Whitecaps FC Sign Dynamic eSports Duo to Take on Global Competition

December 16, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release

VANCOUVER, BC - Skill Shack has joined the party.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC made a splash in the gaming community on Wednesday by announcing that the club will have two official eSports athletes in 2021 - Alex "Exraa" Gonzalez on Xbox and Erfan "Skill Shack" Hosseini on PlayStation. Whitecaps FC is one of the first MLS clubs to have both a Playstation and Xbox player signed.

Download: Video, graphics, and photos of Exraa & Skill Shack

The competitive apparel for each player will feature a GamerzArena patch, the online esports tournament platform from the 'Caps official partner, Alpha Esports.

Both players will be representing the club individually and as a team in global competitions. The dynamic duo makes their team debut on Thursday, December 17 against Mexico's Paradero Gaming to begin online qualifiers for the 2021 FIFAe Club World Cup. Each team in FIFAe Club World Cup competition is represented by one PlayStation player and one Xbox player.

"We are very excited to have two of the most talented FIFA players in North America on our team this year," said Tyler Wilson, Whitecaps FC's FIFA eSports general manager. "Having both Exraa and Skill Shack signed to our club shows our commitment to making a real impact on the global stage. We're looking forward to watching them compete tomorrow and throughout 2021."

Exraa is staying put in the blue & white kit after a strong season that saw him finish fourth in the 2020 eMLS overall standings. Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, and re-signing with the 'Caps as the club's Xbox athlete, Exraa will continue to compete on the international stage, where he has excelled with top 10 finishes in the FIFA Global Series.

Skill Shack rejoined the club in November, winning the ONe tournament presented by Alpha Esports and earning a professional contract by defeating the incumbent Exraa in the final. The product of Burnaby, British Columbia will be handling PlayStation duties and representing Whitecaps FC in eMLS during the 2021 league season. Skill Shack was the 'Caps first eMLS athlete in 2018 and 2019.

In addition to the FIFAe Club World Cup, both athletes will compete as individuals in the EA Sports FIFA 21 Global Series in hopes of qualifying for the 2021 FIFA eWorld Cup and being crowned the 2021 FIFA eWorld Cup Champion.

Major League Soccer Stories from December 16, 2020

• Atlanta United Defeats Club America 1-0, Falls Short on Aggregate - Atlanta United FC
• FC Cincinnati Select Ben Mines in MLS End-Of-Year Waivers Process - MLS
• FC Cincinnati Select Winger Ben Mines in 2020 MLS End-Of-Year Waivers - FC Cincinnati
• MLS SuperDraft 2021 Presented by adidas Set for January 21 - Inter Miami CF
• MLS SuperDraft 2021 to Take Place on January 21 - San Jose Earthquakes
• Houston Dynamo FC Have Third Overall Pick in MLS SuperDraft 2021 Presented by adidas - Houston Dynamo FC
• D.C. United to Have the Fourth Pick in the Three-Round MLS SuperDraft 2021 Presented by adidas on January 21 - D.C. United
• MLS Expansion Club Austin FC Have Top Pick in Three-Round MLS SuperDraft 2021 Presented by Adidas on January 21 - MLS
• Colorado Rapids Re-Sign Brandan Gonzales for 2021 EMLS Season - Colorado Rapids
• Inter Miami CF Signs First eMLS Player Pablo Georgakopoulos for 2021 Season - Inter Miami CF
• MLS and Electronic Arts Announce 2021 eMLS - New Online Format to Feature 27 MLS Clubs, New Partners and Double the Content Hours - MLS
• Earthquakes Announce Ben Remez as Club's Official eMLS Competitor - San Jose Earthquakes
• Colorado Rapids Sign Defender Auston Trusty to New Contract - Colorado Rapids
• Whitecaps FC Sign Dynamic eSports Duo to Take on Global Competition - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• The Pizzuti Companies and Haslam Sports Group Announce Conceptual Plans for Mixed-Use Development - Columbus Crew SC
• Alan Avila Returns to FC Dallas as Club's Official eMLS Athlete - FC Dallas
• Austin FC Adds Four in MLS Expansion Draft - Austin FC

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Vancouver Whitecaps FC Stories

• 'Caps get over 40 MLS points in fewest games in club history
• Colorado Rapids Blank Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 3-0
• 'Caps to face Forge FC in the semifinals
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC Blanked by Los Angeles Galaxy
• Kreilach's final match as a member of Whitecaps FC tonight