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MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Select Four Players in 2023 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas

December 21, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected four players in the 2023 MLS Superdraft, presented by adidas, on Wednesday.

In the first round, the 'Caps acquired the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft from Houston Dynamo FC in exchange for the 13th overall pick, $125,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $100,000 in 2024 GAM. Vancouver then selected Generation adidas attacking midfielder J.C. Ngando from the University of North Carolina Greensboro with the fifth overall selection.

With the 29th overall selection, the 'Caps chose Canadian forward Levonte Johnson from Syracuse University.

The second round saw centre back Daniel Nimick from Western Michigan University taken 42nd overall, while the third round saw the club select centre back Buster Sjöberg 71st overall, also from Syracuse University.

Attacking Midfielder J.C. Ngando

Recorded nine goals, 22 assists in 37 appearances across two seasons with the University of North Carolina Greensboro

2022 South Conference Player of the Year, NCAA Division I All American First Team, All-South Region First Team

2021 South Conference Freshman of the Year, All-Region Third Team, College Soccer News All-Freshman Second Team

Spent time with Paris FC II and Amiens SC II prior to his college career

Ngando, 23, recorded four goals and a team-leading 14 assists as he started all 23 of his appearances for University of North Carolina Greensboro this past season. The attacking midfielder received recognition for his performances by being named the South Conference Player of the Year, while also being selected to both the NCAA Division I All American First Team and All-South Region First Team.

In 2021, Ngando started 14 of his 15 appearances for the Spartans, scoring five goals and adding eight assists. He was also named the South Conference Freshman of the Year, was selected to the All-Region Third Team and the College Soccer News All-Freshman Second Team.

Born in Douala, Cameroon, Ngando moved to France at the age of seven and went on to play for Paris FC II and Amiens SC II.

TRANSACTION: On December 21, 2022, Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired the fifth pick overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft from Houston Dynamo FC in exchange for the 13th overall pick and $125,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) as well as $100,000 in 2024 GAM. Whitecaps FC then selected Generation adidas attacking midfielder J.C. Ngando from the University of North Carolina Greensboro fifth overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

J.C. Ngando

Pronunciation: gan-doe

Position: Attacking midfielder

Height: 5-09

Weight: 175 pounds

Date of Birth: November 20, 1999 in Douala, Cameroon

Hometown: Paris, France

Citizenship: Cameroon, France

Status: Generation adidas, International

University: University of North Carolina Greensboro (2021-22)

Former Clubs: Paris FC II, Amiens SC II

Instagram: @_ngando

Twitter: @ngando_

Forward Levonte Johnson

Recorded 11 goals, six assists in 25 starts in lone season with Syracuse University

2022 MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America, All-ACC First Team, All-South Region First Team

Helped Syracuse win the NCAA Division I National Championship

Nine goals, eight assists in 20 starts and 22 appearances with Seattle University in 2021

Johnson, 23, scored 11 goals and added six assists across 25 starts for Syracuse University this past season, helping the side win the NCAA Division I National Championship.

The native of Brampton, Ontario was one of three MAC Hermann Trophy finalists and was named to the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America, All-ACC First Team, and All-South Region First Team.

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Johnson recorded nine goals, eight assists in 20 starts and 22 appearances with Seattle University in 2021.

Johnston previously spent time with Salt Lake Community College in his sophomore year, starting 16 of his 18 appearances and recording 11 goals as well as 10 assists.

In his freshman year, the forward added 10 goals and four assists for Eastern Florida State College.

In addition, Johnson also played for Portland Timbers U-23 in USL League Two in 2021, tallying a goal in seven appearances.

TRANSACTION: On December 21, 2022, Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected forward Levonte Johnson 29th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

Levonte Johnson

Pronunciation: le-von-tae

Position: Striker

Height: 5-10

Weight: 175 pounds

Date of Birth: March 15, 1999 in Brampton, Ontario

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Unsigned, Domestic

Universities & Colleges: Syracuse University (2022), Seattle University (2021), Salt Lake Community College (2020), Eastern Florida College (2019)

High School: David Suzuki Secondary School

Former Clubs: Portland Timbers U-23

Instagram: @levontee__

Twitter: @LevontaeJohnson_

Centre Back Daniel Nimick

Started 51 of his 65 appearances over four seasons with the Mustangs, recording 12 goals and seven assists

Named 2022 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year, as well as to the All-American Second Team

Developed in Leeds United Academy

Nimick started 51 of his 65 appearances over four seasons with the Mustangs, recording 12 goals and seven assists. In his senior season, he scored an impressive eight goals and added one assist while being named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year, as well as to the All-American Second Team. His contributions helped WMU top the NCAA in goals against average.

In USL League Two, Nimick played the 2022 season with South Bend Lions, making 10 appearances including the playoffs and scoring three goals. In 2021, the 6-foot-2 defender played with Grand Rapids FC, making 11 appearances while recording one goal and one assist.

A native of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nimick grew up in Harrogate, England, and developed as part of the Leeds United Academy while later playing with Harrogate Town.

TRANSACTION: On December 21, 2022, Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected centre back Daniel Nimick 42nd overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

Daniel Nimick

Position: Centre back

Height: 6-02

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of Birth: September 22, 2000 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador

Hometown: Harrogate, England

Citizenship: England and Canada

Status: Unsigned, Domestic

University: Western Michigan University (2019-2022)

Former Clubs: Leeds United, Harrogate Town

Instagram: @dan_nimick

Twitter: @dan_nimick

Centre Back Buster Sjöberg

Made 34 starts and 36 appearances across two seasons with Syracuse University

2022 Academic All-District Team, 2021 All-ACC Academic Team

Helped Syracuse win the NCAA Division I National Championship

Spent two seasons at Wofford College, started all 26 appearances

Sjöberg, 23, started 17 of his 19 appearances for Syracuse in 2022, helping the side win the NCAA Division I National Championship. The defender received recognition during his time with the Orange by being selected for the 2022 Academic All-District Team as well as the 2021 All-ACC Academic Team.

Prior to joining Syracuse, Sjöberg spent two seasons with Wofford College, starting all 26 of his appearances. In terms of accolades, the native of Uppsala, Sweden was named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll, Southern Conference All-Academic Team, All-Southern Conference First Team, 2019-20 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll, 2019 Southern Conference All-Freshman Team and All-Southern Conference Second Team.

Sjöberg has one year of college eligibility remaining.

During his two college stints, Sjöberg played with USL League Two sides One Knoxville SC in 2022 and South Carolina United Bantams, winning the Southern Division with both teams.

In his youth, Sjöberg spent time in his native country with IK Sirius' U-21 side.

TRANSACTION: On December 21, 2022, Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected defender Buster Sjöberg 71st overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

Buster Sjöberg

Pronunciation: shoe-berg

Position: Centre back

Height: 6-04

Weight: 190 pounds

Date of Birth: April 4, 1999 in Uppsala, Sweden

Hometown: Uppsala, Sweden

Citizenship: Sweden

Status: Unsigned, International

University & College: Syracuse University (2021-22), Wofford College (2019-21)

Instagram: @bustersjoberg

Twitter: @burre11

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