From Dundee to Vancouver via Lisbon: Ryan Gauld’s long road to MLS success

Nearly 10 years on from his professional debut, and more than 4,000 miles from home, the man once labelled the “Scottish Messi” and who drew interest as a teen from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool has at last, in Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps, found a home at which he can deliver on his vast potential.

Now 26, Ryan Gauld has come a long way in his career – both in terms of distance covered and experiences logged – as he gets ready for the start of the new MLS season, which starts on Saturday. He was once the 17-year-old star of a vibrant young Dundee United side, before a seven-year stint in Portugal brought mixed fortunes.

He left Portugal as a free agent last summer and received no shortage of offers, with big hitters from Scotland and England showing interest after a reputation-rescuing final two years in Portuguese football.

“I’ve never been one to make my decisions based on money,” Gauld told the assembled media of his move to Canada. “There is more to a career and more to life than money. The Whitecaps were the first club to reach out to me and make it known how much I was wanted, what they thought I could bring to the club.”

Gauld may be overplaying the poverty of a career in MLS a little – his deal last season was worth around $2m. But his decision to eschew proposals from closer to home in favour of North America has been vindicated on the field. With four goals – the last of which came as Vancouver clinched a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season – and five assists to his name last term, he was one of the league’s best performers after his arrival.

And it comes as little surprise to those who’ve worked with Gauld that he has once again proven willing to trot