Joe Bendik signs with Vancouver Whitecaps

“We were looking to add a goalkeeper with MLS experience to our group and Joe fit the profile we wanted,” Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director said in a news release. “Having been in this league for 12 years, Joe brings various experiences from different clubs and will bring competition to our goalkeeper group. We are pleased to welcome Joe and his family to Vancouver.”

A 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner with the Union, Bendik made 14 of his 189 career appearances while with the Union after being acquired via a mid-season trade in 2019 with the Columbus Crew. He also made one appearance for Union II.

“Vancouver is always a city that teams around the league look forward to visiting during the season, it’s such a beautiful city,” Bendik said in a news release, “I’m just excited to get started and build off of the positives the team achieved last year.”

The 34-year-old who grew up in Georgia and played at Clemson University has also played for Columbus Crew, Orlando City SC, Toronto FC, and Portland Timbers during his time in the league.

The Union will not play Vancouver during the regular season.