Andrés Cubas

A defensive midfielder who loves to get stuck into a tackle, Andrés Cubas joined Whitecaps FC in April 2022 after spending the previous two years with French side Nîmes Olympique.

The Paraguayan international originally agreed to a Designated Player contract through June 2026, with an option for the final six months of 2026, when he first signed with the club. In July 2023, Cubas agreed to a Designated Player contract extension through to the end of 2026, with a club option for 2027.

WHITECAPS FC

'24: As always, Cubas showed his defensive influence as one of the best in his position in MLS throughout the 2024 season. The Paraguayan international started 33 of his 36 appearances across all competitions, tying a career-high in assists with four. In MLS play, Cubas finished tied for the third-best successful tackles per 90 rate in the league with 2.0. At the international level, Cubas was a prominent component of Paraguay’s CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, starting all four of his appearances for his country as they finished the year in sixth in the qualifying table. Cubas also started two matches at the 2024 Copa América during the summer and made an additional two starts for Paraguay in a pair of international friendlies.

'23: Cubas continued to show his defensive prowess in 2023 as one of the league’s best in his position. The Paraguayan international started 36 of his 37 appearances across all competitions, recording four assists. Cubas finished the regular season leading the team in interceptions with 50 (sixth in MLS) and tackles won with 40. On the milestones front, the midfielder made his 200th professional appearance at the club level on May 17 in the club’s road match against FC Dallas. In addition, Cubas was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 21 after helping the Blue and White claim a 3-2 away victory over Los Angeles FC on June 24. He was also named the club’s Player of the Month for March and was nominated as a finalist for the club’s Player of the Year award.

'22: Having arrived in Vancouver at the start of the summer, Cubas established himself as a key defensive cog, starting 19 of his 20 appearances across all competitions in his first season with the club. The Paraguayan international scored his first ‘Caps goal against Los Angeles FC on July 2nd, firing in a shot from the top of the box in the final minutes of the match to give the Blue and White a 1-0 victory. Cubas finished the season leading the team in tackles won with 36 and interceptions with 34. In addition, he was named to the MLS Team of the Week for Weeks 15 and 18 thanks to performances against FC Dallas and Los Angeles FC.

NÎMES OLYMPIQUE

'20-'22: Cubas spent the 2021/22 and 2020/21 season playing with Nîmes in both the first and second divisions of French football. At the time of joining the 'Caps, the midfielder led Ligue 2 in successful tackles per match with 2.6 and second most interceptions with 2.7 across 18 starts and 21 appearances. In his first year in France, Cubas finished tied for the sixth-most successful tackles per match in Ligue 1 with 1.7, starting all 27 of his appearances. In total, Cubas started 47 of his 50 appearances across all competitions with Nîmes, adding two goals and three assists in the process.

CLUB ATLÉTICO TALLERES

'18-'20: Prior to making the transfer to Europe, Cubas played two seasons in the Argentinian Primera División with Club Atlético Talleres, recording a goal in 49 starts and 51 appearances across all competitions.

BOCA JUNIORS

'14-'18: A product of Argentinian club Boca Juniors famed youth system, Cubas moved up to the first team as a 17-year-old in 2014. The defensive midfielder was a part of the club’s two Argentinian Primera División titles in 2015 and 2017, while recording an assist in 35 starts and 41 appearances for the club. LOAN SPELLS: During his time with Boca Juniors, Cubas had two loan spells including the first half of 2017 in Italy with then-Serie A side Delfino Pescara 1936 and then with fellow Argentinian side Defensa y Justica during the 2017-18 season, where he started 22 of his 24 appearances in all competitions.

INTERNATIONAL

Despite being born in Argentina, the dual national has represented Paraguay at the international level 29 times since 2020, making 27 starts in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Copa América and friendly competition. Cubas previously played for Argentina at the U-20 level, where he started two of his three appearances for the side at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Cubas is the first Paraguayan international to play for Vancouver.