PORTLAND, Ore. --- Eric de Graaf (Surrey, B.C./Burnaby Central Secondary School), who is a starter for the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy U-18 team, is the latest recruit to commit to the University of Portland men's soccer program, announced first-year head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. The Pilots incoming class, which now includes six freshmen and a pair of transfers, was recently tabbed No. 17 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.
 
"Eric impressed us at our recent ID camp and demonstrated all the intangibles we look for in a Portland soccer player," said Carlin-Voigt. "He comes highly recommend by his MLS Academy coaches in Vancouver. He's had fantastic youth soccer training with the Whitecaps and he's performed well with their professional USL team. His challenge now is to make the jump from youth to college as he will be forced to play faster under more pressure."
 
De Graaf, who has spent the past three years with the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, was invited to Team Canada's U-20 National Team Camp, but he was unable to attend due to injury.
 
The Whitecaps are currently in first place of the Pacific Northwest U-17/18 Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, with only one loss in 28 games. They are currently in 12th place nationally out of 74 teams. 
 
The defender joined the Whitecaps FC after spending the previous three years with Surrey United of the BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL). In 2012, he helped Surrey United win the BCSPL League title, League Cup and Premier Cup in 2012.
 
"We always believe in signing the top players from our camp, which has proven to be a successful model over the past decade as we get to truly know them as people first," added Carlin-Voigt. "Furthermore, Eric fits into our commitment of recruiting the top student-athletes from the Pacific Northwest to play at Merlo Field. Eric's competitive grit, character and team-first mindset all fit nicely into our culture here in Soccer City USA."