Shea Salinas

PROFILE
A speedy and skilful winger, Robert O'Shea (Shea) Salinas joined Whitecaps FC after being selected in the fourth round (eighth overall) of the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. The native of Lubbock, Texas, has previous Major League Soccer experience with expansion clubs San Jose Earthquakes and Philadelphia Union.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2011: Salinas made his Whitecaps FC competitive debut when he replaced Davide Chiumiento in the late stages of Vancouver's 1-0 win at North American Soccer League side Montreal Impact in the first leg of their Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinal series on Apr. 27. He then made his first competitive start for Whitecaps FC during a 1-1 home draw versus former club San Jose Earthquakes on May 11 before assisting on Camilo's goal during a 2-1 friendly defeat at home to English Premier League side Manchester City FC in the Herbalife World Football Challenge on July 18. Two days later, Salinas registered his first MLS points for Whitecaps FC, as he assisted on Eric Hassli's two goals during a 2-2 away draw versus San Jose Earthquakes on July 20. The winger also assisted on Camilo's goal during Whitecaps FC's 4-2 home win over Chicago Fire on Aug. 7. His first Whitecaps FC goal was the match winner on Aug. 27, as Vancouver won 1-0 at home to Houston Dynamo. 2010: As a member of Philadelphia Union, Salinas started seven of his 17 regular season appearances for the expansion outfit. His only goal for the Pennsylvania club came in a 3-2 victory at Houston Dynamo on May 29. On Nov. 24, Whitecaps FC acquired the winger during the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. 2009: The winger was second in assists with five at San Jose, having started 13 of his 23 MLS regular season appearances that year. He also appeared in the Earthquakes' 2-1 home defeat to New York Red Bulls in the qualification semifinals for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Apr. 29. On Nov. 25, Salinas was the eighth pick by expansion club Philadelphia Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft. 2008: Selected as the top pick in the second round (15th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, Salinas became a member of the re-born San Jose Earthquakes when they returned to MLS as an expansion club that season. The winger was only the third rookie since 2001 to start a season opener for the Earthquakes, as he played 57 minutes as a striker in a 2-0 defeat at Los Angeles Galaxy on Apr. 3. Though he made just two starts during his 23 appearances that year, Salinas registered two goals for the California-based outfit in their final two games of the regular season. The first goal of his MLS career came in a 3-2 defeat at Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) on Oct. 18. He then scored from the penalty spot in a 2-0 home win over Toronto FC on Oct. 25. The midfielder also started San Jose's 4-0 away defeat to Real Salt Lake in the first round of qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Apr. 30.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE
2011: Salinas made his Whitecaps FC reserves debut during the 3-2 away defeat to Portland Timbers reserves on Aug. 21. 2008: In his rookie season in MLS, Salinas had a goal and two assists for San Jose Earthquakes reserves. He scored versus Real Salt Lake on Sept. 28 and recorded assists at Houston Dynamo (Oct. 15) and Chivas USA (Oct. 21).

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES SECOND DIVISION
2010: One of three Philadelphia Union players to be loaned to USL-2 club Harrisburg City Islanders, Salinas appeared in the club's season opener on Apr. 17, as Harrisburg drew 2-2 at Richmond Kickers.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FIRST DIVISION
2008: During his first MLS season with San Jose Earthquakes, Salinas made one appearance on loan with then USL-1 club Charleston Battery, as he started the 1-1 away draw versus Portland Timbers on Aug. 9.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
2007: As a member of Carolina Dynamo, Salinas was the club's Most Valuable Player and named to the PDL's All-Southern Conference Team after scoring seven goals and recording five assists in 13 appearances that year. In two Southern Conference, Southeast Division match-ups, the winger scored two goals and recorded one assist. The first time was on June 23 in an 8-0 home win over Cocoa Expos, while the second time was on July 14 in a 4-0 win at home to Central Florida Kraze. The Dynamo reached the Southern Conference playoff final before falling to eventual PDL champions Laredo Heat on July 28. 2006: In his second season with the Tornados, Salinas assisted on Robert Luevano's winning goal in a 2-1 home victory over Laredo Heat on June 23 before scoring in a 3-2 home win over Austin Lightning two days later. 2005: The winger played the first of three PDL seasons with Dallas-Fort Worth Tornados. In nine appearances in the PDL's Southern Conference, Mid South Division, Salinas scored goals in a 4-3 defeat at Austin Lightning on June 18 and in a 3-1 defeat at Nashville Metros on July 8.

COLLEGE
Salinas enjoyed a productive NCAA Division I career with Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. 2007: As a senior, Salinas was named to the NSCAA All-American Third Team, NSCAA Scholar All-American First Team, and NSCAA All-South Region First Team after registering a career-high five goals and nine assists for the Paladins that season. The winger's efforts also earned him a place on the All-Southern Conference First Team. 2006: The winger was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Region Third Team and the All-Southern Conference First Team after registering three goals and seven assists during his junior year. 2005: As a sophomore, Salinas registered four goals and four assists in 18 appearances for the Paladins that season. 2004: As a freshman, the winger scored two goals and added one assist for the Paladins, with his first NCAA career goal versus Gardner-Webb University on Sept. 19.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
Salinas had a fine high school career at Grapevine High School in Grapevine, Texas. As a member of the Mustangs, the winger led Grapevine to three bi-district championship titles in four seasons. As a senior, Salinas captained the Mustangs and earned district Most Valuable Player honours after leading the team in goals and assists. At youth level, the midfielder spent five years with Dallas Texans before spending three years with Club Dallas (Pumas). His last year of youth soccer was spent with Solar Soccer Club in Dallas, Texas, where led the team in goals with 17, as Solar '86 claimed Classic League Grand Championship and Texas state cup championship titles.

PERSONAL
Born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, the winger's parents are Mickey and Jerry Salinas. As a student at Furman University, Salinas was a health and exercise science major.

INTERESTING FACTS
An avid runner, Salinas was a high school district champion in the mile and the five-kilometre run as a track & field/cross country athlete. The winger's favourite food is Mexican.