Ralph Priso
{{Short description|Canadian soccer player (born 2002)}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Ralph Priso
|image = File:Ralph Priso (cropped).jpg
|image_size = 100px
|fullname = Ralph-William Johnson Priso-Mbongue
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|08|02}}
|birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|height = 1.75 m
|position = Midfielder
|currentclub = Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|clubnumber = 13
|youthyears1 = 2006–2013
|youthclubs1 = Clairlea-Westview SC
|youthyears2 = 2014–2016
|youthclubs2 = North Toronto Nitros
|youthyears3 = 2017–2019
|youthclubs3 = Toronto FC
|years1 = 2018 |clubs1 = Toronto FC III |caps1 = 6 |goals1 = 1
|years2 = 2019 |clubs2 = Toronto FC II |caps2 = 5 |goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2020–2022 |clubs3 = Toronto FC |caps3 = 25 |goals3 = 2
|years4 = 2021–2022 |clubs4 = → Toronto FC II (loan) |caps4 = 4 |goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2022–2024 |clubs5 = Colorado Rapids |caps5 = 32 |goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2022–2023 |clubs6 = → Colorado Rapids 2 (loan) |caps6 = 4 |goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2024– |clubs7 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC |caps7 = 30 |goals7 = 0
|years8 = 2024– |clubs8 = → Whitecaps FC 2 (loan) |caps8 = 2 |goals8 = 0
|nationalyears1 = 2017
|nationalteam1 = Canada U15
|nationalcaps1 = 4
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|nationalyears2 = 2019
|nationalteam2 = Canada U17
|nationalcaps2 = 6
|nationalgoals2 = 0
|club-update = June 29, 2025
|nationalteam-update = December 15, 2019
}}
Ralph-William Johnson Priso-Mbongue (born August 2, 2002) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Early career
He began playing soccer at the age of four with Clairlea-Westview SC,{{cite web|url=http://ssasoccer.net/2017/06/ralph-priso-mbongue/|title=Ralph Priso-Mbongue|work=Scarborough Soccer Association|date=28 June 2017}} before moving to the North Toronto Nitros when he was eleven.{{cite web|url=https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/|work=101 Great Goals|title=Exclusive interview: Toronto FC starlet Ralph Priso opens up about developing during the rise of North American soccer|date=January 27, 2021|first=Tom|last=Canton}} In 2016, he was invited to Adidas's Elite Soccer Program.{{cite web|url=https://l-express.ca/ralph-priso-mbongue-le-nouvel-espoir-franco-torontois-du-football/|title=Ralph Priso Mbongue, le nouvel espoir franco-torontois du foot|trans-title=Ralph Priso Mbongue, the new Franco-Torontonian football hope|first=Lina|last=Fourneau|date=April 4, 2018|work=L'Express}} He tried out for the Toronto FC Academy at ages 11, 12, and 13, failing to make the program,{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1741575/ralph-priso-mbongue-toronto-fc-canada-soccer|title=Un Franco-Torontois signe un premier contrat professionnel avec le Toronto FC|trans-title=Franco-Torontonian signs first professional contract with Toronto FC|language=fr|date=October 17, 2020|first=Raphaël|last=Guillemette|work=Ici Radio-Canada Télé}} before finally being accepted in 2017, at age 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/10/14/toronto-fc-sign-canada-youth-international-ralph-priso-homegrown-deal|title=Toronto FC sign Canada youth international Ralph Priso to Homegrown deal|date=October 14, 2020|first=Tom|last=Bogert|work=Major League Soccer}}
Club career
= Early career =
In 2018, he played with Toronto FC III in the semi-professional League1 Ontario, making six appearances. He scored his first goal against Darby FC on July 17, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/935782|title=Second-Half Abdi Double Gets TFC III 5-2 Win Away At Darby|first=Laura|last=Walker|date=July 20, 2018|work=League1 Ontario}} On March 5, 2019, he signed his first professional contract, joining Toronto FC II in USL League One.{{cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2019/03/05/toronto-fc-ii-signs-luke-singh-and-ralph-priso|title=Toronto FC II signs Luke Singh and Ralph Priso|date=March 5, 2019|work=Toronto FC}} His debut professional appearance came when he started against the Richmond Kickers on August 17, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/10/14/toronto-fc-sign-ralph-priso|title=Toronto FC Sign Ralph Priso|date=October 14, 2020|work=Toronto FC}}
= Toronto FC =
On October 14, 2020, he signed with first team Toronto FC, becoming the 25th player to sign as a Homegrown Player from the TFC Academy.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/tfc-signs-mf-ralph-priso-as-homegrown-player-1.1538775|title=TFC signs MF Priso as Homegrown Player|date=October 14, 2020|work=TSN}} He made his debut on October 24, coming on as a substitute for Nick DeLeon against the Philadelphia Union.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-fc-thrashed-by-philadelphia-union-1.1543310|title=Toronto FC thrashed by Union|date=October 24, 2020|work=TSN}} He was loaned to the second team for some matches in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2021/06/09/toronto-fc-loan-three-players-toronto-fc-ii|title=Toronto FC loan three players to Toronto FC II|date=June 9, 2021|work=Toronto FC}} On July 21, 2021, he scored his first goal for Toronto FC in a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/ralph-priso-toronto-fc-draw-new-york-red-bulls-bmo-field-1.1671081|title=Teenage substitute Priso scores to give TFC tie with Red Bulls|date=July 21, 2021|work=TSN|first=Neil|last=Davidson}} On August 19, Toronto FC announced Priso would undergo season-ending ankle surgery after suffering an injury on August 14 against the New England Revolution.{{cite web|url=https://www.wakingthered.com/2021/8/19/22632882/ralph-priso-will-undergo-surgery-expected-to-miss-remainder-of-season|first=Michael|last=Signh|date=August 19, 2021|title=Ralph Priso will undergo surgery; expected to miss remainder of season}}
= Colorado Rapids =
In July 2022, Priso was traded from Toronto FC to fellow MLS club Colorado Rapids for Mark-Anthony Kaye. Colorado would also receive $1.025 million in General Allocation Money, and an international roster slot in the trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/colorado-rapids-acquire-midfielder-ralph-priso-from-toronto-fc-in-exchange-for-m|title=Colorado Rapids Acquire Midfielder Ralph Priso from Toronto FC in Exchange for Mark-Anthony Kaye|website=Colorado Rapids|date=July 8, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/ralph-priso-primed-to-make-an-impact-as-young-addition-to-rapids-squad|title=Ralph Priso primed to make an impact as young addition to Rapids squad|date=July 8, 2022|work=Colorado Rapids}} He made his debut on July 17, against the LA Galaxy.{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/growing-into-the-game-ralph-priso-positioned-to-become-influential-asset-to-rapi|title=Growing into the Game: Ralph Priso positioned to become influential asset to Rapids' play|first=Richard|last=Fleming|date=August 30, 2022|work=Colorado Rapids}}
=Vancouver Whitecaps=
In March 2024, Priso was traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for 1st and 3rd round MLS SuperDraft picks and up to $150,000 in General Allocation Money.{{cite web|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/vancouver-whitecaps-acquire-ralph-priso-from-colorado-rapids|title=Vancouver Whitecaps acquire Canadian midfielder Ralph Priso from Colorado Rapids|date=March 12, 2024|work=The Province}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/vwfc-acquire-priso|title=Whitecaps FC acquire Canadian midfielder Ralph Priso from Colorado Rapids|date=March 11, 2024|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}} He made his debut for the club on April 6 against his former club, Toronto FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/caps-move-into-first-in-the-west|title='Caps move into first in the West!|first=Felipe|last=Vallejo|date=April 6, 2024|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}} In December 2024, Priso signed a new contract with the Whitecaps for the 2025 season, with club options for 2026 and 2027.{{citeweb|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/vwfc-re-sign-priso|title=Whitecaps FC re-sign midfielder Ralph Priso to new contract|website=Vancouver Whitecaps|date=December 11, 2024}}
International career
In 2016, at age 13, he made his debut in the Canadian youth program at an identification camp with coach Ante Jazic. He represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship, serving as team captain. He played for the Canadian U17 team at the 2019 CONCACAF U-17 Championship{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/04/24/canada-u-17-squad-released-packed-18-mls-academy-players|title=Canada U-17 squad released, packed with 18 MLS academy players|date=April 24, 2019|first=Tom|last=Bogert|work=Major League Soccer}} and the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wakingthered.com/2020/10/14/21516343/toronto-fc-sign-homegrown-midfielder-ralph-priso-to-a-first-team-contract|title=Toronto FC sign Homegrown midfielder Ralph Priso to a first-team contract|first=Michael|last=Singh|date=October 14, 2020|work=Waking The Red}} He was called to the Canada national team camp for January 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-soccer-ayo-akinola-national-team-camp-1.5853734|title=TFC's Ayo Akinola accepts invite to Canadian national team camp|date=December 23, 2020|first=Neil|last=Davidson|work=CBC}}
Personal life
Priso is of Cameroonian descent through his parents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wakingthered.com/2021/4/7/22353074/exclusive-out-of-the-shadows-and-into-the-spotlight-the-emergence-of-ralph-priso-toronto-fc|title=Exclusive | Out of the shadows and into the spotlight: The emergence of Ralph Priso|first=Michael|last=Singh|date=April 7, 2021|website=Waking The Red}}{{Canada Soccer player|id=5974}} He is the older brother of fellow professional soccer player Hugo Mbongue.{{cite web|url=https://franchementfamille.ca/articles-franchementfamille/?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=1928&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=1cdd20780c4aaa5abe1dcc12db117194|first=Anaïs|last=Latulippe|title=De Viamonde au Toronto FC!|date=October 27, 2020|trans-title=From Viamonde to Toronto FC!|language=fr|work=Franchement Famille}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played June 29, 2025}}{{Soccerway|ralph-priso-mbongue/497224|access-date=15 December 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto FC III
|2018{{cite web |url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/24578273?subseason=490480 |title=2018 Statistics |accessdate=23 September 2018 |publisher=League 1 Ontario}} |6 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 1 | ||||
| Toronto FC II
|2019 |5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="4"|Toronto FC
|2020 |rowspan="3"|MLS |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2021
|11 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |||
| 2022
|10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|Includes appearance in 2020 Canadian Championship final (played in 2022)}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 2 | |
| rowspan="3"|Toronto FC II (loan)
|2021 |USL League One |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||||
| 2022
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4"|Colorado Rapids
|2022 |rowspan="3"|MLS |6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | |||||
| 2023
|26 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 0 | |||
| 2024
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Colorado Rapids 2 (loan)
|2022 |rowspan="2"|MLS Next Pro |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||||
| 2023
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|2024 |rowspan="2"|MLS |14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2025
|16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| Whitecaps FC 2 (loan)
|2024 |MLS Next Pro |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!108 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 137 | 3 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Toronto FC
- Canadian Championship: 2020{{cite news|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/at-last-toronto-fc-capture-2020-canadian-championship-with-win-over-forge-fc|title=At last, Toronto FC capture 2020 Canadian Championship over Forge FC|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=June 4, 2022|access-date=June 4, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|ralph-priso-mbongue/497224}}
- {{Canada Soccer player|5974}}
{{Vancouver Whitecaps FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Priso, Ralph}}
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canada men's youth international soccer players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Soccer players from Toronto
Category:Toronto FC II players
Category:USL League One players
Category:Black Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canadian people of Cameroonian descent
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:North Toronto Nitros players
Category:Colorado Rapids players
Category:Colorado Rapids 2 players
Category:Toronto FC Academy players
Category:Vancouver Whitecaps FC players