After three appearances as a substitute, 19-year-old Theo Bair made his first MLS start for the Vancouver Whitecaps' against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night, a game that ended in a 3-0 loss at BC Place for the home side..
Bair was officially signed to a Homegrown Player contract almost exactly a year ago, with the term of the agreement beginning at the start of the 2019 season.
The Ottawa native went the full 90 in the match, making three shots, including one on target, for Marc Dos Santos' team.
Dos Santos apologized to the Whitecaps fans after the game for the team's performance in the first half, but he credited Bair as a bright spot on the night for the team.
"We're trying everything and today I think the positive of the game was Theo Bair," the manager told reporters. "It was positive to have him there, it was positive to see what he tried to bring to the team, and that's great. That's a positive sign."
Bair returned the favor in his postgame remarks, grateful to Dos Santos for a chance.
"It feels great when your coach is behind you. Obviously that's the best feeling in the world," he said.
Prior to Saturday's match, he played 44 minutes in total off the bench, most recently going 24 during the late stages of a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of LAFC last Saturday at Banc of California Stadium.
