Joe Hanson (soccer) explained

Joe Hanson
Fullname:Joseph Hanson
Birth Date:10 August 2003
Birth Place:Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Valour FC
Clubnumber:16
Youthclubs1:Total Soccer Excellence Academy
Youthyears2:–2019
Youthclubs2:Yukon Selects FC
Youthyears3:2014–2016
Youthclubs3:Crossfire Premier
Youthyears4:2019
Youthclubs4:Vancouver Island Wave
Youthyears5:2019–2022
Youthclubs5:Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Years1:2022–2023
Caps1:37
Goals1:3
Years2:2024–
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Club-Update:May 10, 2024

Joseph Hanson (born August 10, 2003) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League. Hanson is notably the first player from the Yukon to ever sign and play professional soccer.

Early life

Hanson was born in Whitehorse, Yukon to an American father and a Canadian mother.[1] He began playing youth soccer at age five with the Total Soccer Excellence Academy, which was run by his father.[2] [3] He later joined Yukon Selects FC.[4] Soon after, he had an opportunity to be a guest player from an Alaskan team, before joining Washington state club Crossfire Premier for tournament matches (but not league matches) between 2014 and 2016, where he won Washington State championships with the team at U10, U11, and U12 levels, while still also playing with the Yukon Selects.[5] [6] [7] In 2018, he played at the Canada Soccer National U15 Championships, helping the Selects to a 7th place finish, which was the highest finish for a club from the Yukon. In May 2019, he joined the Vancouver Island Wave, winning the British Columbia title with them that summer.[8] He then joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2019, becoming the first player from the Yukon to join the Whitecaps academy.[9] [10] In May 2021, he began playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps U23 team.[11] [12]

Club career

In March 2022, he signed a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro, becoming the first player from the Yukon to sign a professional soccer contract.[13] [14] He made his debut in the team's debut match on March 26, 2022, coming on as a substitute against Houston Dynamo 2.[15] On April 24, 2022, he scored his first goal against Sporting Kansas City II.[16] [17] He departed the club after the 2023 season, upon the expiry of his contract, having made 37 appearances for the club.[18]

In April 2024, he signed with Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League.[19] [20] He made his debut on April 14 against Vancouver FC, becoming the first player from the Yukon to play in the Canadian Premier League.[21]

Personal life

During off periods from his professional career, he would return to his hometown in the Yukon to host youth soccer camps.[22] With his status as the first player from the Yukon, he has been nicknamed 'Yukon Joe' by his teammates.[23]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Whitecaps FC 22022MLS Next Pro173173
2023200200
Total373000000373
Valour FC2024Canadian Premier League401050
Career total413001000423

Notes and References

  1. Web site: George. Maratos. CBC News. From Whitehorse to Whitecaps: Yukon soccer player set to suit up for first pro game in Canada. April 10, 2022.
  2. Web site: Yukon’s first pro soccer player, Joe Hanson, ready for MLS NEXT Pro debut. Ernesto. Campo. March 21, 2022. BVM Sports.
  3. Web site: From Whitehorse to the Whitecaps. John. Hopkins-Hill. September 19, 2020. Yukon News.
  4. Web site: WFC2 add five teenagers from Whitecaps FC BMO Academy. March 16, 2022. Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  5. Web site: Whitecaps FC 2 are back – Get to know the new squad (Part Four). March 25, 2022. Michael. McColl. Away from the Numbers.
  6. Web site: Whitehorse soccer player helps U.S. team take state title. July 22, 2016. Yukon News. Tom. Patrick.
  7. Web site: Yukon soccer prodigies advance careers with Whitecaps. August 9, 2021. Whitehorse Star. Morris. Prokop.
  8. Web site: Yukoners win gold with Vancouver Island Wave at B.C. Soccer Premier Cup. July 4, 2019. Yukon News. John. Hopkins-Hill.
  9. Web site: Joe Hanson Whitecaps profile. Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  10. Web site: Hanson, Bringsli will continue and begin their Vancouver Whitecaps careers. August 8, 2021. Yukon News. John. Tonin.
  11. Web site: Joe Hanson signs pro contract with MLS Next Pro. March 7, 2022. Sport Yukon.
  12. Web site: Hanson becomes first northerner to sign MLS contract. March 11, 2022. Yukon News. Stephanie. Waddell.
  13. Web site: Yukon soccer phenom signs pro contract with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 team. March 8, 2022. CBC News.
  14. Web site: Whitehorse’s Joe Hanson first Yukoner to sign pro soccer contract. March 14, 2022. Morris. Prokop. Whitehorse Star.
  15. Web site: WFC2 open inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season with narrow 1-0 loss against Houston Dynamo 2. March 26, 2022. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Maxim. Fossey.
  16. Web site: WFC2 capture second straight win with thrilling 4-1 victory over Sporting KC II at Swangard Stadium. April 24, 2022. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Maxim. Fossey.
  17. Web site: Valour FC’s Joe Hanson becomes first Yukon-born player to sign with CPL club. April 8, 2024. Canadian Premier League. Mitchell. Tierney.
  18. Web site: Joe Hanson: “But what set me apart is I wanted to play, and I knew at that age playing professionally was all I wanted to do and so I accepted it.”. April 8, 2024. Valour FC. Ed. Tait.
  19. Web site: Valour FC announces signing of Canadian forward Joe Hanson. April 8, 2024. Valour FC.
  20. Web site: Yukon Native Joe Hanson Heads ‘Down South’ To Winnipeg. April 8, 2024. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  21. Web site: Match Analysis: Vancouver FC soar past Valour FC with second half scoring outburst. April 15, 2024. Canadian Premier League. Benedict. Rhodes.
  22. Web site: Joe Hanson and his pals hold Yukon soccer camp. July 27, 2023. Morris. Prokop. Whitehorse Star.
  23. Web site: Valour’s ‘Yukon Joe’ travels unusual path to CPL. Taylor. Allen. April 11, 2024. Winnipeg Free Press.