VANCOUVER, BC - With the fifth overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Vancouver Whitecaps FC today selected striker/winger Erik Hurtado from Santa Clara University.
Erik Hurtado – striker/winger
- Scored 15 goals and added seven assists as a senior with Santa Clara University
- Scored 33 goals and added 20 assists in four years at college
- All-West Coast Conference in 2010, 2011, and 2012
- Was a member of US U-18 national team
“Erik is powerful and quick, and holds the ball well under pressure,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “He brings a solid goalscoring record during his time at Santa Clara and was a standout at the Combine. We are very excited that we were able to select him today.”
Hurtado, 22, joins Whitecaps FC after four outstanding seasons with Santa Clara. As a senior, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward scored 15 goals and added seven assists in 19 matches with the Broncos. As a result of his efforts, he was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
As a junior, Hurtado started in all 20 matches for the Broncos and tied for the league lead in scoring with six goals. Hurtado was named All-WCC First Team player for second straight season and named to the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I NSCAA All Far-West Region Second Team in 2011.
In 2010, the Beaverton, Oregon resident netted five goals in 18 matches, while helping Santa Clara win the 2010 West Coast Conference Championship. As a result of a great sophomore year, he was named to the All-WCC First Team.
In his freshman year, Hurtado led the Broncos in goals scored with seven, and was named to the All-WCC Second Team and the All-WCC Freshman Team.
In the summer of 2012, Hurtado played for Portland Timbers U-23 in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL), scoring six goals and recording one assist in 10 matches.
Erik Hurtado
Position: Striker
Height: 5-09
Weight: 180 lbs.
Date of Birth: November 15, 1990 in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Santa Clara University Broncos
How Acquired: Selected fifth overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 17, 2013
