Toronto FC Select Canadian Kyle Bekker in MLS SuperDraft

Toronto FC announced Thursday that the club has selected Kyle Bekker with the third overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.

Bekker, 22, spent the past four seasons at Boston College, appearing in 80 games for the Eagles, scoring 17 goals and adding 22 assists. In his Freshman year he earned ACC All-Freshman Team honours and was the only player at Boston College to start in every match. Bekker was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2011 and again this past season. He ranks second all-time at Boston College in assists.

The Oakville, Ontario native earned four caps for the U23 Canadian Men’s National Team during the 2012 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic qualifying tournament. Bekker made his debut at the age of 15 with the Canadian national youth program.

“Kyle is a player we know well and we rated him among the top players in the draft going into the combine and felt even more strongly after it,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “Our objective was to trade down so we could acquire more assets and we’re happy to accomplish that and still get the player we wanted.”

Prior to joining Boston College, Bekker played his youth soccer with the Oakville Bluestars winning the Ontario Cup championship twice (2004 and 2005) along with the national title in 2004. In 2006 he joined the Mississauga Dixie Dominators and won back-to-back Ontario Cup championships in 2006 and 2007 and added another national title in 2006. Bekker then moved onto the Sigma Elite Training Centre program prior to his collegiate career. In 2008, Bekker earned an invitation to train with AFC Ajax youth academy.

Kyle Bekker

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’10

Weight: 165

Birthdate: September 2, 1990

Birth Place: Oakville, Ontario

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario

Nationality: Canadian

Last Club: Boston College Eagles

How Acquired: Drafted third overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC on Tuesday, January 17, 2013

Pronunciation: “beck-er”