A creative and dynamic playmaker, Ryan Gauld joined Whitecaps FC in July 2021 after being one of only three players during the 2020-21 Liga Portugal season to feature in the league's top 10 in both goals and assists, while leading SC Farense in goals.
The Scottish attacking midfielder agreed to a Designated Player contract through 2024. On January 25, 2024, Gauld agreed to a Designated Player contract extension through 2027.
WHITECAPS FC
'24: Gauld once again cemented himself as one of the league’s best players in 2024. The Scotsman and captain of the team tallied a career-high 17 goals as well as a team-high 16 assists in 37 starts and 41 appearances across all competitions. After a stellar record-breaking season in 2023, Gauld continued to reach milestone after milestone throughout the year, including the club-record for most assists in an MLS regular season campaign with 15, becoming the first ‘Caps player in the club’s MLS era to record double digit goals and assists in back-to-back seasons, setting a club-record for most game-winning MLS regular season assists with 10, and becoming the first player in the club’s MLS era to reach 40+ goals and 40+ assists across all competitions for the club. During the season, Gauld also tied former striker Camilo Sanvezzo for the second-most goals in the club’s MLS era and reached 100 appearances across all competitions for the club with his start against Real Salt Lake on March 23. In MLS play, Gauld was near the top of many in-depth statistics, including big chances created (24 – second in MLS), expected assists (11.0 – third in MLS), and chances created (94 – third in MLS). Gauld finished the MLS regular season eighth in goal contributions in the league with 25 (10 goals, 15 assists), marking a career-high. His 15 MLS assists ranked him with fourth-best total in the league. He also had a run of 26 goal contributions in his final 23 appearances of the year (across all competitions) and was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday a team-high 10 times (Matchday 7, Matchday 10, Matchday 15, Matchday 17, Matchday 18, Matchday 20, Matchday 24, Matchday 26, Matchday 30, Matchday 32). In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Gauld recorded a whopping six goal contributions in four matches (five goals, one assist), including a memorable hat-trick against Portland Timbers in the Western Conference Knockout Round. Along with an assist in the match, Gauld became only the seventh player in league history to score a hat-trick in the postseason and only the third player to record three goals and one assist in a single match after Sebastian Giovinco and Landon Donovan. Along with his success at the club level, Gauld found himself back in the Scotland men’s national team fold. The native of Laurencekirk, Scotland made his international debut for his country on September 5 as a substitute in their UEFA Nations League match against Poland. Gauld then went on to make five more appearances for the Tartan Army in 2024.
'23: In 2023, Gauld caught the eyes of the whole league with his creativity in the final third. The Scotsman, who was named a candidate for the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player award, tallied 12 goals as well as a team-high 17 assists across 40 starts and 42 appearances in all competitions this season. Gauld’s golden season saw him etch his name in Whitecaps FC’s MLS history, becoming the club’s all-time leader in assists across all competitions as well as the all-time leader in MLS assists. In MLS regular season action, Gauld was at the top of many in-depth statistics on both sides of the ball, including big chances created (18 – third in MLS), expected assists (8.93 – fifth in MLS), chances created (78 – sixth in MLS), expected goals (12.29 – ninth in MLS), and tackles (64 – 19th in MLS). Gauld finished the season ninth in goal contributions in the league with 23 (11 goals, 12 assists). His 12 MLS assists, which ranked seventh in the league, were all primary assists, putting him second in that category. He also recorded the most goal contributions (22 – 11 goals, 11 assists) from May 31 through to the end of the regular season and was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday a team-high 12 times ((Matchday 11, Matchday 14, Matchday 16, Matchday 21, Matchday 25, Matchday 26, Matchday 28, Matchday 29, Matchday 30, Matchday 32, Matchday 35, Matchday 36). Following the club’s 3-2 away victory over Los Angeles FC, Gauld was named the MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 21 as he recorded a goal and two assists against the defending MLS Cup Champions. Gauld was also the recipient for the club's Player of the Year award.
'22: In his first full season with Whitecaps FC, Gauld continued to implement his attacking creativity in the final third as he was named the club’s Player of the Year. The Scotsman tallied eight goals as well as a team-high 11 assists across 29 starts and 32 appearances in all competitions in 2022, while leading the team in key attacking categories including expected assists (5.31), expected goals (6.06), chances created (50), big chances created (7), shots (75), and shots on goal (25). Additionally, six of Gauld’s 19 goal contributions came on game-winning goals and three of those goal contributions helped the ‘Caps claim points from losing positions. The playmaker was also named to the MLS Team of the Week a team-high four times, featuring in the teams for Week 6, Week 20, Week 23 and Week 26.
'21: Having arrived mid-season, Gauld burst onto the scene and quickly became one of the best players in his position in MLS thanks to his creative vision in the final third. The Scot tallied four goals as well as six assists in 13 starts and 18 appearances during the regular season on route to helping the ‘Caps clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs while also earning himself a nomination for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. Gauld finished the season tied for second in the Western Conference in key passes per match with 2.5 (also tied for fifth-best in MLS) and led the ‘Caps in key passes (40), chances created (45) and expected assists (4.39). Gauld received plenty of recognition throughout the season, as he was named to MLS Team of the Week for four consecutive weeks - Week 20, Week 21, Week 22, Week 23 – as well as the Team of the Week for Week 34 after his playoff-clinching goal against Seattle Sounders FC. In addition, Gauld also scored two goals as a starter in the ‘Caps Canadian Championship showdown against Pacific FC and played the full 90 minutes in the playoff match against Sporting Kansas City.
SC FARENSE
'20-'21: Ranked sixth in the Primeira Liga with seven assists, while leading SC Farense with nine goals. He made 33 starts out of a possible 34 matches and was among the league leaders in several statistical categories. Gauld’s 2.3 key passes per game and 7.58 expected assists were tops in the Primeira Liga. Was also top five in the league in shots, corners, free kicks, and penalty goals scored.
'19-'20: Led SC Farense to promotion from the Portuguese second division to the Primeira Liga after a 2019-20 season where coaches and captains voted him the league’s Player of the Year. During the shortened season, he placed sixth in the league with nine goals while adding three assists in 21 starts and appearances.
SPORTING CP
'14-'19: After just over two seasons with Dundee United, Gauld made the move to Portugal in 2014 with famed Sporting CP. Beginning 2016, he would go on loan stints within the Primeira Liga with Vitória FC, CD Aves, and SC Farense, as well as back to the Scottish Premiership with Hibernian FC.
DUNDEE UNITED
'12-'14: A product of Scottish club Dundee United’s youth system, Gauld moved up to the first team as a 16-year-old in 2012.
INTERNATIONAL
In his youth, Gauld featured for his country’s U-19 and U-21 sides. In 2024, a decade after his first call-up, Gauld received his second call-up to Scotland's senior team and made his international debut off the bench in a UEFA Nations League clash against Poland on September 5. Three days later, Gauld earned his second cap for his country, once again coming off the bench as Scotland faced Portugal in another UEFA Nations League match.
