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January 13, 2017 |
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Los Angeles, California - The Vancouver Whitecaps added much-needed positional depth by drafting Jake Nerwinski and Francis de Vries in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Nerwinski, the University of Connecticut product, was selected 7th overall. He brings character, poise, and speed to the right-back position. Francis de Vries was selected 29th overall by the Whitecaps in the second round.
Vancouver Whitecaps Manager, Carl Robinson, was pleased to add Nerwinski and de Vries in the opening rounds of the draft. Vancouver needs to improve on defense and these additions left Robinson thrilled with the clubs selections.
"I'm very happy," said Robinson. "Every manager will tell you they got who they wanted. We took a risk on Jacob in terms of how high people predicted he would go. What we saw at the combine and, what we know about him, the references we picked up on him. Also when we sat down with him. It wasn't a risk for us at all. It's pleasing when you get a lot of teams telling you afterwards that they were going to pick him in the 8th, 9th, 10th pick afterwards. We're happy with that, and obviously Francis in the second round, we're also delighted. Another good character, and a positional need for us. (He's) another player with huge potential."
Nerwinski wasn't expected to go as high as 7th overall. The 22 year-old was able to raise his stock with a successful showing at the MLS Combine. The combine testing portion peaked Vancouver's interest and there was no doubt Nerwinski was the player Vancouver wanted.
"I think that definitely did a lot," said Nerwinski. "Not a lot of teams knew who I was coming into it. I think after the first day with the performance testing. I think I was able to let people know who I am as a player."
The six-foot, Nerwinski is a three-time First Team All-American. His strength, pace, and football smarts bring exactly what Whitecaps FC need at full-back. Contributions from the full-back are sorely missed in Vancouver. Nerwinski is hoping he can help out.
"I think I can be a really athletic person with speed," said Nerwinski. "I think I can get up and down and play defense, and help out in the offensive third as well."
Vancouver's offseason addition of Sheanon Williams should plant him as Vancouver's starting right-back. Nerwinski is also strictly a right-back. With a good preseason camp in Wales, he should be able to push Williams and provide cover at right-back this season.
The Lawrenceville, New Jersey native had an idea that Vancouver was interested in him.
"Yeah, I did. I was talking to my agent, and they said they might be interested. It was all up in the air, so I wasn't completely sure."
Nerwinski is looking forward to meeting his new Vancouver Whitecaps FC teammates. He's a massive Kekuta Manneh fan, and he has previously played against Caps centre-back Tim Parker in Big East conference play.
"I'm a fan, I like watching him (Kekuta Manneh) play, he's a really exciting player. I actually played against Tim (Parker) my freshman and sophomore year."
The Nerwinski family visited Vancouver during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Being in a fantastic city like Vancouver offers an unlimited amount of activities. Football will obviously be the main focus for Nerwinski, but he does have a few other hobbies.
"It's just beautiful," said Nerwinski. "There's a lot of places to go. Hiking, exploring, I think the city is awesome. It's a good life to it."
The injury to David Edgar has left Vancouver with a glaring absence at centre-back. The Caps made sure to draft a defender that can help fill that void. Saint Francis University product Francis de Vries could not contain his excitement when his name was called.
"I think elation would be a good word for it. It's been a lot of years to wait for an opportunity like this. I'm very thankful to Vancouver for giving me a chance. I look forward to doing my best in pre-season and trying to earn a place there."
Vancouver has picked up another player who can provide depth and cover at centre-back. You can never have enough player’s avaialble to play in central defense. The six-foot and three inch de Vries brings strength, agility, and toughness that Vancouver fans will love.
"I think number one, my mentality, (I'm) competitive," revealed de Vries. "I will do anything for the team, work hard, and I try to make other guys around me better through communication. On the ball, I have some significant strengths. Distributing out of the back, range of passing. In terms of grit, defensive clearances. I think I'm decent at that as well. I hope to improve as preseason goes on, and maybe I'll have a few other things to tell you in the future."
A native of Christchurch, New Zeland, de Vries will provide strong competition for the Caps abundance of centre-backs. Carl Robinson is excited by what de Vries can offer Vancouver.
"We've got young centre-backs, we know that. We've got Kendall (Waston), David (Edgar) has gone down injured. We've got Timmy (Parker), Christian (Dean), and Cole (Seiler). He will provide compeition there. We're also thinking about bigger picture stuff. Again, he's good character which is important. We need to draft good people for the club. He's got a huge upside as well."
While Whitecaps FC fans might not be thrilled with Vancouver drafting a pair of defenders. The Caps will be making additions in the scoring department well before opening MLS kickoff. Carl Robinson won't be letting scoring woes linger into 2017.
"Listen we're looking for centre-forwards, attacking players. We've got some exciting wingers ourselves on our roster with Kekuta, Alphonso (Davies), Christian Bolanos, and Cristian Techera. We're looking in the forward areas, we know that. We do a lot of work behind he scenes, and hopefully they'll be coming soon."
There are many ways to build an MLS team. The draft is a joyous occasion for players, clubs, coaches, friends and family in attendance. Some will go on to have fantastic careers in MLS. Time will tell, but for now every player is seen as a terrific selection.
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