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.
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 (March 14, 1993, in East Palo Alto, California)
Position: Centre back Height: 6-03 Weight: 198 pounds
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 (August 12, 1994, in Spanish Town, Jamaica)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-09 Weight: 145 pounds
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 (September 15, 1990, in Dakar, Senegal)
Position: Striker Height: 6-01 Weight: 170 pounds
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
Congratulations on the Draft selections from Sportswave
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