Greg Janicki

PROFILE

A centre back with experience of Major League Soccer, the USSF D-2 Pro League, and the USL Second Division, Greg Janicki joined Whitecaps FC's inaugural MLS roster on Dec. 10, 2010, after a fine season with Vancouver at the North American soccer division level. The New Baltimore, Michigan, native previously played in MLS as a member of D.C. United.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

2008: After completing the USL-2 season with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Janicki made the jump to MLS when he joined D.C. United on loan for the remainder of the season, having signed a developmental contract on Sept. 12. The defender made three regular season appearances for the Washington, D.C., outfit, with his league debut coming in the goalless away draw versus Houston Dynamo on Oct. 12. Janicki also started three matches in Group A of the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League, with his United debut taking place during a 1-0 home defeat to Mexican club Cruz Azul on Oct. 1. His only goal for the club came in the competition, as United lost 4-2 at home to Honduras' Club Deportivo Marathon on Oct. 29. 2009: After signing an MLS senior contract with United in Dec. 2008, Janicki started all but two of his seven appearances during the regular season, with the defender also making five starts in United's run to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final and a further two starts for the club in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League. He also started in United's high-profile friendly versus Real Madrid on Aug. 9, with the Spanish giants winning the contest 3-0. Janicki was released by United on Nov. 30.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

2010: Janicki was named USSF D-2 Pro League Defensive Player of the Year and to the league's Best XI, alongside teammates Jay Nolly and Martin Nash, after helping Whitecaps FC surrender a league low 22 goals during the regular season. He made his competitive debut for Whitecaps FC when he started the season opener on Apr. 11, as Vancouver won 2-0 at home to NSC Minnesota Stars. The centre back then scored his first-ever Whitecaps FC goal during a 2-0 home win over Rochester Rhinos on May 22. Janicki then scored the equalizer in a 2-1 victory away to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact on June 30. Less than a month later, Janicki struck the winner against the Impact in Montreal on July 28, as the Whitecaps won 1-0 at Stade Saputo. His fourth goal of the season on Sept. 11 became the third-straight goal that the centre back scored away from home, as he headed Vancouver's winner in a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace Baltimore.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES SECOND DIVISION

2008: Janicki started his professional career when he signed for USL-2 club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The defender appeared in all but six of the Pennsylvania outfit's regular season matches that year, with the Riverhounds missing out on the USL-2 playoffs after finishing eighth in the league standings. His only point came when he assisted on striker Jean Jerome's match-winning goal during Pittsburgh's 2-0 home win over Western Mass Pioneers on July 5. The defender also appeared in both of Pittsburgh's matches in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup that year. He was a substitute in the 4-0 first-round win over Chicago-based amateur side AAC Eagles on June 10 before starting the 3-0 second-round defeat to former USL-1 club Rochester Rhinos on June 24. 

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

2006: During his time at Michigan State University, Janicki played in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), starting with a brief spell at Michigan Bucks. Janicki made just five league appearances for the club, as the Bucks went on to win the PDL championship that season. On July 12, the defender also appeared as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 defeat to MLS club Columbus Crew during the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. 2007: Janicki then moved to West Michigan Edge and appeared in all but one of the club's 16 matches in the PDL's Central Conference, Great Lakes Division. His only PDL goal came during a 4-1 victory at Cleveland Internationals on May 27. 

COLLEGE

Janicki enjoyed a productive four-year NCAA Division I career with Michigan State University. 2003: The defender made four substitute appearances during his freshman year with the Spartans. 2004: Janicki started all 20 matches for the Spartans during his sophomore year, with the defender recording an assist on striker John Minagawa-Webster's goal during a 2-0 home win over Loyola University Chicago on Oct. 6. He was also named to the All-Big Ten Conference Academic Team. 2005: Janicki started all of his 19 appearances as a junior, with the defender recording two assists that season. His first assist came on striker Zac Scaffidi's goal during a 2-1 victory over the University of Massachusetts on Sept. 4. He then assisted on Steve Doster's goal during a 3-1 win over Bowling Green State University on Sept. 29. 2006: Janicki was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas All-Great Lakes Region Second Team and the All-Big Ten First Team after scoring two goals and recording one assist as a senior. The defender scored in a 2-0 win over Valparaiso University on Oct. 18 before striking the double overtime winner on Oct. 22, as the Spartans defeated Northwestern University 2-1. 

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR

A soccer standout at Anchor Bay High School in his hometown of New Baltimore, Michigan, Janicki set a school record after scoring 74 goals and recording 32 assists over three seasons at Anchor Bay. As a senior, the defender placed third in voting for Michigan's Mr. Soccer Award, while he earned a spot in the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association's Dream Team in Nov. 2002. Janicki also earned All-State Second Team honours as a junior, while he also claimed league and district Most Valuable Player honours at Anchor Bay. Janicki also attended Ashley Elementary and Lighthouse Elementary schools in New Baltimore, Michigan. The defender also played youth soccer in Michigan for Fraser Turbos and USL (United Soccer League)Team United. 

PERSONAL

Born in Rochester, Michigan, Janicki was raised in the Macomb County city of New Baltimore, Michigan, which is based on the shores of Lake St. Clair. A talented athlete, the defender also excelled in basketball and track & field at Anchor Bay High School before earning Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging at Michigan State University. The defender is engaged to his fiancée Jaime, while his parents are Chris and David Janicki. He also has a brother named Andy. 

INTERESTING FACTS

Janicki is an admirer of English Premier League side Liverpool and their captain Steven Gerrard. Having grown up near Detroit, Michigan, the defender is a fan of the city's four professional teams - National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings, National Football League's Detroit Lions, National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, and Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers. A Michigan State University alumnus, Janicki is a big supporter of the Spartans' sports teams, particularly the University's basketball, football, and soccer teams. When not concentrating on his soccer career, Janicki enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking. His favorite television shows are 'Family Guy' and 'Seinfeld', while he also enjoys listening to classic rock music.