VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC VS. HOUSTON DYNAMO – MEDIA NOTES
INSIDE THE NUMBERS 29 signed players: 4 born in the ʼ70s, 18 born in the ʼ80s, 7 born in the ʼ90s Average age is 26 years and 75 days – oldest is 37 years and 160 days, while the youngest is 18 years and 126 days 17 different birth countries represented (most in MLS): United States of America (9), Canada (4), France (2), Argentina (1), Brazil (1), China (1), England (1), Ghana (1), Jamaica (1), Japan (1), Malta (1), New Zealand (1), Saint Kitts & Nevis (1), South Africa (1), South Korea (1), Switzerland (1), Trinidad & Tabago (1) 12 first year Whitecaps FC MLS players: Alderson, Barbara, Bonjour, Clarke, Franks, Klazura, Knighton, Lee, Le Toux, Davidson, Mattocks, Watson 10 international roster players: Barbara, Bonjour, Boxall, Camilo, Chiumiento, Hassli, Koffie, Lee, Mattocks, Mitchell 7 players with more than 2 years experience in MLS: Cannon, Franks, Harris, Harvey, Knighton, Le Toux, Thorrington 5 Generation adidas players: Alderson, Mattocks, Nanchoff, Salgado, Teibert 4 Green Card holders: Harris, Le Toux, Tan, Watson -- 4 Homegrown Players: Alderson, Clarke, Sylvestre, Teibert 3 Expansion Draft selections: Cannon, Harris, Thorrington -- 3 SuperDraft selections: Mattocks, Nanchoff, Salgado -2 Supplemental Draft selections: Boxall, Klazura 2 players have played in the FIFA World Cup: DeMerit (USA - 2010), Lee (South Korea - 2002, 2006, 2010) 1 Designated Player: Eric Hassli * These numbers do not include pre-signed 33-year-old Scottish international Barry Robson
WHITECAPS FC - PLAYER PROFILES Goalkeeper #1 Joe Cannon has played more than 300 MLS regular season games and in his 15th MLS season. Cannon joined Whitecaps FC after being selected in the eighth round of the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. A two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, the former San Jose Earthquakes shot-stopper played for the previous edition of the Earthquakes, Colorado, and LA. This included an MLS Cup title with San Jose in 2001. Last year, Cannon started 20 regular season matches, as well as one Canadian Championship game. 2012: Started all ten MLS matches; first four matches did not concede a goal. Won MLS Save of the Week in Week 2 and 3. Started both legs of the Amway Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC. Goalkeeper #18 Brad Knighton joined Whitecaps FC on Jan. 17, 2012, after spending 2011 with NASL side Carolina RailHawks. A former New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union shot-stopper, Knighton became the first player from the U. of North Carolina Wilmington to sign with MLS when he joined the league back in 2007. 2012: Made his Whitecaps FC debut in Vancouver 1-0 win over Chivas USA on Mar. 17, replacing an injured Cannon in the 41st minute. Started all three MLS Reserve League matches. Started the ACC matches against FC Edmonton on May 2 and May 9.
Goalkeeper #24 Brian Sylvestre is just 19-years-old and is in his second MLS season with the club. The native of Hollywood, Florida, arrived in Vancouver in Feb. 2010, as a member of clubʼs Residency program. 2012: Recovering from right knee surgery on Sep. 6, 2011. Centre back #2 Michael Boxall joined Vancouver's MLS roster on Mar. 17, 2011, after being the top pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft on Jan. 18. He started all but one of his 19 appearances during his rookie season for Whitecaps FC. Boxall has represented New Zealand at the U-20, U-23, and senior international levels including three starts for the All Whites during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. The native of Auckland, New Zealand, enjoyed four seasons in NCAA Division I with the U. of California, Santa Barbara. 2012: Started all three MLS Reserve League matches. Currently away on international duty with New Zealand.