Whitecaps Will Not Bring Back Carlyle Mitchell

The Vancouver Whitecaps confirmed today they're parting ways with Bryce Alderson, but they've also announced that Center Back Carlyle Mitchell will not be brought back for 2015. The 27 year old is out of contract. Mitchell was an interesting case, a player that certainly had his ups and downs in a Whitecaps kit. He joined the club in 2011, but was mostly a bench player for his first two seasons in Vancouver.

In March of 2013, he was loaned out to FC Edmonton, but would be re-called in June because of some major injury problems on the Whitecaps backline. Once he returned, Mitchell was a pleasant surprise, providing some stable play as well as proving that he had some skill in the air. He would play in 15 matches, starting 13 of them.

It would not be the same story in 2014, when Mitchell was pushed down the depth chart and limited to just 8 matches. He would also be responsible for arguably the biggest blooper of the Whitecaps 2014 campaign, possibly in team history.

In any case, we here at Eighty Six Forever would like to thank Carlyle for the work he put in during his tenure here, and wish him all the best.

The Whitecaps official press release is below:

Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that the club have parted ways with midfielder Bryce Alderson and centre back Carlyle Mitchell.

Whitecaps FC declined the 2015 contract option on Alderson, while Mitchell is out of contract. The club and both players were unable to come to terms on new agreements.

Alderson will be available for selection in the Major League Soccer Waiver Draft on December 10. Should Alderson clear waivers, Vancouver will maintain right of first refusal in MLS. Should Mitchell choose to continue his career within MLS, Vancouver will have the right of first refusal.

"We are thankful to Bryce and Carlyle for their contributions to the club both on and off the pitch. We wish both of them all the best," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson.

Alderson, 20, joined Whitecaps FC in September 2010 as a member of the club's Residency program. The native of Kitchener, Ontario, was added to the club's MLS roster in November 2011. This past season, Alderson started both semifinal legs of the Amway Canadian Championship. During his time with the club, the central midfielder also saw time with the club's U-18, USL PDL, and MLS Reserve sides.

Mitchell, 27, arrived in Vancouver in September 2011 from Trinidad & Tobago side Joe Public FC. During his four seasons with Whitecaps FC, the native of Arima, Trinidad, made 28 MLS regular season appearances, as well as four starts in the Amway Canadian Championship.