Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce the signing of defender Chris Pozniak – pending international clearance. Pozniak last played with Chivas USA of Major League Soccer (MLS).
"Chris brings a wealth of experience and quality to our back end," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. "The signing of Chris made sense for a number of reasons for both the club and Chris. Chris was looking for a team that would be able to use his services for the next six weeks before allowing him to explore opportunities in Europe. We are currently playing through a busy stretch in our schedule and have sustained some recent injuries. This is a win-win for both club and player."
In four games with Chivas USA this season, Pozniak started three and recorded 311 minutes. Last year, Pozniak was a regular with Toronto FC, also of MLS, playing 22 matches (starting 16) for 1,498 minutes and registering three assists. Following the 2007 season, Pozniak was selected by San Jose Earthquakes as the tenth pick in the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft, but was traded to Chivas USA prior to the start of the 2008 season.
The five-foot-eleven, 175-pound defender began his professional soccer career with his hometown club Toronto Lynx (then of the USL A-League) at the age of 18 in 1999. After a three-year stint with the Lynx, Pozniak transferred to Orebro Sportklubb of the Swedish top-flight Allsvenskan in September of 2001. In March 2004, Pozniak signed for two seasons with F.K. Haugesund of the Norwegian First Division.
Pozniak, who was born in Kraków, Poland, and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1990, has been capped by Canada at the U-20, U-23 and senior levels. Pozniak earned his first senior cap in the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Haiti. He has since earned 21 caps, which includes a start in Canada’s 1-0 win over Martinique last January.
Chris Pozniak’s MLS Regular Season Stats:
YEAR |
TEAM |
GP |
GS |
MIN |
G |
A |
PTS |
GW |
SH |
SOG |
FC |
FS |
C |
E |
2007 |
Toronto FC |
22 |
16 |
1498 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
22 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
2008 |
Chivas USA |
4 |
3 |
311 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
MLS Totals |
26 |
19 |
1809 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
26 |
17 |
3 |
1 |
The Whitecaps first doubleheader of the season is this Friday, May 23, as the women take on the Los Angeles Legends at 5:00 p.m. and the men face the Seattle Sounders at 8:00 p.m. Friday is also a Wendy's Family Night - four tickets and two Wendy's Kids' Meals for only $48. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) for information, or buy tickets at ticketmaster.ca.
