Vancouver FC is a club devoted to development and providing opportunities. A major way they have demonstrated that commitment is through the composition of the club’s roster which features a significant number of young and local talent. That number is continuing to grow with the signings of U SPORT players Thomas Powell and Sebastian Dzikowski to their 2024 squad.

“We are very excited to offer U SPORT contracts for the second year in a row,” said VFC’s head coach Afshin Ghotbi.

Both players join the Langley-based club on a Canadian Premier League (CPL)-U SPORTS contract which gives these developing players an opportunity to gain valuable professional experience without having to forfeit their U SPORTS eligibility.

“These types of opportunities are important stepping stones in the development of Canada’s soccer landscape,” said Ghotbi. “We are very proud to provide these players with professional experience this season.”

Powell, 22, originally joined Vancouver for pre-season training after being selected by the club in the second round of the CPL- U SPORTS Draft in December 2023 as the 15th overall pick out of Trinity Western University (TWU). The native of Coquitlam, B.C., completed three seasons as a Spartan scoring a total of 10 goals and logging nine assists in 44 appearances.

“After three years at TWU, I am very excited to sign a professional contract with my hometown team,” said Powell. 

The midfielder also competed in League1 BC for Unity FC in 2023 and is one of several current VFC players to have risen through the development ranks at Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club, including Kadin Chung, Anthony White, and David Norman.

As a local talent, Powell becomes the eleventh B.C.-born player signed to Vancouver’s squad this season, as the club continues to make good on its commitment to provide professional opportunities for local talent. The U SPORTS midfielder joins goalkeeper Callum Irving, defenders Chung, White, James Cameron, Paris Gee and Norman, midfielders Ben Fisk, Grady McDonnell and Zach Verhoven, and forward Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid as hometown athletes.

“I am looking forward to developing my skills in this professional environment and committed to doing what I can both on and off the field to help the club,” said Powell.

Dzikowski, 22, was not selected in this year’s draft but made himself eligible for a contract by virtue of declaring for the draft proceedings. The native of Calgary, Alta., has been a University of British Columbia Thunderbird since 2019 and is coming off a record-setting season in 2023. Dzikowski scored 15 goals in Canada West (CW) regular season competition which broke UBC’s previous single-season record for most regular season goals set by Craig Chiasson in 1994. His scoring ways translated into finding the back of the net at least once in ten of UBC’s 16 regular season matches and he also set a new single-season conference record for shots on target with 43.

“I am thrilled to be joining Vancouver FC for my first professional contract,” said Dzikowski. “I believe something very special is being built here and I can’t wait to develop my skills and contribute to the team.”

Dzikowski tallied four goals in UBC’s post-season matches this past year and helped the Thunderbirds to win a bronze medal at the U SPORTS national championship. The attacking forward’s performance in 2023 earned Dzikowski individual hardware including CW’s Men’s Soccer Player of the Year award and the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy which recognizes the U SPORTS Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.

“I am very excited to see how much I can grow as a footballer in this extraordinary environment,” said Dzikowski.

In his youth, Dzikowski represented Cavalry Villains before playing for Cavalry FC’s U-20 team.

Powell and Dzikowski become the sixth and seventh domestic U-21 players to represent Vancouver for the 2024 season and will help the club achieve its league-mandated 2,000 minutes played by domestic under-21 players. He joins defenders Tyler Crawford, White, and Cameron; midfielder McDonnell; and forward Tahid on the growing list of eligible players.

Vancouver FC fans can watch these developing talents all season long starting on Sunday, April 14 when VFC hosts its home opener against Valour FC. Kick off for the season opener is at 4 p.m. PT and tickets to that match can be purchased here.