Vancouver Whitecaps Update on Defender Tristan Blackmon’s Status

Axel Schuster, the sporting director for the Vancouver Whitecaps, announced that defender Tristan Blackmon successfully completed his entrance medical on Thursday and will be heading to the team’s preseason training camp in Marbella, Spain.

This announcement follows a report from ESPN indicating that Blackmon, the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, did not attend a scheduled physical on Wednesday. This incident occurred shortly after the Whitecaps declined a cash offer of $3 million from Inter Miami CF, made just over a week ago. Schuster refuted claims that a deal was nearing completion and confirmed that the club is in the process of negotiating a new contract for Blackmon.

“I’m curious about the significant attention surrounding [Blackmon],” Schuster remarked to reporters on Thursday. “We conducted medical evaluations yesterday and today. [Blackmon] is here and has either completed his medical or is currently undergoing it. He arrived early this morning, and we will be flying to Spain tomorrow. That is all I can share regarding this matter.”

In a conversation with ESPN, Schuster acknowledged that he was unaware of the specific schedule for players undergoing medical evaluations and could not confirm whether Blackmon indeed missed his physical on Wednesday. When asked if Blackmon faced any repercussions for missing the appointment, Schuster replied, “I cannot confirm anything regarding yesterday, as players often miss appointments throughout the season, and these occurrences are not always reported.”

Schuster stated that discussions for Blackmon’s new contract had commenced, but cautioned that the negotiations are not progressing swiftly enough to expect a resolution within the next week or two. “Right now, we also need to focus on the players we want to bring in and those we aim to include in preseason as new additions.”

Currently, Blackmon’s contract extends through the end of the 2027 season. Schuster also mentioned that Miami’s interest in Blackmon is simply part of standard business practices, particularly during this season, and he expressed no desire for a tampering investigation.

“Since then, I have had two calls with Miami yesterday, and there is nothing between our clubs,” he explained to reporters. “They respect our position, which is fair. I want to clarify that this interest in one player is normal, and I am transparent in sharing that this has occurred. We have experienced similar situations with six players; there are several others on our team currently preparing and reporting.”

Last season, Blackmon was a pivotal figure in the Vancouver backline, contributing significantly to the Whitecaps’ journey to the finals of both the Concacaf Champions League and the MLS Cup. According to the MLS Players Association, Blackmon earned $800,000 in guaranteed compensation last season, placing him 37th among MLS center-backs.

Since joining the Whitecaps in 2022 after a four-season tenure with LAFC, Blackmon’s career has flourished. In addition to being named Defender of the Year in 2025, he was selected as an MLS All-Star and earned his first two caps with the U.S. men’s national team last September.