BURNABY, B.C. – Simon Fraser men's soccer defender Simone Masi has signed a contract to play with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.

"I am beyond excited to continue my career with the Whitecaps and grateful for the opportunity their giving me to take my career to the next step as well as a step closer to becoming a pro," said Masi. "It wasn't an easy decision leaving the SFU soccer program along my coaches and my teammates, but I know it was the right step in my pursuit to sign with a professional team and play at the top level."

Masi had an outstanding debut NCAA season with SFU, starting every one of the team's 16 games in 2021, recording a goal and an assist. He helped SFU achieve a 1.25 goals against average, second best in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, a .737 save percentage and just 4.75 shots against on average per game.

From Burnaby, B.C., Masi was a unanimous selection to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men's Soccer All-Conference First Team. He was the only freshman to make the First Team.

Masi earned a place the 2021 NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) All-West Region Team.

"I cannot thank (SFU head coach) Clint (Schneider) and the SFU coaching staff enough," said Masi. "Coming into the program as a freshman, I was fortunate to have the coaches place so much faith in me on the pitch. Giving 100 per cent of myself every single game along with the help of my teammates is the reason behind me having such a strong season as a freshman. Personally, I couldn't have done it without my coaches' and teammates' guidance, I will forever be grateful for that. The recognition I received this season was truly humbling, it has brought me one step closer to my ultimate dream. I couldn't be happier. Thank you to everyone who supported me and believed in me."
 

The Whitecaps FC 2 will compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT Pro, which is kicking off its inaugural season this month. The team will play out of Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.

"We are so excited about Simone getting an opportunity to pursue his professional aspirations," said SFU head coach Clint Schneider. "Simone is a fantastic footballer but an even better person," remarked Schneider. "He has an outstanding mentality and has all of the ingredients to make it. Our team prides itself as being a platform to push players on, and he joins a long list of former SFU players reaching the pro ranks."

Some of the program's most recent alumni to play professional soccer include: Derrick Bassi, Luca Bellisimo, Jovan Blagojevic, Mamadi Camara (currently at FC Edmonton, Canadian Premier League), Paris Gee, Colin Jacques, Marcello Polisi (HFX Wanderers, CPL), Matteo Polisi (Pacific FC, CPL), and Leigh Sembaluk.

FC Edmonton is led by former SFU head coach Alan Koch.

For the latest information on SFU Athletics, visit https://athletics.sfu.ca. You can also find us on social media at @SFU_Athletics.

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