Cristian Techera

PROFILE
A talented young winger with experience playing in his native Uruguay, Cristian Techera originally joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC on a season-long loan from Club Atlético River Plate Montevideo of the Uruguayan Primera División in April 2015, making him the shortest player in MLS at 5-foot-2, along with Real Salt Lake’s Joao Plata. Despite joining the club in the middle of the MLS season, Techera finished tied for second in goals scored with seven. In December 2015, Whitecaps FC acquired him via transfer and inked him to a multi-year contract.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2017: Techera enjoyed a bounce-back season scoring six goals and recording seven assists, tied for first on the team. He also led the side with 42 chances created and 35 successful crosses/corners while making 24 starts in 29 regular season appearances. He appeared in all three MLS Cup Playoffs matches, making two starts, while tallying a goal and an assist in the Knockout Round victory over San Jose Earthquakes. 2016: Techera finished his first full year in MLS with 29 regular season appearances, tied for second on the team among field players, and starting in 19. He tallied two goals and two assists in MLS play, recording assists in back-to-back matches in Weeks 8 and 9 versus FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City. In addition, Techera also assisted in the international friendly versus Crystal Palace FC on July 19. 2015: Techera finished his first MLS regular season with seven goals and five assists, both tied for second on Whitecaps FC. He made 17 starts in 22 regular season appearances, plus both legs of the Western Conference Semifinal series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Techera received league honours in August when he was named to the MLS Team of the Week after his second-half brace in the 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake. He finished his first year in Vancouver with an assist in the crucial Decision Day 3-0 win over Houston Dynamo in October.

CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
2016: Techera started and played 75 minutes in his lone ACC appearance, helping the 'Caps overcome a 2-0 aggregate goal deficit against Ottawa Fury FC to advance in the second leg of the semifinal. 2015: Techera played a key role in the ACC, where his shot led to the Octavio Rivero match-winner in the Voyageurs Cup-clinching second leg of the final versus Montreal Impact. The Uruguayan also started the semifinal second leg in Edmonton, earning the penalty kick on the first goal.

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 
2016: Techera tied for first in goals in the group stage of the Champions League with five, in addition to his two assists. Starting and playing in three of the 'Caps tournament matches, Techera put the finishing touches on the 'Caps four-match sweep with two goals and two assists in the group stage finale versus Central FC on September 28.

URUGUAY
2014-15: In his sixth season at CA River Plate Montevideo, Techera played all 360 minutes in the Copa Sudamericana, scoring one goal.  During the Primera División Apertura, Techera scored seven goals in 14 appearances. In six Clausura games, Techera scored twice. 2013-14: At the start of the new campaign, Techera earned his first minutes in the Copa Sudamericana starting all four of River Plates matches, scoring once. During the Apertura, Techera started 10 matches and entered as a substitute four times, scoring three goals. During the Clausura, Techera started six games, scoring once. 2012-13: In his first Primera Division Apertura, Techera entered as a substitute nine times totaling 196 minutes. Techera scored his first professional goal on December 2, 2012 in a 5-2 win against Español. During the Clausura, the young winger started 11 of 14 appearances, scoring four times. On the first day of the Clausura, Techera got his first professional start and rewarded his manager by scoring once and adding two assists. 2011-12: Playing in four matches, Techera entered on all occasions as a second-half substitute totaling 94 minutes. 2009-10: Techera made his professional debut as a second half substitute on April 11, 2010 against Cerro Largo. He was again a second-half sub two weeks later.

YOUTH/AMATEUR
Prior to joining River Plate, Techera was a member of the youth set-up at Club Atlético Peñarol, also in Montevideo.

PERSONAL
Techera is nicknamed El Bicho, or The Bug. At 5-foot-2, he is the shortest player in MLS, along with Real Salt Lake’s Joao Plata. 

INTERESTING FACTS
During the last three seasons at River Plate, Techera was teammates with striker Leandro Rodriguez, the younger brother of former Whitecaps FC centre back Diego Rodríguez. Techera was also teammates with Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder Nicolas Mezquida on the regional team of Paysandú.