Whitecaps Sign Aaron Wheeler
August 28, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of striker Aaron Wheeler to the club's United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL) team. Wheeler has agreed to a deal until the end of October, with an option for the 2010 season.
Wheeler, 21, joins the Whitecaps after playing with PDL club Reading Rage, where he earned both the league's Most Valuable Player and top goalscoring awards. Setting the pace for the rest of the PDL this season, Wheeler recorded a goal or an assist in 13 of 17 regular season and playoffs matches, having finished the 2009 campaign with 18 goals and three assists en route to Reading's first-ever regular season championship. Wheeler scored a goal in each of the Rage's final five games and ended the year with an eight-match point-scoring streak. He scored four goals in a victory against Virginia Legacy on June 21 and added a three-goal effort in the Rage's 3-1 win over West Virginia Chaos on June 26. Wheeler also scored Reading's lone playoff goal in a 2-1 defeat to Cary Clarets on July 25.
Before joining the Rage, Wheeler played for PDL side Hampton Roads Piranhas in 2007. With Hampton Roads, the striker scored four goals in 13 appearances for 307 minutes of action, as the Piranhas won the PDL regular season championship.
The 6-foot-4, 175-pound forward transferred to Towson University in Maryland in the spring from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, after scoring 13 goals and adding two assists as a junior in 2008. A physical player with plenty of pace, Wheeler was a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Atlantic Region First Team selection at Lenoir-Rhyne and a three-time All-South Atlantic Conference First Team member after playing in midfield during his freshman year and as a centre back during his sophomore campaign. Over his three seasons at Lenoir-Rhyne, Wheeler scored 25 goals and added six assists in 54 matches with the Bears.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Wheeler attended Patapsco High School in Dundalk, Maryland, where he led his team to the 2005 Baltimore County championship title.
The Whitecaps battle Rochester Rhinos at Swangard Stadium this Saturday, August 29, at 7 p.m. PDT. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 604.280.4400 or by visiting whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
USL First Division Stories from August 28, 2009
- Playoff-bound Timbers, Battery battle to scoreless draw - Portland Timbers
- Miami FC Defender Called up For U-20 World Cup - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Timbers Sign Defender Ivan Becerra - Portland Timbers
- Impact Faces Carolina Railhawks Sunday At Saputo Stadium - Montreal Impact
- Battery adds McClellan and Franks - Charleston Battery
- Miami FC Visits Last Place Aztex - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Match Preview: Aztex vs. Miami FC, August 29th - Austin Aztex
- Two big fixtures in Montreal loom for RailHawks - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps Sign Aaron Wheeler - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Austin Chamber of Commerce honors Austin Aztex with Community Relations Award - Austin Aztex
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
