Following today’s signing of goalkeeper Brad Knighton and the Major League Soccer (MLS) discovery rights acquisition of striker Etienne Barbara for MLS Supplemental Draft pick Gienir Garcia, Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected three more players in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. University of Notre Dame defender/midfielder Greg Klazura (pictured) was picked in the second round (21st overall), while University of California - Irvine, goalkeeper Andrew Fontein was selected in the third round (40th overall). Penn State University defender Mark Fetrow was then chosen in the fourth round (59th overall).
"Overall, I think we've added defensive cover, which is important,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “We've added pace and power up front, we've added a goal threat, and we've added players that give us something different to what we currently have. I think both drafts have been really good to us and it’s now up to the players to prove that they're ready to step in and be a part of the squad."
In the second round, Whitecaps FC selected Klazura, 22, from the University of Notre Dame. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound defender/midfielder served as team captain in his final season with the Fighting Irish, recording three assists, while starting all 18 matches. In 2010, the native of Rockford, Illinois, tallied one goal and one assist in 20 appearances at left fullback. His efforts that year saw him named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-Region First Team and honoured as a BIG EAST Conference Academic All-Star.
In the third round, Vancouver selected Fontein, 21, from the University of California - Irvine. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound goalkeeper finished his NCAA Division I career as the Anteaters’ all-time leader in matches played by a goalkeeper (74), wins (50), shutouts (29), goals-against-average (0.88) and winning percentage (.747). During his senior year, Fontein led the University of California - Irvine to their best-ever season with 16 wins, as the Anteaters won the Big West Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2011. His performances earned him the Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year award, while he was named to the All-Big West Conference First Team. As a freshman in 2008, the native of Las Vegas, Nevada, was named Big West Conference Co-Freshman of the Year and Big West Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player.
In the fourth round, Whitecaps FC selected Fetrow, 21, from Penn State University. During his senior year, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound defender started all 22 matches, scoring one goal, and helping Penn State post 12 shutouts during the season. As a member of the Nittany Lions, Fetrow made 81 appearances and scored four goals in four seasons.
Name: Greg Klazura
Position: Defender/midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150
Born: January 27, 1989, in Rockford, Illinois
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: University of Notre Dame (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I)
Youth Club: Rockford Raptors
How Acquired: Selected 21st overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft by Whitecaps FC on January 17, 2012
Name: Andrew Fontein
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-01
Weight: 180
Born: March 3, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: University of California - Irvine (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I)
Youth Club: Las Vegas Premier ‘89
How Acquired: Selected 40th overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft by Whitecaps FC on January 17, 2012
Name: Mark Fetrow
Position: Defender
Height: 6-05
Weight: 215
Born: January 18, 1990, in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Penn State University (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I)
Youth Club: FC Delco
How Acquired: Selected 59th overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft by Whitecaps FC on January 17, 2012
Whitecaps FC 2012 Major League Soccer season tickets start at $329, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, including loge seats and suites, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
