Whitecaps FC add offense with fourth and fifth picks in MLS draft

The Vancouver Whitecaps hope they have added offense with the addition of a pair of strikers in the first round of today's Major League Soccer Superdraft. The 'Caps grabbed the fourth overall selection from Toronto in exchange for the 10th pick and allocation money and used the selection on Gambian Kekuta Manneh from the Austin Aztex of the United Soccer League. The 18-year-old scored 12 times in 13 appearances with the Aztex last season and notched 58 goals in his final two seasons with the United States Soccer Development Academy. Manneh spent some time in Vancouver in December training with the Whitecaps.

With the fifth selection, the 'Caps landed Erik Hurtado from Santa Clara University. The 22-year-old scored 15 goals last season and 33 over his four year NCAA career. In each of his final three college seasons, Hurtado was named to the West Coast Conference all-star team.

The Whitecaps begin their 2013 Major League Soccer season March 2 at home against Toronto.

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