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Whitecaps FC Select Four Players in 2021 MLS SuperDraft

January 21, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected four players in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on Thursday. Forward David Egbo and right back Javain were chosen in the first round, with midfielder Eric Iloski and local centre back Joel Harrison picked in the second round.

Forward David Egbo

21 goals and 13 assists in 35 starts and 56 appearances in three seasons at Akron

Led conference in goals and shots per game, and placing second in assists per game in 2019

All-MAC First Team in 2018 & 2019, USC All-America Third Team in 2018

Helped the Zips to MAC Tournament title and College Cup runner-up finish in 2018

Egbo, 22, was selected ninth overall by Whitecaps FC. The forward played three seasons at the University of Akron, collecting 21 goals and 13 assists in 35 starts and 56 appearances from 2017 to 2019.

In his last season with the Zips, Egbo led the Mid-American Conference with per-game averages of 0.75 goals and 4.00 shots, and placed second with 0.75 assists while wearing the captain's armband as a junior.

In the previous year, Egbo's 13 total goals led the MAC, while also landing in the top 10 with five assists. That season, he helped Akron to the MAC Tournament title and a runner-up finish in the 2018 College Cup.

The Nigerian-born striker was recognized with a United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team selection in 2018, as well as All-MAC First Team honours in his last two seasons.

Egbo also featured for Black Rock FC in USL League Two in 2018, recording a goal and an assist in seven appearances.

David Egbo

Position: Forward

Height: 6-01

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of Birth: October 31, 1998 in Kaduna, Nigeria

Hometown: Enugbu, Nigeria

Citizenship: Nigeria

Status: International

University: University of Akron (NCAA Mid-American Conference '17 to '19)

High School: The Kiski School (Saltsburg, PA)

Youth Clubs: The International Sports Academy (Lagos, Nigeria), Century Soccer (Pittsburgh, PA)

Twitter: @DAEVE1010

Instagram: @davidegbo10

Transaction: Whitecaps FC selected David Egbo ninth overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft on January 21, 2021.

Right Back Javain Brown

Four appearances for Jamaican men's national team

American Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference and All-Rookie Team in 2019

31 starts and 32 appearances in the Jamaican Premier League with Harbour View FC

Brown was selected 23rd overall out of the University of South Florida. The native of Kingston, Jamaica has represented his country at the senior international level four times since making his debut for the Reggae Boyz against Trinidad & Tobago in 2017. After joining the national team program at the U-17 level, he made five appearances for the U-20 national team and four appearances at the U-23 level, including three matches at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.

The now 21-year-old played one season of collegiate soccer prior to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the 2020 season. After redshirting in 2018, Brown started 17 of the 18 games he played for the Bulls in 2019, scoring three goals - all game winners. At the end of the season he was honoured on the American Athletic Conference First Team and All-Rookie Team. He was also a three-time selection for AAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Prior to enrolling at South Florida, Brown played two seasons with Harbour View FC in the Jamaican Premier League, starting 31 of his 32 appearances and scoring one goal.

Brown also played one season in USL League Two with Treasure Coast Tritons, making six appearances in 2019.

Javain Brown

Position: Right Back

Height: 5-11

Weight: 160 pounds

Date of Birth: March 9, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica

Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica

Citizenship: Jamaica

Status: International

University: University of South Florida (NCAA American Athletic Conference'18 to '20)

High School: Kingston College (Kingston, Jamaica)

Youth: Harbour View FC, Santos FC, Greenwich Town FC (Kingston, Jamaica)

Instagram: @_javain_brown21_

Transaction: Selected 23rd overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 21, 2021.

Defender/Midfielder Eric Iloski

49 starts and 52 appearances in three seasons at UCLA, recording three goals and eight assists

All-Pac 12 Honourable Mention in each of his three seasons at UCLA

Product of Real Salt Lake Academy

Iloski was chosen in the second round, 46th overall. The native of Escondido, California lined up at fullback, winger, and midfielder positions in college. In his collegiate career he has made 49 starts and 52 appearances for the Bruins, recording three goals and eight assists. He was recognized with an All-Pac 12 Honourable Mention selection after each of his three seasons at UCLA.

Currently in his senior year, Iloski has the option to return to Westwood to play out the remainder of his NCAA eligibility. Should he return to school, Whitecaps FC will retain his MLS rights.

In his youth, Iloski developed with the Real Salt Lake Academy. He is the youngest of three brothers in professional soccer - eldest brother Brian is at Orange County SC, and Milan is at Real Salt Lake.

Eric Iloski

Position: Defender/Midfielder

Height: 6-foot-0

Weight: 160 pounds

Date of Birth: 1998 in San Diego, CA

Hometown: Escondido, CA

Citizenship: United States, North Macedonia

Status: Domestic

University: UCLA (NCAA Pac-12 Conference '17 to present)

High School: San Pasqual High School (Escondido, CA)

Youth: Real Salt Lake Academy

Twitter: @eric_iloski

Instagram: @ericiloski_14

Transaction: Whitecaps FC selected Eric Iloski 46th overall (second round) in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft on January 21, 2021.

Centre Back Joel Harrison

Product of Langley, BC

Developed in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System from 2015-16

19 starts and 28 appearances, scoring one goal in two seasons at Michigan

Featured for the Canada U-18 national team

Harrison was selected in the second round, 53rd overall. The 20-year old centre back developed in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System for two years, receiving the 2016 Whitecaps FC Youth Soccer Player, BMO RESP at the club's year-end award ceremony. He was also called up to Whitecaps FC 2 during the 2016 USL season, making three appearances.

Over the past four years, Harrison has played college soccer at the University of Michigan, sitting out his freshman year due to injury before making 19 starts and 28 appearances in the following two seasons, scoring one goal. He was recognized with the 2019-20 Bates/Deskins Award, given to a junior student-athlete who has achieved great success academically and has made significant contributions athletically.

Currently a senior, Harrison is eligible to return to the Wolverines to resume his final season in Ann Arbor. Should he return to school, Whitecaps FC will retain his MLS rights.

At the international level, Harrison has played for Canada in his youth, joining the program initially through a U-15 camp before featuring for the U-18 side in El Salvador in 2016.

Joel Harrison

Position: Centre Back

Height: 6-foot-0

Weight: 165 pounds

Date of Birth: August 6, 1999 in Langley, BC

Hometown: Langley, BC

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Domestic

University: University of Michigan (NCAA Big Ten Conference '18 to present)

High School: Burnaby Central Secondary School

Youth: Langley United, Surrey United SC

Instagram: @joelsharrison

Transaction: Whitecaps FC selected defender Joel Harrison 53rd overall (second round) in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft on January 21, 2021.

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