Coach’s Story:
“Having played college soccer at Notre Dame for Bobby Clark, I have had the chance to learn about the work Tommy is doing with Grassroot Soccer, and am excited to finally have the chance to get involved. As a Grassroot Soccer Ambassador, I hope to be able to use my abilities on the field for something positive off of it. Grassroot Soccer is working hard to provide vital HIV/AIDS prevention information to kids in Africa, and I am happy to support their efforts.”
Bio
MLS Experience
2006: Made 17 appearances (13 starts) while splitting his season between RSL and CHI … Traded to RSL on 7/25 from CHI in exchange for Ryan Johnson … Started all 12 games for RSL upon his arrival. 2005: Started in three of nine contests during his rookie campaign, scoring one goal across 401 minutes of action … His 93rd minute tally on 10/05 vs. MET not only marked his first career MLS tally, but produced a 2-2 draw that clinched the Fire’s return to the MLS Cup Playoffs … Appeared in two of Chicago’s three postseason contests, starting in both contests and scoring once … Made memorable playoff debut on 10/30 at DC, scoring the GWG in the 10th minute of the Fire’s 4-0 pasting of United in the decisive Game Two of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series … Played the full 90 minutes on 11/06 at NE in the Fire’s 1-0 loss in the Eastern Conference Championship.
International
Participated in U.S. National Team camps at both the U-18 and U-20 levels.
College
2004: Finished senior season at Notre Dame as one of 15 semifinals for the MAC Hermann Trophy Award … Named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year … Earned All-BIG EAST First-Team honors for the second consecutive season … Also contributed a pair of goals for the Fighting Irish … 2003: Earned First-Team All-BIG EAST honors after helping the Irish defense hold the opposition to one goal or less in 20 of their 23 contests … 2002: Started all21 games for Notre Dame en route to earning All-BIG EAST Second-Team mention … 2001: Was one of two ND freshman to see time in all 19 games, including 12 starting appearances.
High School
Finished four years at South Torrance (CA) High School as the school’s fifth-leading scorer with 124 points on 42 goals and 40 assists … Named an All-State honoree three times and earned Bay League All-Conference honors following all four seasons … Named NSCAA California Player of the Year and NSCAA All-American after senior season … Also a three-time All-California Interscholastic Federation selection … Led Breakaway Soccer Club to five state titles and a Region IV Semifinal appearance in 2000 … Was a member of the California ODP state team for five years, including its national title season of 2001.
Personal
Hobbies: Other sports, baseball, hanging with friends … Major in College: Marketing/Sociology … Most Memorable moment: Buying my first house … Favorite Music: R & B … Favorite Movie: 300 … Favorite Food: In-n-Out … Favorite Book: Anything by Dan Brown … Favorite TV Show: PTI … Favorite athlete outside of soccer: Michael Jordan … Greatest Accomplishment: Graduating from Notre Dame … Charities/Causes: Alcohol Rehab Center.
