Princeton men’s soccer standout Daniel Ittycheria is headed to the professional ranks. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced that they have signed the Livingston native to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2026. The 22-year-old will join Whitecaps FC 2. The Pingry School product was the star man up fro nt for the Tigers during their historic Ivy League-winning campaign. He scored a team-leading nine goals and added three assists in 16 games. In four seasons on Old Nassau, Ittycheria scored 28 goals over 64 appearances. His 28 goals rank ninth in program history. He was selected in the second round (40th overall) by D.C. United in last year’s MLS Draft but opted to return to Princeton for his senior campaign. It proved to be one of the best seasons in program history. The Tigers went 15-2-2 and won the Ivy League double as regular season and tournament champion. They earned the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament but fell to Duke, 2-1, in heartbreaking second-round loss in which Ittycheria was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card. Launched in 2022, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro pathway from MLS NEXT to first teams. Three Whitecaps FC 2 graduates appeared for the MLS club in the 2025 playoffs in which it reached MLS Cup. Additionally, seniors Jack Jasinski and Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch junior Andrew Samuels participated in the 2025 MLS College Showcase. Jasinski, Samuels and Whitchurch were three of the 45 top collegiate soccer players invited to the showcase, which took place from December 10-13 in Mesa, Ariz. The four-day talent evaluation gives technical staffs from MLS clubs an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation ahead of 2026 MLS SuperDraft, which takes place on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. Samuels is the No. 2-ranked goalkeeper among draft-eligible players, according to MLSSoccer.com. Should the junior have his name called, he’ll have to decide between turning pro or returning to Princeton for his senior season. ...read more read less