PHILADELPHIA, PA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has selected Generation adidas defender Christian Dean with the third overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
Whitecaps FC defender Christian Dean
- Started all 55 of his appearances over the last three seasons
- All Pac-12 and NSCAA Far West Region first-team all-star in 2013
- Led Golden Bears to Elite Eight finish at 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament
<a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/PAeDykKEAcQ"></a> |
<b>Christian Dean: "It's insane ... I'm really happy."</b> |
Dean, 20, joins Whitecaps FC after spending three seasons with the California Golden Bears of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Pacific-12 Conference.
“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.”
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.
The 6-foot-3, 198-pound defender also chipped in with one goal and four of the six assists he registered during his tenure at the University of California, Berkeley. His lone goal was a free-kick tally in a 3-2 win over UCLA on October 13.
As a sophomore, the East Palo Alto, California native was an All Pac-12 honourable mention after starting all 18 of the team’s matches and playing a key part in their four clean sheets. This came after he collected two assists as a freshman in 2011. That year, Dean also trained with the United States U-20 men’s national team.
Prior to his collegiate career, Dean spent time honing his skills with the Palo Alto Football Club, Santa Clara Sporting FC and De Anza Force Soccer Club, with whom he was a co-captain for the U-18 side.
As a Generation adidas signings, Dean’s salary will not count against Whitecaps FC’s salary budget.
Christian Dean
Position: Centre back
Height: 6-03
Weight: 198 pounds
Date of Birth: March 14, 1993, in Alvin, Texas
Hometown: East Palo Alto, California
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
Whitecaps FC 2014 season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps are also offering a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visitwhitecapsfc.com/tickets.
