Dominic Cervi
Encyclopedia
Dominic Cervi is an American soccer player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Scottish Football League First Division
club Greenock Morton
on loan from Scottish Premier League
side Celtic
.
. He played eight seasons for his youth club, Norman Celtic '86. He attended Norman North High School
, where he played soccer for all four years. He was named Oklahoma Defensive Player of the Year by The Oklahoman
during his junior and senior seasons in 2003 and 2004. He also earned three letters in basketball
, where he additionally earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004.
Cervi's great-grandparents were Italian. He received his Italian passport in May 2009, which eliminated the need to obtain a work permit
, thus making him a more appealing potential signing for European clubs.
from 2004 through 2007, making thirty-one starts for the Golden Hurricane
and earning All-Conference USA
First Team and NSCAA All-Midwest Region Second Team honors in 2007. The Golden Hurricane's best finish during Cervi's time with the team was during his first year, 2004, when the team reached the national quarterfinal at the 2004 Division I Men's College Cup
.
, but he did not sign for the club after rejecting a $32,000 contract offer from Major League Soccer
. He was the second goalkeeper taken in the draft. After a trial at 2008 FA Cup
winners Portsmouth
he was not offered a contract.
on a trial. He made two appearances for Celtic's reserve team, one in a friendly match against Manchester United
's reserves, and the other against Greenock Morton
. After receiving his Italian passport, Cervi officially joined the SPL champions.
, but did not make any appearances and returned to Celtic after the loan expired.
On 4 November 2011, Cervi joined Morton
on a short-term loan until January. He made his debut the next day in a 1-0 win over Ayr United
. Cervi declared himself delighted with the result - saying that it was every goalkeeper's dream to get a clean-sheet on their debut.
's 21-man World Cup Qualifying
roster for the home-and-home series with Barbados
on June 15 and 22, 2008.
Cervi was called up for the United States U-23 men's national soccer team as the number two keeper for the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
. He started for the USA in a 1–0 loss against Honduras
in the championship game, and again at the U-23 level in a Toulon Tournament
match against Turkey
. Cervi is now eligible to only represent the United States internationally due to his appearances against Honduras and Turkey.
On May 15, 2008, he was invited to camp for friendlies against England, Spain, and Argentina
, but made no appearances.
In 2010, he was named in the US squad that defeated South Africa
1-0 on November 17 in Cape Town
. He did not play, however, serving as second choice keeper for the match behind Brad Guzan
.
Despite having a number of call-ups to his name, Cervi has yet to appear in a match for the senior national team of the United States
.
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
club Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
on loan from Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
.
Personal life
Cervi grew up in Norman, OklahomaNorman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
. He played eight seasons for his youth club, Norman Celtic '86. He attended Norman North High School
Norman North High School
Norman North High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Norman, Oklahoma. It was established on August 21, 1997, on the grounds of what had been Longfellow Middle School since 1972.-Name and Origin:...
, where he played soccer for all four years. He was named Oklahoma Defensive Player of the Year by The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is the largest daily newspaper in Oklahoma and is the only daily newspaper that covers the entire Oklahoma City area.-Ownership:...
during his junior and senior seasons in 2003 and 2004. He also earned three letters in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, where he additionally earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004.
Cervi's great-grandparents were Italian. He received his Italian passport in May 2009, which eliminated the need to obtain a work permit
Work permit (United Kingdom)
The UK Work Permit scheme was an immigration category used to encourage skilled workers to enter the United Kingdom up till November 2008, when it was replaced by the points-based immigration system...
, thus making him a more appealing potential signing for European clubs.
Youth
Cervi attended the University of TulsaUniversity of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
from 2004 through 2007, making thirty-one starts for the Golden Hurricane
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa Golden Hurricane athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports team of the University of Tulsa. These teams are referred to as the Tulsa Golden Hurricane...
and earning All-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...
First Team and NSCAA All-Midwest Region Second Team honors in 2007. The Golden Hurricane's best finish during Cervi's time with the team was during his first year, 2004, when the team reached the national quarterfinal at the 2004 Division I Men's College Cup
2004 Division I Men's College Cup
The 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I. This year's College Cup Final Four was held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher seeded team. The final was held on...
.
Professional
Cervi was drafted by the Chicago Fire with the twelfth overall pick of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft2008 MLS SuperDraft
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the ninth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was made by the Kansas City Wizards, after acquiring the selection from the expansion San Jose Earthquakes...
, but he did not sign for the club after rejecting a $32,000 contract offer from 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...
. He was the second goalkeeper taken in the draft. After a trial at 2008 FA Cup
2008 FA Cup Final
The 2008 FA Cup Final was a football match held at Wembley Stadium on 17 May 2008 and was the final match of the 2007–08 FA Cup competition. The match was the 127th FA Cup Final, and the second to be held at the new Wembley Stadium since its redevelopment. The match was contested by Portsmouth and...
winners Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
he was not offered a contract.
Celtic
In October 2008, Cervi joined CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
on a trial. He made two appearances for Celtic's reserve team, one in a friendly match against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
's reserves, and the other against Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
. After receiving his Italian passport, Cervi officially joined the SPL champions.
Loans away from Celtic
On December 10, 2010, he was loaned out to DundeeDundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
, but did not make any appearances and returned to Celtic after the loan expired.
On 4 November 2011, Cervi joined Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
on a short-term loan until January. He made his debut the next day in a 1-0 win over Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
. Cervi declared himself delighted with the result - saying that it was every goalkeeper's dream to get a clean-sheet on their debut.
International career
Cervi was named in the United States national teamUnited 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...
's 21-man World Cup Qualifying
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
The CONCACAF qualification stage for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa consisted of 35 national teams competing for the three berths given automatically to CONCACAF by FIFA. The United States, Mexico and Honduras qualified...
roster for the home-and-home series with Barbados
Barbados national football team
The Barbados national football team, nicknamed Bajan Pride, is the national association football team of Barbados and is controlled by the Barbados Football Association. It has never qualified for a major international tournament...
on June 15 and 22, 2008.
Cervi was called up for the United States U-23 men's national soccer team as the number two keeper for the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
2008 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
The 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament was an association football tournament that took place in three venues in the United States from March 11 to March 23, 2008....
. He started for the USA in a 1–0 loss against Honduras
Honduras national football team
The Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
in the championship game, and again at the U-23 level in a Toulon Tournament
2008 Toulon Tournament
The 2008 Toulon Tournament was the 36th edition of the Toulon Tournament, and was held from 20 May to 29 May 2008. Tournament finished with the final between Italy and Chile at Stade Mayol in Toulon as Italy had the title after the final score of 1–0, scored by Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on 70th...
match against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
. Cervi is now eligible to only represent the United States internationally due to his appearances against Honduras and Turkey.
On May 15, 2008, he was invited to camp for friendlies against England, Spain, and Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, but made no appearances.
In 2010, he was named in the US squad that defeated South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
1-0 on November 17 in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. He did not play, however, serving as second choice keeper for the match behind Brad Guzan
Brad Guzan
Bradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa of the Premier League.-Early Career:...
.
Despite having a number of call-ups to his name, Cervi has yet to appear in a match for the senior national team of the United States
United 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...
.
External links
- Dominic Cervi University of Tulsa's official athletic site