Whitecaps Select Five In 2022 MLS Super Draft

Photo Credit Twitter

Drafting in any league is stressful for any organization and it’s no different for the Vancouver Whitecaps who have selected five (5) players in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. 

Their first selection was in the first round where they selected 16th overall picking forward Simon Becher (22) who played with the Saint Louis University. 

Their second selection in the second round saw them grab Clemson University’s Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador (44th overall) as well as California State University Northridge Giovanni Aguilar with their 49th overall pick. 

Looking to select their next up and coming super star they selected University of North Carolina Greensboro Théo Collomb; 72nd overall and picking 86th saw them grab Marshall University Vitor Dias.

Becher collected 21 goals, 13 assists in three seasons at Saint Louis (2019 to 2021) and before joining St. Louis played with the Billikens, 

Becher played his freshman season at Holy Cross University and led the Crusaders with seven goals, adding three assists.

His final collegiate season (2021) he was tied for first in NCAA goals contributions managing 14 goals and 10 assists and was named First Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches.

In addition to the above he was named to Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Conference, Top Drawer Soccer First Team Best XI, and a Hermann Trophy semifinalist.

During this most recent season, the native of Brooklyn, Connecticut scored a goal in nine straight matches, had a goal or assist in 11 straight, and had five game-winning goals to help Saint Louis win the Atlantic 10 championship.

Prior to playing college soccer, Becher scored more than 70 goals for Oakwood SC in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, helping the club win the Northeast Division in 2016. 

He was called to U.S. youth national team camps on three occasions, including a U-20 camp in 2019.

The following is from the media relations department at the Whitecaps:

Simon Becher  Forward

Height: 6-01,   Weight: 190, DOB: July 20, 1999

Hometown: Brooklyn, Connecticut,  Citizenship: United States

University: Saint Louis University

High School: Woodstock Academy (Woodstock, Connecticut)

Youth Club: Oakwood SC

TRANSACTION: Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected Simon Becher 16th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft on January 11, 2022.

Midfielder Fernandez-Salvador (21) helped the University of Clemson win the 2021 NCAA National Championship, earning a spot on the College Cup All-Tournament Team.

He collected 8 goals and 5 assists in 23 appearances and 16 starts in his senior season finishing his collegiate career with 11 goals and 14 assists in 69 appearances in his 51 starts.

He played his youth soccer in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with Shattuck St. Mary’s

Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador. Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-10. Weight: 165, DOB February 28, 2000

Hometown: Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Citizenship: Ecuador, Status: International, University: Clemson University

High School: Shattuck St. Mary’s Youth Club: Shattuck St. Mary’s

Midfielder Giovanni Aguilar

• Three goals and 11 assists in 71 starts and 72 appearances for California State University Northridge
• Named to 2021 Big West All-Conference First-Team
• Team-leading three assists along with three goals in 2021
• 2017 Big West Conference All-Freshman Team

Aguilar, 23, was named to the Big West All-Conference First Team after recording three goals and a team-leading three assists in 17 starts for California State in 2021.

The centre midfielder received Honourable Mention All-Conference honours in 2018 as well as 2017, and was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team in 2017.