Darren Mattocks

PROFILE
A speedy goalscorer with game-changing qualities, striker Darren Mattocks joined Whitecaps FC after being the second overall pick in the 2012 Major League Soccer SuperDraft in Kansas City, Missouri. A two-year standout at the University of Akron, Mattocks helped the Zips to the 2010 NCAA College Cup title as a freshman. The native of Portmore, Jamaica, signed a Generation adidas contract with MLS on Dec. 20, 2011.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2012: Mattocks was selected second overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on Jan. 12. After a promising preseason, the striker made his MLS debut for Whitecaps FC as a late substitute during a 2-0 home win over Canadian arch-rivals and league expansion club Montreal Impact on Mar. 10. The Jamaican replaced fellow striker Eric Hassli in the dying stages of the season opener. Mattocks scored his first professional goal in the Amway Canadian Championship, as Whitecaps FC won 3-1 at home to North American Soccer League side FC Edmonton in the second leg of their semifinal on May 9. Vancouver won the semifinal series 5-1 on aggregate.

COLLEGE
Mattocks enjoyed two outstanding seasons in NCAA Division I at the University of Akron after being scouted in Jamaica by Zips head coach Caleb Porter. 2011: As a sophomore, Mattocks finished second in scoring in NCAA Division I with 21 goals in 22 appearances with the Zips. His efforts made him a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy as the top male player in NCAA Division I soccer that year. He was named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year and to the All-MAC First Team for a second straight year. A five-time MAC Player of the Week, Mattocks found the back of the net more than twice in a single match on six occasions. He registered his second career hat-trick for Akron during a 3-0 victory at the University of Tulsa on Sept. 24 before striking his third career hat-trick during the Zips’ 5-2 win at the University of Buffalo on Oct. 21. In the NCAA Championship Tournament, Mattocks scored the third goal in Akron’s 3-1 home win over Northwestern University in the first round on Nov. 17. In the second round, the Caribbean forward scored twice - including the match winner - as the Zips defeated sixth-seeded Southern Methodist University 3-2 at home to reach the ‘Round of 16’. Akron’s quest to defend their NCAA College Cup title ended at the ‘Round of 16’ stage following a 1-0 away defeat to College Cup finalists in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Nov. 27. 2010: As a freshman, Mattocks led Akron to the NCAA College Cup title - the first Division I national championship to be won in any sport by a University of Akron varsity team. He was named MAC Newcomer of the Year after finishing third in NCAA Division I scoring (second among freshmen) with 18 goals in 25 appearances for the Zips. The striker’s efforts also earned him Freshman All-American honours with College Soccer News, Goal.com, Soccer America, and Top Drawer Soccer, as well as a spot on the All-MAC First Teem. The striker scored multiple goals in four matches that year, including a pair of goals during a 5-0 victory at Oakland University on Oct. 6. His first career hat-trick for the Zips came in a 4-0 home win over the University of Buffalo on Oct. 16. Mattocks also played a crucial role in Akron’s run to their fourth consecutive MAC Tournament championship title. He struck the match winner in a 3-1 semifinal win over the University of Buffalo on Nov. 12 before finding the back of the net twice in a 4-0 victory over Western Michigan University in the MAC Tournament championship final on Nov. 14. The Caribbean forward also played a role in Akron’s historical run to their first NCAA College Cup title. He scored twice in a 3-2 home win over West Virginia University in the second round of the NCAA Championship Tournament on Nov. 21 before striking the match winner in 2-1 home win over Indiana University in the ‘Round of 16’ on Nov. 28.

INTERNATIONAL
Senior: In Dec. 2011, Mattocks earned a call-up to a four-day training camp with the full Jamaica squad by Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore. U-23: Mattocks was a member of Jamaican U-23 Olympic team player pool, having trained with the squad in the summer of 2011.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
A prolific striker as a youngster, Mattocks is the all-time leading scorer with 54 goals and 25 assists for Bridgeport High School in his hometown of Portmore, Jamaica. This included 18 match-winning goals for Bridgeport. He was also the leading goalscorer for the U-21 squad of Jamaican National Premier League outfit Waterhouse Football Club, who are based in the country’s capital of Kingston.

PERSONAL
Mattocks was born and raised in the Jamaican coastal city of Portmore, which is based in the parish of Saint Catherine. The striker’s parents are Lasmine Montegue and David Mattocks. As a student at the University of Akron, Mattocks was majoring in marketing management.