Steven Beitashour (left) defends against Vancouver Whitecaps forward Omar Salgado during a May 2012 Major League Soccer game at BC Place Stadium. Beitashour, an MLS all-star in 2012, was acquired by the Whitecaps in a trade on Monday.
Photograph by: Les Bazso , PNG
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps took a huge step on Monday in filling the right fullback vacancy left by the retired Y.P. Lee, acquiring all-star defender Steven Beitashour from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for allocation money.
“Steven is arguably the best right back in the league,” Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. “He is fantastic on the defensive side of the ball and his ability to join the attack will make him a great addition to our club.”
The soon-to-be 27-year-old Beitashour (his birthday is on Saturday) was a Major League all-star at right back in the league’s 2012 all-star game. He has recorded more assists than any other MLS defender over the last three seasons.
“I’m very excited about this new opportunity,” Beitashour said in a statement. “Whitecaps FC are an excellent club with fantastic supporters and a great stadium. From what I’ve seen the last few years and from my conversations with the coaching staff, this club is heading in the right direction. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and I can’t wait for our home opener on March 8 against the Red Bulls.”
Beitashour was taken in the second round (30th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the Earthquakes and spent four seasons in the Bay Area. While born in San Jose, he is of Iranian heritage and may well represent that country at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
In the meantime, he will be an immediate fix for a position left vacant by the retiring Lee, a former South Korean international who was a standout at right back for the past two seasons