Expansion side adds defenders Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Joel Johnson, 18-year-old El Salvador youth international Bryan Vásquez | Image Credit: Valour FC, Charlotte Independence, FC Cincinnati 2
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Westchester SC today announced the addition of veteran defenders Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Joel Johnson and 18-year-old El Salvador youth international Bryan Vásquez, pending league and federation approval.
"One of the key elements of our club will be making sure we have both depth and experience, and our latest three signees continue to add to both areas for us," said Simon Baines, Sporting Director of WSC. "All three will fit well into the structure we are creating."
32-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y. native and former Haiti international Andrew Jean-Baptiste joins Westchester SC with over a decade of professional experience, most recently with Canadian Premier League side Valour FC in 2023. Baptiste starred at the University of Connecticut, earning 2011 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year before being selected eighth overall by the Portland Timbers in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.
He played in MLS for Portland, Chivas USA and the New York Red Bulls between 2012-15, before heading abroad to join Swedish side Nyköpings BIS in 2016. In February 2019, Jean-Baptiste continued his European career until 2020, when he joined Canadian Premier League side Valour FC, where he played from 2020-23. As a former Haiti international, Jean-Baptiste tallied 12 caps for the Grenadiers between 2015-22.
32-year-old Spanish defender Joel Johnson reunites with former Charlotte Independence assistant coach Dave Carton in New York. The Liberia international is Charlotte's all-time appearances leader with 220 matches played with the club across all competitions.
Johnson made his professional debut with Valencia B in the Spanish third tier at 17 in 2007. Johnson played a combined 44 matches with Valencia B in the Spanish third division. In 2010 he made his La Liga debut in a 0-0 draw with Real Racing Club and also appeared on the bench for Valencia in a pair of UEFA Europa League contests.
Before Johnson joined the Independence, he played with Real Madrid C from 2012-14 and made a combined 50 appearances with one goal. Johnson played with Real Jaén CF of the Spanish Segunda Division B in 2015 and scored one goal in 16 appearances before moving to CD Buñol later in the year.
18-year-old Bryan Vásquez officially joins the professional ranks with the club having previously made one appearance as an amateur signing for FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS NEXT Pro during the 2024 season. The midfielder has previously made two appearances for the El Salvador U-20 national team at the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship.