VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the additions of midfielder/striker Paulo Jr., as well as strikers Tom Heinemann and Corey Hertzog. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Paulo Jr. – Whitecaps FC midfielder/striker
- Selected by Whitecaps FC with the 10th pick in Stage 2 of the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft on December 14, 2012
- Scored seven goals and registered seven assists in 43 matches across all competitions for Real Salt Lake (2010-2012)
Tom Heinemann – Whitecaps FC striker
- Scored three goals and added one assist in two seasons with Columbus Crew
- Played part of the 2010 season under head coach Martin Rennie at Carolina RailHawks
Corey Hertzog – Whitecaps FC striker
- Spent the last two seasons with the New York Red Bulls after being their first selection (13th overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft
- Led NCAA Division I with 20 goals scored in 2010
“Paulo Jr. is a tricky midfielder and brings good pace to the wing, Tommy is a big forward who holds the ball well and offers us something a little different than the rest of our forwards and Corey is a smart player with natural goal scoring ability,” said Martin Rennie, Whitecaps FC head coach. “All three players are capable of contributing to our attack, but they will need to work hard to earn a regular spot on the roster.”
Paulo Jr., who turns 24 today, comes to Vancouver after being selected by Whitecaps FC with the 10th pick in Stage 2 of the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft on December 14, 2012. Previously, the Brazilian spent the last three seasons with Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake after originally being acquired on loan from North American second division club Miami FC. During his time in Utah, Paulo Jr. scored seven goals and registered seven assists in 43 matches across all competitions.
Prior to his move to RSL, Paulo Jr. played three seasons for Miami FC (now Fort Lauderdale Strikers). The native of Teresina, Brazil, then returned to the club on a short loan spell during the 2012 season. In total, the 5-foot-7, 158-pound striker scored 17 goals and registered eight assists for the Florida-based club in 46 appearances.
Starting his career in his home country, Paulo Jr. made his professional debut with Itu, São Paulo side Ituano Futebol Clube in 2008 after making his way through the youth ranks. The talented attacking player also spent time with the youth teams of Teresina, Piauí club Esporte Clube Flamengo.
Heinemann, 25, joins Whitecaps FC after spending the past two seasons with Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound striker started 12 of his 29 appearances for the Crew, scoring three goals and adding one assist.
Prior to joining the Crew, Heinemann scored 10 goals and added seven assists in 46 appearances with Charleston Battery in the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1). During the 2010 season, the native of St. Louis, Missouri, helped Charleston win the USL Second Division title, was selected to the USL All-League First Team, and was named the USL-2 Championship MVP. Following the USL-1 season, Heinemann was loaned to United States Soccer Federation Division-2 Pro League side Carolina RailHawks, where he played under Rennie. In 12 matches, Heinemann scored six goals to help the RailHawks reach the USSF D-2 Championship final.
In college, Heinemann attended Rockhurst University in Kansas City from 2006 to 2008 and was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and adidas NCAA Division II men’s All-America team in both his sophomore and junior years. In between his collegiate seasons, Heinemann played in the USL Premier Development League (PDL) with St. Louis Lions, scoring 35 goals in 36 matches over three seasons.
Hertzog, 22, joins Whitecaps FC after spending the past two seasons with New York Red Bulls, making seven first team appearances and scoring one goal in US Open Cup action. A member of MLS 2011 Generation adidas class, Hertzog was selected by the Red Bulls with their first selection (13th overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
During the 2012 season, the 6-foot, 175-pound striker was loaned to Wilmington Hammerheads of the United Soccer Leagues Professional Division (USL PRO), registering 11 goals and five assists in 20 matches.
From 2008 to 2010, Hertzog played National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer for Penn State University. As a member of the Nittany Lions, the Reading, Pennsylvania, native scored 33 goals and recorded 14 assists in 61 matches. In 2010, his junior year, Hertzog led NCAA Division I in goals scored when he connected 20 times and was named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy – annual NCAA award present to the nation’s best college soccer player. In between his collegiate seasons, Hertzog played for Reading United A.C of the USL Premier Development League (PDL), scoring four goals and recording one assist in 12 matches.
Paulo Morais de Araujo Junior (Paulo Jr.)
Position: Midfielder/striker
Height: 5-08
Weight: 160
Born: January 23, 1989 in Teresina, Brazil
Hometown: Teresina, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil
Last Club: Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer)
How Acquired: Selected by Whitecaps FC with the 10th pick in Stage 2 of the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft on December 14, 2012. Signed on January 22, 2013
Tom Heinemann
Position: Striker
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
Born: April 23, 1987, in St Louis, Missouri
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Citizenship: American
College: Rockhurst University in Kansas City
Last Club: Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
How Acquired: Acquired by Whitecaps FC as a free agent on January 22, 2013
Corey Hertzog
Position: Striker
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Born: August 1, 1990 in Reading, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania
Citizenship: United States
College: Penn State University
Last Club: New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
How Acquired: Acquired by Whitecaps FC as a free agent on January 22, 2013
Whitecaps FC 2013 MLS season tickets start at $349, 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 Pitchside Club and suites, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
