MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Select Three Players in 2014 MLS SuperDraft

Published on January 16, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


PHILADELPHIA, PA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC today selected Generation adidas defender Christian Dean (first round, third overall), midfielder Andre Lewis (first round, seventh overall), and striker Mamadou Diouf (second round, 30th overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

Interviews with Dean, Diouf, and Robinson: https://mlssoccer.box.com/s/4t6ku7mtu4a4tzerc4iw

Dean, 20, joins Whitecaps FC after spending three seasons with the California Golden Bears of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Pac-12 Conference.

The left-footed centre back, who also has experience playing at left back, started all 55 of his appearances with the Golden Bears over the past three seasons.

This past season, Dean earned All Pac-12 and NSCAA Far West Region first-team honours after anchoring a California defence that allowed 21 goals in as many matches and recorded seven clean sheets, en route to an Elite Eight finish at the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament.

As a Generation adidas signings, Dean's salary will not count against Whitecaps FC's salary budget.

"Christian was one of the most highly-rated players in this draft," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "He's a great athlete with a fantastic left foot and we believe he has massive upside. We are confident that Christian's game will translate very well to MLS and we look forward to seeing him at camp."

Lewis, 19, joins Whitecaps FC from Jamaican National Premier League side Portmore United F.C. Internationally, Lewis has represented Jamaica at the U-17 and U-20 levels. He also earned his first call-up to the senior Reggae Boyz squad in 2012.

As a member of the Jamaican U-17 outfit, Lewis appeared in the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring a goal against Trinidad & Tobago.

Lewis went on to represent his country again at the ensuing 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, where he scored against France. The 19-year-old midfielder also appeared in three matches for the Jamaican U-20 outfit at the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

"Andre is a highly-skilled attacking midfielder with massive upside," said Robinson. "He's a got fantastic ball control, he's a strong passer, and he plays much bigger than his size. We're very excited about what the future holds with Andre."

Diouf, 23, joins Whitecaps FC after four seasons with the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) American Athletic Conference. In total, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound striker scored 36 goals and added 10 assists in 74 career appearances with the Huskies.

After being named the BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, an early-season injury limited Diouf to 16 appearances in 2013. As a senior, the dynamic striker still managed to record two goals and five assists to help the Huskies reach the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer quarterfinals for the second straight season. He was also a candidate for the 2013 Senior CLASS award, which is awarded to an NCAA Division I player who demonstrated excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

In 2012, Diouf scored a team-high 15 goals and averaged 1.52 points per game in a year that saw him recognized as an ALL-BIG EAST first-team all-star, a NSCAA second team All-American, and a College Soccer News second team All-American.

"Sitting down with him and speaking to him, he's very humble and he's honoured to be a footballer," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "He'll get a chance. I see him as a centre forward or a wider player. He's got fantastic quick feet for a big guy, and he's a diamond in the rough."

The third and fourth rounds of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft will take place on Tuesday, January 21. Whitecaps FC hold two third-round picks (45th and 51st overall) and two fourth-round picks (58th and 64th overall).

Christian Dean

Position: Centre back

Height: 6-03

Weight: 198 pounds

Date of Birth: March 14, 1993, in East Palo Alto, California

Hometown: East Palo Alto, California

Citizenship: American

Status: Domestic

Last Club: California Golden Bears

How Acquired: Signed a Generation adidas contract on January 8, 2014. Selected third overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 16, 2014

Andre Lewis

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-09

Weight: 145 pounds

Date of Birth: August 12, 1994, in Spanish Town, Jamaica

Hometown: Spanish Town, Jamaica

Citizenship: Jamaican

Status: International

Last Club: Portmore United

How Acquired: Selected seventh overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 16, 2014

Mamadou Diouf

Position: Striker

Height: 6-01

Weight: 170 pounds

Date of Birth: September 15, 1990, in Dakar, Senegal

Citizenship: Senegal

Status: International

Last Club: University of Connecticut Huskies

How Acquired: Selected 30th overall (second round) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 16, 2014

Whitecaps FC 2014 season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps are also offering a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

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