'Caps sign Mason Trafford

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce the signing of defender Mason Trafford, pending international clearance. Trafford has agreed to a one-year contact.

Trafford, 21, joins the Whitecaps after spending four years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). In his senior year, the six-foot-two, 180-pound centre back started all 18 matches for the Running Rebels, collecting one goal and one assist. In his junior year, Trafford was named captain of the Las Vegas-based squad and led them to their best season since 2002 with a 7-10-2 record. For his efforts, he was named an Honourable Mention for the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Team of the Year.

In 2006, Trafford started all 18 games for the Rebels and was named Third Team All-MPSF for his play along the backline. In his total collegiate career at UNLV, Trafford played 60 matches, scored two goals with four assists since first appearing for the school in 2004.

Trafford, born in Boynton Beach, Florida, moved to Vancouver in 1988 and played his youth soccer with the North Shore Selects. The graduate of Handsworth Secondary School also played for the British Columbia provincial team in 2000 and 2004.

Mason Trafford’s Collegiate Statistics: