C.J. Klaas
Encyclopedia
C.J. Klaas is an American soccer player who played for U.S. at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
and spent two seasons with the Seattle Sounders
in the USL First Division
.
where he played on the men’s soccer team from 2001 to 2004. He was a first team All American
in 2003 and 2004. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2005.
which competed at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
. The U.S. lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals. He played in four matches, including the loss to Argentina.
of the fourth division Premier Development League in 2001. The San Jose Earthquakes
of Major League Soccer
selected Klaas in the third round (thirty-second overall) in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft
. The Chicago Storm
of Major Indoor Soccer League also selected Klaas with the second pick of the 2005 MISL College Draft. Klaas chose not to sign with either the Earthquakes or Storm in order to finish his degree. After completing it, he joined the Seattle Sounders
of the USL First Division
. Klaas quickly cemented himself as a critical cog in the Sounders defensive scheme over the next two seasons. However, he left the Sounders after the 2006 season and apparently has not played since then.
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
and spent two seasons with the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
.
Youth
Klaas was born and raised in Illinois, playing for the Chicago Magic which won the 1999 U-17 National Championship. He then attended the University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
where he played on the men’s soccer team from 2001 to 2004. He was a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 2003 and 2004. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2005.
National team
Klaas was selected to the United States U-20 men's national soccer teamUnited States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
which competed at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
. The U.S. lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals. He played in four matches, including the loss to Argentina.
Professional
Klaas played one season with the Chicago Fire PremierChicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
of the fourth division Premier Development League in 2001. 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....
of 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...
selected Klaas in the third round (thirty-second overall) in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft
2005 MLS SuperDraft
The 2005 MLS SuperDraft, held in Baltimore, Maryland on January 14, 2005, was the sixth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Expansion club Real Salt Lake had the first pick as the result of a coin toss . RSL drafted Under-17 midfielder Nikolas Besagno with the first selection...
. The Chicago Storm
Chicago Storm
The Chicago Storm is a team in the Ultimate Soccer League that began play in the 2004-2005 season as a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League.-History:The Storm played home games during its first two seasons at the UIC Pavilion on the west side of Chicago...
of Major Indoor Soccer League also selected Klaas with the second pick of the 2005 MISL College Draft. Klaas chose not to sign with either the Earthquakes or Storm in order to finish his degree. After completing it, he joined the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. Klaas quickly cemented himself as a critical cog in the Sounders defensive scheme over the next two seasons. However, he left the Sounders after the 2006 season and apparently has not played since then.