Bryce Alderson

Profile:
A talented and hardworking central midfielder that captained Canada at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Bryce Alderson joined Whitecaps FC’s Major League Soccer roster after signing a 'Generation adidas' contract as a Homegrown player on Nov. 17, 2011. Named Canadian U-17 Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011, the native of Kitchener, Ontario, first joined the club’s Residency program on Sept. 7, 2010.

MLS Expereince:

• 2011: Reserve League: Alderson appeared as a substitute for Whitecaps FC reserves during a 1-0 home defeat to Portland Timbers reserves at Swangard Stadium on Oct. 3. The midfielder again appeared as a substitute in their final match of the Reserve League season, as Whitecaps FC reserves fell 1-0 at Chivas USA reserves on Oct. 18.

United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League:

• 2011: Alderson made his PDL debut for Whitecaps FC Residency during a 2-0 home defeat to Kitsap Pumas on May 1. The midfielder then assisted on Philippe Davies' equalizer during the Residency team's 2-2 away draw with Portland Timbers U-23's on July 10. The midfielder made a total of 11 appearances, as the Residency team finished third in the Northwest Division of the PDL’s Western Conference.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency:

• 2010-11: As a member of the Residency program, Alderson made three appearances during the team’s six-match tour of Mexico in Nov. 2010. This included starts in a 4-2 defeat versus Estudiantes Tecos U-18’s (Nov. 10, 2010), a 4-2 victory over Atlas de Guadalajara U-18’s (Nov. 14, 2010), and a 2-2 draw with Estudiantes Tecos U-19/U-20 side (Nov. 16, 2010). The midfielder then appeared for the Residency team in all three Bracket C matches at Dallas Cup XXXII. This included starts in a 3-2 win over Brazil’s Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (Apr. 17, 2011), a 2-0 defeat to Mexico's Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Tigres UANL) (Apr. 18, 2011), and a 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake U-17/U-18 Academy (Apr. 20, 2011). Alderson also appeared in the 2-1 friendly win over Costa Rica's Liga Deportiva Alajuelense at Dallas Cup XXXII on Apr. 21, 2011.

Canadian Soccer League Reserve League:

• 2010: Prior to joining Whitecaps FC Residency, Alderson scored three goals in 12 appearances for the reserve side of Portugal FC (now Soccer Club of Toronto) in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) Reserve League. Portugal FC Reserves finished seventh in the CSL Reserve League standings that season.

International:

• U-20: In Dec. 2011, Alderson was one of five Whitecaps FC Residency players to be called up by former Whitecaps FC player and assistant coach Nick Dasovic to a 10-day training camp with Canada’s U-20 national team in Sunrise, Florida.
• U-17: Serving as captain, Alderson led Canada’s U-17 national team to a runners-up finish at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and with it, qualification to the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico. The midfielder appeared in all five matches at Jamaica 2011, with Canada making their first U-17 World Cup since 1995 in Ecuador. At Mexico 2011, Alderson captained Canada U-17’s in all three of their Group C matches. This included a 3-0 defeat to U-17 World Cup finalists Uruguay (June 19, 2011), a 2-2 draw with England (June 22, 2011), and a 0-0 draw with Rwanda (June 25, 2011). As a result, Canada missed out on the ‘Round of 16’ at Mexico 2011 after finishing third in Group C.

Youth/Amateur:
Alderson started his soccer career as a four-year-old with Kitchener Soccer Club (KSC) in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. As a member of KSC, the midfielder played in Ontario’s South-West Regional Soccer Association until the age of 11. The midfielder then played for Kitchener Spirit in the Western Ontario Youth Soccer League, where he remained until his U-16 year. As a member of the Ontario provincial team program, Alderson captained his home province to silver medals at the 2008 Canadian U-14 All-Star Championship and the 2010 Canadian U-16 All-Star Championship.

Personal:
Born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario, Alderson attended St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener, Ontario, before moving to Burnaby Central Secondary School in Burnaby, BC, as part of the Whitecaps FC Residency program. His parents are Darline and Mark Alderson, while he has an older sister named Tamara.

Interesting Facts:
When not concentrating on his soccer career, Alderson works on his conditioning by swimming. The midfielder also enjoys watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, and spending time with family and friends. He was an admirer of former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes, while he currently enjoys watching Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, as well as FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi, play.