After selecting striker Omar Salgado first overall, Vancouver Whitecaps FC completed the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by selecting Generation adidas (Generation adidas player salaries do not count against the club's salary cap) midfielder Michael Nanchoff (eighth overall), midfielder/striker Jeb Brovsky (19th overall), and defender Bilal Duckett (37th overall).
Having acquired a second first-round pick from Canadian rivals Toronto FC for 2010 MLS Expansion Draft selection Nathan Sturgis, the 'Caps selected Nanchoff from the University of Akron. A native of North Royalton, Ohio, the 22-year-old was a member of the Zips squad that claimed the 2010 NCAA College Cup title. It was the first NCAA Division I national championship to be won in any sport by a University of Akron varsity team.
The 5-foot-8, 150-pound, midfielder was named to the All-Mid American Conference First Team in 2009 and 2010, while he was also selected to the 2010 NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team.
With the first pick of the second round, the Blue and White selected Brovsky from the University of Notre Dame. A withdrawn striker, who can also play in midfield, the 22-year-old was named to the 2010 All-Big East Conference First Team in his senior year with the Fighting Irish.
During his four-year career at Notre Dame, the native of Lakewood, Colorado, was also a three-time member of the All-Big East Conference Championship Team and a four-time Big East Conference Academic All-Star selection.
Vancouver's final SuperDraft selection was the first pick of the third round, with the 'Caps returning to the University of Notre Dame to select Duckett. A native of Peachtree City, Georgia, the 22-year-old was the Fighting Irish's starting right fullback during his junior and senior year.
At 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds, Duckett is considered a very good athlete with two good feet, tremendous speed, and fine leaping ability in the air. Majoring in IT Management, the defender was a Big East Conference Academic All-Star selection in 2009 and 2010.
Whitecaps FC 2011 Major League Soccer season tickets start at a base price of $319, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order, and more than 60 per cent of seats are available for less than $31 per game. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, Whitecaps FC created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, Whitecaps FC have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. In 2011, Whitecaps FC will begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver.
