts and 143 appearances in Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League play. At Schalke, Schöpf played under Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster before the German moved to Vancouver in November 2019.
1. FC NÜRNBERG
'14-'16: Prior to his time with Schalke, the Austrian international played two seasons in the 2.Bundesliga with 1. FC Nürnberg. The midfielder started 53 of his 55 appearances across all competitions for the club, netting 11 goals and adding 13 assists.
FC BAYERN MUNICH
'09-'14: Schöpf joined FC Bayern Munich’s famed youth system in 2009 playing for their U-17 and U-19 sides before helping FC Bayern Munich II win the German Regionalliga Bavaria title in 2013-14.
INTERNATIONAL
Schöpf has represented Austria 32 times, starting 14 matches across two EURO tournaments, World Cup Qualifiers, UEFA Nations League and international friendlies. The midfielder has also netted six goals for his country. In his youth, Schöpf represented Austria at the U-16, U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels.
Schöpf is the first Austrian international to play for Vancouver.
