The Stuff article to which you refer
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/88418534/young-kiwi-footballer-drafted-by-vancouver-whitecaps-in-second-round-of-mls-super-draft
Actually I note Kip Colvey signed In January last year as 49th MLS draft pick, was then on trial with San Jose and was offered a full time contract about 6 weeks later in early March 2016.
Fingers crossed deVreis can do the same.