Joe Hanson (soccer)

Joe Hanson

Personal information
Full name	Joseph Hanson
Date of birth	(2003-08-10) August 10, 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Valour FC
Number	16
Youth career
	Total Soccer Excellence Academy
0000–2019	Yukon Selects FC
2014–2016	→ Crossfire Premier
2019	Vancouver Island Wave
2019–2022	Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2023	Whitecaps FC 2	37	(3)
2024–	Valour FC	10	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 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. ^[5] 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

As of match played October 19, 2024 ^[24]

Club	Season	League			Playoffs		Domestic Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Whitecaps FC 2	2022	MLS Next Pro	17	3	–		–		–		17	3
	2023		20	0	–		–		–		20	0
	Total		37	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	37	3
Valour FC	2024	Canadian Premier League	10	0	–		1	0	–		11	0
Career total			47	3	0	0	1	0	0	0	48	3

References

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