Ryan Raposo


Ryan Christopher Raposo, also known as Wu Xiaohai, is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for MLS club Los Angeles FC.

Early life

Born in Hamilton to a Portuguese-Canadian father and Chinese-Canadian mother, Raposo began playing soccer at a young age, making his first competitive rep team when he was eight with Mount Hamilton SC. When he was 11, he joined the Toronto FC Academy, but the club released him two years later, believing him to be "too small and too skinny". Afterwards, he joined the Burlington Youth SC at age 12, joining the provincial program at age 14. Soon after, he was selected to play on the Canadian under-15 national team. When he was 16, he moved to Vaughan SC. In 2016, he fractured his right fibula in a club match against Sigma FC. He was named MVP at the 2017 Canada Summer Games, as part of the gold medal-winning Team Ontario.
Raposo attended Syracuse University, where he played soccer for two years. In his second and final year, Raposo led his team in goals and points, which set the school records for a sophomore, and earned a spot in the All-ACC first team.

Club career

During college, Raposo also appeared for League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 during the NCAA offseason. He played in the 2019 Canadian Championship and scored in the first leg of their tie, which was lost on away goals to Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC.
On January 9, 2020, Raposo was selected fourth overall by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, and was signed by the club to a Generation Adidas contract. He made his debut on March 7, 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute, against the Los Angeles Galaxy, recording an assist on the only goal of the game. He scored his first professional goal in the 73rd minute of a 1–0 win over Sporting Kansas City on April 2, 2022. Later that year, he won the Best Young Canadian Player Award at the 2022 Canadian Championship, after scoring one goal and getting two assists. On February 20, 2025, China League One club Liaoning Tieren announced that Raposo made an agreement to join the club in principle as a naturalized Chinese player, but he was never registered for the season. It was announced on April 25, 2025, that Liaoning Tieren has ended its attempt to naturalize Raposo.
Los Angeles FC signed Raposo on April 24, 2025, for the 2025 season and a club option for 2026. At the end of the 2025 season, his club option would be declined, making him a free agent. On January 29, 2026, Raposo signed a new contract through the 2027-28 season.

International career

Raposo is eligible for Canada, China, and Portugal.
He joined the Canadian under-15 in 2014, playing matches against Costa Rican teams.
Raposo was named to the Canadian under-23 roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on March 10, 2021.
In May 2023, Raposo was listed on the Canada preliminary rosters for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.

Style of play

Described as "a skilful winger" by Neil Davidson, Raposo is also capable of playing as a number ten. His former Syracuse coach Ian McIntyre labelled him a "dynamic, exciting attacker who can torment defenders."

Honours

Vancouver Whitecaps
  • Canadian Championship: 2022, 2023, 2024
Individual