LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western captain
Thomas Powell (Coquitlam, B.C.) was selected by Vancouver FC in the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS Draft, as the local CPL side nabbed the Spartans third-year midfielder with the 15th overall pick during Thursday's two-round draft.
Powell is coming off a career year in which he was named a Canada West First Team All-Star after collecting four goals and four assists while starting all 16 games, including the regular season and playoffs, for the Spartans.
In three Canada West seasons, Powell has 10 goals and nine assists in 44 games. Beyond the Spartans, Powell also played with Unity FC within League 1 BC.
"I am happy for Thomas," said TWU coach
Mike Shearon. "He is a late bloomer. He has worked hard on and off the pitch to get this opportunity. He comes from a hard-working family who always try to do things the right way. They take responsibility for their actions. He is full of character and he'll show up and do the work that is needed and try to stick.
"Tommy has the ability to dribble both in open areas but also in tight spots. He has good passing range. He can score from outside the box with both feet. He is fearless inside the box and likes to press and defend. Having worked with him with both at TWU and Unity FC, I am excited to see his next steps."
Having been selected in the CPL-U SPORTS Draft, Powell can now be invited to preseason training with Vancouver FC, where he can compete for a roster spot for the 2024 CPL season.
"Another local player,
Thomas Powell, is a complete footballer who will offer us depth, consistency and
balance in the midfield," said Vancouver FC coach Afshin Ghotbi. "His ability to play in tight spaces and create scoring opportunities against compact opponents are key attributes to his success."
Powell is the fifth Spartan to be selected in the CPL-U SPORTS draft, following in the footsteps of Joel Waterman (2018, Cavalry FC, 14th.), Jake Ruby (2019, Halifax Wanderers, 14th), CJ Rossi (2022, York United, 5th) and
Brandon Torresan (2023, Pacific FC, 13th).
The draft is open to any U SPORTS underclassmen with one to four years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining, provided they are in good standing with their school's athletic program and educational institution and are planning to return to school the following year.
The CPL-U SPORTS Draft plays a key role in the men's player development pathway in Canada, serving as a critical link between the Canadian university and professional games since its inaugural iteration in 2018. The draft provides a unique opportunity for student athletes to earn professional experience while maintaining their eligibility to return to U SPORTS competition.
Previous CPL-U SPORTS Draft picks include Waterman, who was named to Canada Soccer's Men's National Team for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, as well as former Cavalry midfielder Victor Loturi, who is now representing Ross County in the Scottish Premiership; Eryk Kobza, a member of the CPL's reigning regular season-winning squad Cavalry; and Aboubacar Sissoko, a member of the reigning CPL champion Forge FC squad.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
-TW-
