Whitecaps sign Spencer Richey and Kyle Greig.

The Vancouver Whitecaps signed WFC2 regular starters, Kyle Greig and Spencer Richey to MLS contracts on Monday.

Richey joins the ‘Caps goaltending corps behind David Ousted and Paolo Tornaghi in a roster position recently made available by the mutually agreed upon release of Marco Carducci last week as the Canadian goaltender searches more playing time. Richey started 17 times for WFC2 last season and won a team high eight wins including all three playoff matches. His strong play in goal elevated him above Carducci for playing time and resulted in his selection for both of his CCL winning starts. Richey joined the ‘Caps organization as a 2015 super-draft pick out of University of Washington and immediately made an impact with his strong play. This is a deserved contract for a young goaltender that continues to bolt up the ranks of the Whitecaps organization. The patriot in me would like to see Carducci battle with Tornaghi for the backup role, but you can’t argue that consistent playing time in an organization that has more immediate need of him is better for the Canadian’s development right now. Robbo has said he will keep the door open for Carducci in the future. In the meantime, Richey has proven to be a talented goaltender and I feel is ready to push for a spot behind Ousted.

Kyle Greig also joins the team from the WFC2 side where he captained the team to a Western Conference final. In four years with the USL he has scored 35 goals in 106 USL games that also included seasons in Wilmington and Oklahoma City. Last season he played in the Crystal Palace friendly and appeared in three CCL games for the Whitecaps’ first team. Greig joins Hurtado and Kudo as he fills a striker position vacated by the departures of Perez and Rivero. He provides some depth to the forward position but most certainly does not answer the team’s most burning question, who is going to regularly score goals for this team?

I wish them both well in their new opportunities with the first team. They will likely both continue to see time with WFC2, but will surely continue to get their kicks at the MLS can.