Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon skipped the club's first preseason physical, sources confirmed to ESPN. His absence stems from a stalled contract saga with Inter Miami proposing a $3 million intra-MLS cash transfer. Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster publicly denied the club intended to move the defender.

Blackmon, the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, was a mainstay for Vancouver last season. He helped the Whitecaps reach the Concacaf Champions League and MLS Cup finals. His career has blossomed since arriving from LAFC in 2022, earning him his first U.S. national team caps last September.

The standoff centers on a new contract. Blackmon made $800,000 last season, ranking 37th among MLS center-backs. With Miami's offer revealed, talks between the player and Vancouver have stalled. His absence from camp puts pressure on both sides to resolve his future before the season begins.