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Brad Davis (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Brad Davis is an American
footballer who currently plays for Houston Dynamo
in Major League Soccer
.
, and joined Saint Louis University
in 2000, where he played for two seasons before leaving college soccer
for the professional ranks. While at SLU, Davis was named the Conference USA
Freshman of the Year his first year, and a second team NSCAA All-American as a sophomore.
by the MetroStars
. Davis started 12 games for the team, scoring four goals with three assists, and was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award
that ultimately went to Kyle Martino
. Although Davis was very impressive in his rookie year, when the MetroStars were taken over by Bob Bradley
, the coach overhauled the team, and Davis was one of the many players to go. He was traded to the Dallas Burn
for the fourth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft
, which Bradley used to select Mike Magee
.
Davis's first year with the Burn was contradictory, as he had a very solid season but his club was one of the worst in the history of the league. Davis led the team in scoring with six goals and five assists, and was named the Burn's MVP.
In his second year with the team, new coach Colin Clarke tried to move Davis to the center of the field to play attacking midfielder. After making little impact through several games, however, Davis returned to the left. There he had to compete with newcomer Eric Quill
for playing time. Davis finished the season with only two goals and two assists despite playing more minutes than in 2003, as the Burn yet again missed the playoffs.
He moved to the San Jose Earthquakes
for the 2005 season and made 18 MLS appearances for them, scoring two goals. Davis did not appear for them in the MLS play-offs due to a groin strain.
Following a 2011 season where he lead MLS in assists, Davis was named a finalist for Major League Soccer MVP Award
. However, despite helping the Dynamo advance to their third-ever MLS Cup
, Davis missed the final after suffering a torn quadriceps in an Eastern Conference Final win over Sporting Kansas City.
. He played for the US at the 2001 World Youth Championship in the Argentina
and the Under-23 team. Davis received his first cap for the senior team July 7, 2005 in a Gold Cup
match against Cuba
. He also converted the clinching penalty kick in the United States' shootout victory over Panama
in the Gold Cup final.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
footballer who currently plays for Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Youth and College
Davis attended high school at Chaminade College Preparatory School (Missouri)Chaminade College Preparatory School (Missouri)
Founded in 1910, Chaminade College Preparatory School is an independent Catholic Marianist school for boys in grades six through twelve. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis. The school is located in west St. Louis County, Missouri. Chaminade offers 7-day, 5-day, and...
, and joined Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 28 member institutions of the...
in 2000, where he played for two seasons before leaving college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
for the professional ranks. While at SLU, Davis was named the Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
Freshman of the Year his first year, and a second team NSCAA All-American as a sophomore.
Professional
After signing with MLS, Davis was selected third overall in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft2002 MLS SuperDraft
The 2002 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:...
by the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
. Davis started 12 games for the team, scoring four goals with three assists, and was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award
MLS Rookie of the Year Award
In the United States, Major League Soccer has handed out a Rookie of the Year Award since its inception in 1996. MLS, as opposed to other American sports leagues like Major League Baseball, only designates a player as a rookie if the player has had no prior professional experience...
that ultimately went to Kyle Martino
Kyle Martino
Kyle Martino is a retired American soccer player and currently a TV soccer color analyst.-High School:Martino attended Staples High School in Westport, CT...
. Although Davis was very impressive in his rookie year, when the MetroStars were taken over by Bob Bradley
Bob Bradley
Robert "Bob" Bradley is an American soccer coach and the current manager of the Egypt national football team, taking over in September 2011. He previously managed the United States men's national soccer team...
, the coach overhauled the team, and Davis was one of the many players to go. He was traded to the Dallas Burn
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
for the fourth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft
2003 MLS SuperDraft
The 2003 Major League Soccer SuperDraft was held January 17, 2003 in Kansas City, Missouri.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:References=* USA Today MLS Draft List...
, which Bradley used to select Mike Magee
Mike Magee (soccer)
Mike Magee is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-Professional:...
.
Davis's first year with the Burn was contradictory, as he had a very solid season but his club was one of the worst in the history of the league. Davis led the team in scoring with six goals and five assists, and was named the Burn's MVP.
In his second year with the team, new coach Colin Clarke tried to move Davis to the center of the field to play attacking midfielder. After making little impact through several games, however, Davis returned to the left. There he had to compete with newcomer Eric Quill
Eric Quill
Eric Quill is an American soccer player currently playing for Houston Leones in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
for playing time. Davis finished the season with only two goals and two assists despite playing more minutes than in 2003, as the Burn yet again missed the playoffs.
He moved to the San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
for the 2005 season and made 18 MLS appearances for them, scoring two goals. Davis did not appear for them in the MLS play-offs due to a groin strain.
Following a 2011 season where he lead MLS in assists, Davis was named a finalist for Major League Soccer MVP Award
Major League Soccer MVP Award
The Major League Soccer MVP is a soccer award for players in Major League Soccer. The award is given to the player deemed the most valuable player in the league each season. From 1996 to 2007 the award was sponsored by Honda. The award is now sponsored by Volkswagen.Preki is the only player to win...
. However, despite helping the Dynamo advance to their third-ever MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
, Davis missed the final after suffering a torn quadriceps in an Eastern Conference Final win over Sporting Kansas City.
International
Davis has played for several youth United States national teamsUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. He played for the US at the 2001 World Youth Championship in the Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and the Under-23 team. Davis received his first cap for the senior team July 7, 2005 in a Gold Cup
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the eighth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested in the United States in July 2005. The United States emerged victorious in the final against an upstart Panama team led by tournament...
match against Cuba
Cuba national football team
The Cuba national football team is the national team of Cuba and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba. They are affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF....
. He also converted the clinching penalty kick in the United States' shootout victory over Panama
Panama national football team
The Panama national football team is the national team of Panama and is controlled by the Panamanian Football Federation. Panama reached the 2006 World Cup CONCACAF Final Round in the qualifiers and finished as runners-up at the final game of the 2005 Gold Cup...
in the Gold Cup final.
San Jose Earthquakes
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Supporters Shield (1): 2005
Houston Dynamo
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
MLS Cup (2): 2006, 20072007 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2007 Major League Soccer season was the 12th season in league history. The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup 2007 on November 18, 2007 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C..... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Western Conference Championship (2): 2006, 20072007 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2007 Major League Soccer season was the 12th season in league history. The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup 2007 on November 18, 2007 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C..... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Eastern Conference Championship: 20112011 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver...