DARREN Mattocks will become the 14th Jamaican playing in United States Major League Soccer (MLS) when the new season gets underway on March 10.

The 21-year-old, second overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft last Thursday, will boot up for Vancouver Whitecaps as they enter their second season.

The Whitecaps described the six-foot striker from the University of Akron in Ohio as “a speedy goalscorer with game-changing qualities”.

Head coach Martin Rennie said: “Darren has great pace and an ability to get behind the opposition. He has power, athleticism and a good eye for the goal, which is always hard to find.

“He also brings a solid scoring record and we’re extremely pleased we were able to select Darren.”

As a Generation Adidas player, Mattock, who played for Bridgeport and Waterhouse FC, will earn a higher salary than the league minimum which in his case may be worth US$200,000.

His contract also enables to him to continue his college education on a scholarship should his professional career not work out.

Mattock lef Akron after two years as a sophomore, scoring 21 goals along with four assists in 22 appearances for the Zips in the NCAA Division One in the 2011 season.

He was named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Year and to the All-MAC First Team for a second straight year.

The MAC comprises 12 colleges and univerities from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and New York.

In 2010, as a freshman, Mattocks copped the MAC Newcomer of the Year after finishing third in NCAA Division I scoring (second among freshmen) with 18 goals and five assists in 25 appearances for the Zips. Only Penn States’s Corey Hertzog, 20 goals, and Michigan’s Soony Saad, 19 goals, bettered the Jamaican.

A native of Portmore, Mattocks said it was first time in Canada. “I’m very excited. It’s always going to be a challenge coming to a new environment, but hopefully, I can adjust quickly and show my stuff.”

Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi acknowledged to reporters that Mattocks speed was central to scoring 39 goals in 47 college matches.

“He’s got something that is very unique. That kind of breakaway speed to get in behind teams is something that most clubs would crave,” explained Lenarduzzi, who played for Canada at the 1986 World Cup.

“We’re excited about having that type of player. It’s the type of player we’ve been looking for — to kind of get defences to not to be pushing up high and be worried about the fact he can get in behind him.”

Mattocks will join Omar Cummings of Colorado Rapids, Ryan Johnson of Toronto FC, and O’Brian White of Seattle Sounders as strikers in the MLS.

But with the Whitecaps boasting two successful strikers in Brazilian Camilo Sanvezzo, 12 goals last season, and Frenchman Eric Hassli, 10 goals, Mattocks may be used in an offensive midfield position, like fellow compatriots Khari Stephenson of San Jose Earthquakes and Dane Richards of New York Red Bulls.