The Vancouver Whitecaps are making a run at their third-ever playoff appearance, and they bolstered their backline with the acquisition of Costa Rican right back Jordan Smith on Friday.
Smith has spent his entire professional career with Costa Rican giants Saprissa, joining the team in 2012. In five seasons with El Monstruo Morado, the six-foot-one fullback scored nine goals in 105 regular season appearances. Smith was teammates with Whitecaps FC centre back Kendall Waston during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
During the 2014-15 season, Smith scored four goals in 32 appearances while helping Saprissa capture the 2014 Verano title. The 24-year-old also made five starts during the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League.
"We are excited to welcome Jordan to our club ahead of what is going to be a very busy stretch," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said in a release. "He is a modern attacking fullback with good pace and strong athletic ability."
On the international stage, the native of San Jose, Costa Rica has earned one senior cap with Los Ticos--a 1-0 friendly win over Canada at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta on May 28, 2013. Smith also featured for Costa Rica at the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups.
The Whitecaps also confirmed today that striker Erik Hurtado will join Norwegian side Mjøndalen IF on loan through the end of the 2015 season.
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"This is a great opportunity for Erik to play games, which is important for any young player," said Robinson. "Erik is and will continue to be an important member of our club and we're looking forward to following his progress while on loan in Norway."
Hurtado has started one of his nine MLS regular season appearances. Hurtado has also started one Amway Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions League match, as well as a pair of starts with WFC2 in the USL.
