PROFILE
Hailing from Burnaby, BC, Michael Baldisimo joined Whitecaps FC Residency in September 2011 after representing Western Canada at the youth level. He signed his first professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 in the USL in March 2017, then moved up to the first team in July 2018. Baldisimo was named the 2018 WFC Most Promising Player after helping the U-19s to a semifinal finish in the 2018 Academy Championship.
WHITECAPS FC
'21: Following a productive 2020, Baldisimo tallied career highs in starts (12), appearances (21) and minutes (1254) in 2021. He also finished the season as one of the most pin-point passers on the team with 86.2% passing accuracy. Baldisimo’s longest spell in the starting lineup came in July, as he started four consecutive matches to help the ‘Caps post a 1W-0L-3D record.
'20: Baldisimo enjoyed a breakout season in 2020, making seven starts and 13 appearances. Per 90 minutes, he ended up leading the squad in successful passes, while landing second and third respectively in touches and passes into the final third. He scored a goal and tallied three assists in a four-game stretch, playing an instrumental role as the 'Caps went 3W-1L. The best came in the September 5 match versus Toronto FC, when he banged from a distance of 24.9 yards. With his account-opening golazo in just his second career appearance, Baldisimo became the fastest VWFC Homegrown player to score a goal. Each of his three assists was a second assist, and only two players had more than Baldisimo since he made his debut in the MLS Continuation of Play following the MLS is Back Tournament.
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD & DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
'19: Baldisimo made eight starts in 10 appearances for the WFC Academy U-19 side, before suffering a left ankle injury during the January first-team training camp that sidelined him through May. He worked his way back to make one start and appearance for the WFC Development Squad in the SK Summer Soccer Series. '17-'18: Baldisimo helped lead WFC Residency U-19 team to the Academy Championship semifinals, scoring four goals in 27 appearances including playoffs in the 2017-18 season. '16-'17: While representing the U-16 team, Baldisimo started and appeared in six matches, scoring two goals. He also started three playoff matches. With the U-18 team, Baldisimo started 15 of his 16 appearances. He also started in their three playoff matches, scoring one goal. '15-'16: Baldisimo split his time between Whitecaps FC Residency U-18 and U-16 teams. He started 12 of his 14 regular season appearances for the U-18 side, then added another five starts in six matches in the playoffs. With U-16, Baldisimo started all 13 of his appearances, scoring six goals.
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
'17: Baldisimo saw increased time in his second USL season notching 12 appearances, including six starts. '16: Baldisimo made his professional debut when he was called up to Whitecaps FC 2 for their August 3 match at Arizona United SC, coming on as a late substitute.
INTERNATIONAL
'21: Baldisimo was a member of the Canada U-23 team at the Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers in March 2021. '18: Baldisimo was called up to the Canada U-21 national team for the Festival International Espoirs Provence in France in May 2018. He also made three starts at the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship, recording an assist in the 4-0 victory over Dominica. '17: Baldisimo was invited to the U-17 evaluation camp in April, ultimately resulting in a start against Costa Rica in the CONCACAF U-17 Championship. '16: Baldisimo participated in national U-17 team activities four times in the year - the February evaluation camp in Burnaby, the April training camp in the United States, the September series versus Mexico and host Panama, and the October evaluation camp in Vaughan. '15: Baldisimo was a member of the Canadian side in the Torneo Internacional Sub-15 in Mexico in August, then was invited to the U-18 development camp in October. '14: Baldisimo received his first national team invite, participating in the U-15 identification camp in October.
YOUTH
Baldisimo played his entire youth career in his hometown of Burnaby, BC. He developed with Wesburn Youth Soccer Club, South Burnaby Metro Club, Mountain United FC, and Burnaby Metro Selects Soccer Club. Baldisimo also represented Western Canada at the U-12 level in the 2011 Danone Nations Cup.
PERSONAL
Baldisimo names his brother, Mark, who is also a fellow Whitecaps FC Residency player, as the most influential person in his soccer development because he has trained Michael since the age of five. Michael and older brother Matthew played on Whitecaps FC 2 together.
