Confirmed: Whitecaps not eligible for weighted lotteries until 2013 By Steven Sandor Posted on December 17, 2011 Comments Off on Confirmed: Whitecaps not eligible for weighted lotteries until 2013 0 611 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Lee Nguyen Lee NguyenThe Vancouver Whitecaps have confirmed that they will not be eligible for another MLS lottery pick until the 2013 season. The club selected American attacking midfielder yesterday after winning a weighted lottery. There was some question as to whether or not the Whitecaps would be eligible to enter another player lottery in 2012 or not. MLS rules state that once a team wins a player lottery in a season, it cannot enter another lottery for the rest of the season. But the team responded stating “we have confirmed that the next lottery we will be eligible for is for the 2013 season.” That’s the gamble of the lottery process, and a reason why only six teams put their hats in the ring for Nguyen. Over the last couple of seasons, Nguyen has put up gaudy numbers — a goal every other game — but in the Vietnamese league, which is several tiers below leagues in China and South Korea. Once you get a player, you are out for at the season. And if a better prospect comes along, you can’t vie for his talents. Since 2010, the league has held lotteries for prospects such as Luis Gil, Sal Zizzo, David Bingham, Soony Saad, Cody Arnoux, Chris Agorsor and Korey Veeder. So, they aren’t what you’d call rare occurrences.Based on the number of players we saw come into the league via the lottery over the last two seasons, you have to assume more are coming in 2012. Because of its low ranking in 2011, the Whitecaps had great odds at entering any lottering they chose. And the club chose to go in early and take itself off the picking pool. Only time will tell if that was the right strategy or not. RELATED: Whitecaps enter Nguyen sweepstakes… but what did they win? (CLICK)