The uncertainty surrounding Tristan Blackmon has been put to bed.
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced a contract extension for the United States centre-back on Wednesday. The new deal takes the 29-year-old Las Vegas native through the 2029-2030 season.
Speculation about the reigning MLS Defender of the Year’s future with the team swirled in the offseason with MLS Cup champions Inter Miami pursuing the player with the Whitecaps rejected offers for him.
“Since the day he arrived, Tristan has consistently pushed himself and grown into one of the league’s top defenders,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a statement. “He has delivered countless memorable moments for our club, and we are excited to extend his contract and continue building together here in Vancouver.”
A product of Pacific, Blackmon was the third overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft in 2018 by Los Angeles FC. After four seasons with LAFC, he joined the Whitecaps in 2022, acquired from Charlotte FC, who had taken him in the Expansion Draft. Now in his fifth season with the club, Blackmon has appeared in 109 MLS appearances and 143 across all competitions.
Internationally, Blackmon has been capped twice by the USMNT since his senior debut last year.
Winners over Real Salt Lake last Saturday, 1-0 in their season opener, the Whitecaps return to league play on Saturday with a visit from Toronto FC.
