MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Select Three in Final Rounds of 2014 MLS SuperDraft

Published on January 21, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers selected midfielder George Fochive from the University of Connecticut, UCLA forward Victor Chavez and midfielder Nikita Kotlov from Indiana University during the final two rounds of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, held today via conference call.

Portland selected Fochive (No. 39) with the first pick in the third round, while Chavez (No. 71) and Kotlov (No. 73) were each selected in the fourth and final round of the draft.

Fochive, 21, played his final two collegiate seasons at the University of Connecticut, starting 45 games and recording two goals and two assists for the Huskies. He started all 23 games as a senior in 2013, recording two goals and one assist. Fochive received American Athletic Conference second-team and NSCAA All-Northeast first-team honors following his senior season and helped guide the Huskies to a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He transferred to UConn from Hawaii Pacific University, where he was a two-time, All-PacWest selection from 2010-11.

Chavez, 21, was a four-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection at UCLA, scoring 27 goals in 79 appearances during his four-year collegiate career, including eight goals as a senior. A member of the U.S. U-17 National Team for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Chavez also gained international experience at the U-18 and U-20 levels for the United States. A native of Fontana, Calif., Chavez finished as the conference leader in goals scored (10) as a freshman in 2010 and was voted UCLA's Offensive MVP in his first season with the Bruins.

Kotlov, 22, appeared in 85 matches, scoring 26 goals and recording 14 assists during his collegiate career at Indiana. He led the Hoosiers to the NCAA championship as a junior in 2012, scoring the game-winning goal in the final, and was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team. A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Kotlov played in all 22 games during his senior campaign and was tied for the team lead in scoring and goals, while leading Indiana to the Big Ten tournament title and earning a fourth all-conference selection. He ranked among the team's goal-scoring leaders in each of his last three seasons.

George Fochive

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6-0

Weight: 175

Born: March 24, 1992

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

College: University of Connecticut

Victor Chavez

Position: Forward

Height: 5-11

Weight: 170

Born: Aug. 25, 1992

Hometown: Fontana, Calif.

College: UCLA

Nikita Kotlov

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-9

Weight: 160

Born: Sept. 20, 1991

Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.

College: Indiana University

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