Whitecaps FC Add Striker Jonathan McDonald
August 5, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the acquisition and signing of striker Jonathan McDonald from Club Sport Herediano of Costa Rica's Primera Division - pending his international transfer certificate and league approval. Per club policy, terms of the transfer and contracts were not disclosed. The club also announced today the release of striker Marlon James.
"Jonathan is a young striker that possesses a number of valuable qualities. He was a top goalscorer in Costa Rica last season, and we're hoping he can have an immediate impact with our team," said Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. "I would also like to thank Marlon for his time with the club. He has been a fantastic professional and a great person to have in our roster during his time here."
McDonald, 22, arrives in Vancouver from Club Sport Herediano - one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in the Costa Rican Primera Division. During the 2009-10 season, the 5-foot-8, 150-pound forward appeared in 10 matches, scoring eight goals. Having first joined CS Herediano during the 2005-06 season, McDonald went on to make a total of 40 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals in the process. Prior to joining CS Herediano, McDonald began his professional career as a 16-year-old with Asociación Deportiva Carmelita, where he made three appearances during the 2004-05 Costa Rican Primera Division season.
Born in San Jose, Costa Rica, McDonald has also appeared for the Central American nation at the U-20 and U-23 Olympic levels. As a member of Costa Rica's U-20 squad, McDonald earned seven caps and scored two goals. This included a dramatic late strike that helped his country defeat Scotland 2-1 at Swangard Stadium in their final match in Group F at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.
James, 33, joined Whitecaps FC on December 23, 2008, after spending four seasons in Malaysia. This season, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international started four of his seven appearances for 388 minutes of action, scoring one goal. In one-and-a-half seasons with the Whitecaps, James started 17 of his 31 total appearances for 1,628 minutes of action. He scored 12 goals and added a pair of assists in the process.
North American Soccer League (NASL) Conference leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-3L-10D) will battle Athletic Club of St. Louis (5W-10L-5D) this Friday, August 6, at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton, Missouri. Friday's match kicks off at 5 p.m. PT and can be seen live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 5, 2010
- Whitecaps FC Add Striker Jonathan McDonald - Vancouver Whitecaps
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