Ali Ahmed: Meet the secret engine behind Vancouver Whitecaps' success this season
"We showed we are the best Canadian team and we have been for the past two to three years,” Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said after his side smashed Toronto FC 4-0 last weekend to secure first place in the Major League Soccer Western Conference. But Sartini had more to say: “I don't know why we have to remind everyone. Maybe we need to remind the Canadian media and OneSoccer." We have listened and have gone even further trying to break down the club’s recent success. Indeed, despite the obvious stars Ryan Gauld and Brian White there is another player that stood out: Ali Ahmed.
With four wins and one draw from the first six games this season, the Whitecaps have not only been once again the best Canadian club in MLS this season but one of the best clubs in the league, period. Interestingly enough, the club has managed that start with Sartini suspended and Ahmed – a player identified by the Italian coach as crucial to his system – not fully fit. Coming off a preseason injury, Ahmed has featured in every single game this season but his first start didn’t come until matchday 6 when the Whitecaps beat Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers 3-2.
At a first glance, the injury might explain why Ahmed has still somewhat lacked in production this season. Indeed, the 23-year-old Toronto native’s only goal this season came in a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. After the game, Ahmed clarified that he expects more from himself going forward. “I said that coming into this year that one of the goals of mine was to get some production behind the positive play,” Ahmed said. I think I was having some solid performances last year, but I wasn’t putting much goals or assists. I’m always team first, but definitely one of my goals this year will be to score goals and help the team get some results.”
Ali Ahmed: Whitecaps star is more than goals and assists
More productivity would certainly be welcome by a Whitecaps side that has become heavily reliant on Gauld and White for the majority of the goals over the last few seasons. To some extent, the addition of Fafà Picault has helped spread the load a little bit to start the season. The MLS veteran currently leads the club with three goals and two assists in seven games across all competitions. Picault isn’t alone; wing-back Ryan Raposo is second with two goals and two assists.
In the meantime, White and Gauld have scored twice each, and it would be a huge shock if the two won’t finish as the club’s top goalscorers. Underlying stats show that Gauld is already doing most of the heavy lifting. According to Wyscout, he is currently seventh in the league and first among Whitecaps with 57.14% completed smart passes this season. But the underlying numbers also tell a more complete story about Ahmed and his importance to the club.
Ahmed, in fact, is quietly becoming an elite MLS player. Just a few examples. The Canadian midfielder is currently second in MLS behind only LAFC superstar Denis Bouanga (10 dribbles per 90) with 9.9 dribbles per 90 minutes. Ahmed is also second with 6.3 progressive runs per 90 minutes and third in the league with 159.62 ball progressions per run. That last stat essentially measures how many meters a player is taking the ball forward and underlines the importance Ahmed’s importance in Sartini’s midfield setup. Indeed, those numbers underline that Ahmed is increasingly becoming the Whitecaps’ engine, and with increasing fitness, that importance will only grow. Now if Ahmed can add a few goals and assists, the Canadian could be on his way to true MLS elite.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Oct 10, 2000 (23)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2025
- Position:
- Central Midfield
- Market Value:
- €2.00m
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 14.11.1976 (47)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2025
- In charge since:
- Aug 27, 2021
- Total Market Value:
- €36.95m
- Competition:
- Major League Soccer
- Manager:
- Vanni Sartini
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Giuseppe Bovalina