A brutal blow for both the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Men's National Team.
The newly capped CanMNT defender is set to miss the next eight to ten weeks with a hamstring strain in his left leg.
The 23-year-old has had an impressive spell of form with the Whitecaps dating back to the twilight of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign, and was likely in Jesse Marsch's plans for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but his meteoric rise has been halted with this injury.
Priso went down in the 25th minute in Canada's 0-0 draw against Tunisia, with the midfielder-turned-defender immediately signalling to the bench after pulling his hamstring on a successful sliding challenge. After some treatment, he was substituted out for Portland's Kamal Miller.
Oh no😬 😥
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) April 1, 2026
After a bright start to the game, #VWFC star Ralph Priso, who was making his 1st #CanMNT start, is out of this game with a hamstring issue
The injury woes continue for Canada at centre back pic.twitter.com/PbELExfpuE
For the Whitecaps, this is a major blow. Tristan Blackmon and Sebastian Schonlau are Vancouver's only fit natural centre-backs, with the latter having played just 25 minutes this season, coming off the bench in the 6-0 rout over Minnesota United on his debut. While Ranko Veselinović is nearing a return from his ACL injury, he will not be ready to start immediately. Mathías Laborda has been filling in alongside Blackmon, but the Uruguayan has looked shaky in that role. Belal Halbouni was initially expected to be available by now, but a setback has further delayed his return. The Whitecaps could potentially recall Belgian centre-back Joedrick Pupe from his loan at Sint-Truiden, though he has yet to make a single appearance for the club despite being named on the bench nine times.
For the Canadian Men's National Team, it is another significant injury setback in a position already stretched thin. Moïse Bombito, Alfie Jones, and Luc de Fougerolles are all sidelined, while Derek Cornelius has been frozen out at Rangers despite making two successful substitute appearances for Canada, with his only realistic path back into the squad coming through an injury to a player in his position. Kamal Miller and Joel Waterman remain the only centre-backs starting consistently at club level, but both have faced heavy scrutiny for their form with club and country alike.
The Vancouver Whitecaps return to action on Saturday, hosting New York City FC at BC Place, with kickoff set for 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET.
The Canadian Men's National Team, meanwhile, are back in Edmonton on June 1, hosting Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm MT / 9:00 pm ET. The World Cup begins in 66 days.
