Steven Beitashour to join Whitecaps









The Vancouver Whitecaps are set to acquire Iran international defender Steven Beitashour from the San Jose Earthquakes, multiple sources told ESPNFC.com.



Pending Beitashour’s passing of a physical, the Quakes will receive an undisclosed amount of allocation money in return for the right back, who was thought to be on his way to Europe after failing to agree on a new contract with San Jose at the end of last season.



Beitashour, 26, fills an obvious need on the right side of Vancouver’s defense following the retirement of South Korea international Young-Pyo Lee, and his ability to get forward and deliver service from wide areas will undoubtedly be a plus for new manager Carl Robinson.



Beitashour spent the last four years with San Jose after being taken in the second round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft with the 30th overall pick.



The San Diego State University product went on to make 89 regular season and playoff appearances with the Quakes, recording two goals and 16 assists. He was named to the MLS All-Star team that faced Premier League side Chelsea F.C. in 2012.



His performances at club level led to interest from U.S. national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann, and the right back was subsequently called into a pair of training camps.



But Beitashour was unable to achieve a breakthrough, and with him also holding Iranian citizenship thanks to his parents, he pledged his international future to Iran last October.



“It’s easier for people who have established themselves to be in the national team,” said Beitashour in an interview with ESPNFC.com at the time of his decision. “For me, if I don’t prove myself now, then I’ll be 31 when the next World Cup comes around. There will probably be younger, better guys than me. You just have to make the most of all the opportunities that come your way, and hopefully I will.”



He has since made three appearances for Iran, and remains hopeful of making the team’s final World Cup roster.