Jeremiah White
Encyclopedia
Jeremiah White is an American
soccer
player. He is known for his speed and normally plays in midfield, though he can also be used as a striker
or fullback
.
for high school, and was a member of the soccer team, earning All-American honors. He also played on the Region I ODP and adidas ESP teams. White played with the youth club FC Delco while in school, and was named the club's player of the year while still a senior in high school.
White chose to play collegiate soccer for Wake Forest University
, over other top universities such as Duke
, Clemson
, Maryland
, and South Carolina
. White played as a forward during his freshman season with the Demon Deacon
s, scoring his first collegiate goal against UNC-Charlotte, a goal that won that particular match in overtime.
White's sophomore season was a stunning success, as he led the ACC
in scoring, becoming the first Wake Forest player to do so since 1983. He recorded his first career hat-trick
against the University of Richmond
during this season.
Injury plagued White's junior season at Wake Forest, keeping him out of the starting eleven until October 29. Despite the injuries, White still led the team in scoring, and was named to the All-ACC team for the second year in a row.
In 2003, White's senior year, he was named ACC Player of the Year, and was named to the All-ACC team for the third straight year.
, in January 2004, shunning offers from Major League Soccer
, where he had been drafted in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft
by the New England Revolution
. White's short time with Beograd was marred by a racism incident that occurred in March 2004, and received international media attention. White and a group of friends, including two black Brazilians, were confronted by a group of angry youth, one of whom, according to White, was "throwing around Nazi signs." Fierce words were exchanged, punches were thrown, and the groups eventually separated with no serious damage incurred. News organizations like BBC
, RAI
, and CNN
picked up on the story, and White was headline news around the world for a short time. A month later, White asked for, and was granted, release from his contract on April 6, 2004, which led to speculation that White was leaving the team as a result of the incident. White dismissed this, saying, "That's the farthest thing from the truth."
, and Belgian club K.V.C. Westerlo
. White was close to having a deal completed with Westerlo, but he instead signed with Greek Second Division
side Panserraikos on a one-year contract.
White made his debut for the club on September 19, 2004, against AEL 1964
. He had a shot stopped by the AEL keeper in the 82nd minute, but the ensuing corner kick led to the match's only goal, scored by Kelvin Sebwe
, giving Panserraikos a 1-0 win. While with Panserraikos, White was frequently played out of position as a target forward, as opposed to his preferred withdrawn striker position. Playing as a target forward is extremely unusual for a player who is only 5 feet, 8 inches tall. In addition, White claimed that the club physically altered his contract after he signed, attempting to claim that he signed for two years instead of one. White was also forced to play through injury, and eventually suffered a severe concussion that kept him out of action for two months. Following his recovery, White asked for, and after a dispute, was granted his release from the club in January 2005.
and FC Gueugnon
of French Ligue 2
. White signed with the French club on June 6, 2005, agreeing to a two-year contract.
White spent most of his early time with Gueugnon's reserve team, but eventually got his first goal of his Ligue 2
career on November 25, 2005, scoring the game-winning goal on a free kick from 28 yards out to beat Le Havre AC
. Ten games into the season, White led the team in scoring with four goals, yet still failed to see consistent playing time.
, landing trials with F.C. Lyn Oslo of the Norwegian Tippeligaen
and with AGF Aarhus
of the Danish First Division. White agreed to a three-and-a-half year contract with the Danish club on January 28, 2007. The club was relegated from the Danish Superliga
in 2006, but after signing players like Olof Persson
and Kári Árnason
, they were widely expected to make a return to the top flight for the 2007-08 season. White made his debut for AGF on April 1, 2007, starting as a midfielder against Fremad Amager. AGF won the match 4-1, with White scoring his first goal for the club in the 15th minute. AGF secured promotion to the Danish Superliga by beating Kolding 2-0 on June 17, 2007, with White playing the full 90 minutes. The 2007-08 season marks the first time White has ever played top-flight professional football. During a friendly against FC Midtjylland
over the 2007-08 winter break, White was involved in an accidental collision, which resulted in three facial fractures that required surgery. He made a speedy recovery and was back on the field in record time. The start of the 2008-09 season was marked with highs and lows under Ove Pederson's management. During the holiday break, AGF decided to move in a new direction with the hiring of Erik Rasmussen as chief trainer. The team has since hovered between 5th & 7th places while getting their new system running smoothly. In December 2009, White and AGF mutually agreed to terminate his contract 6 months early.
on January 19, 2008, in a friendly match against Sweden
. The squad was largely composed of MLS
players, with a few players from Scandinavian leagues. White came on as a substitute in the 2-0 win.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. He is known for his speed and normally plays in midfield, though he can also be used as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
or fullback
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Youth career
White attended The Haverford SchoolThe Haverford School
The Haverford School is a private, non-sectarian, all-boys college preparatory day school, junior kindergarten through grade twelve. Founded in 1884 as The Haverford College Grammar School, it is located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, nine miles northwest of Philadelphia, on Philadelphia's historic...
for high school, and was a member of the soccer team, earning All-American honors. He also played on the Region I ODP and adidas ESP teams. White played with the youth club FC Delco while in school, and was named the club's player of the year while still a senior in high school.
White chose to play collegiate soccer for Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
, over other top universities such as Duke
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, Clemson
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, and South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. White played as a forward during his freshman season with the Demon Deacon
Demon Deacon
The Demon Deacon is the mascot of Wake Forest University, a school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Probably best known for its slightly unorthodox name and appearance, the Demon Deacon has become a mainstay in the world of U.S. college mascots....
s, scoring his first collegiate goal against UNC-Charlotte, a goal that won that particular match in overtime.
White's sophomore season was a stunning success, as he led the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
in scoring, becoming the first Wake Forest player to do so since 1983. He recorded his first career hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
during this season.
Injury plagued White's junior season at Wake Forest, keeping him out of the starting eleven until October 29. Despite the injuries, White still led the team in scoring, and was named to the All-ACC team for the second year in a row.
In 2003, White's senior year, he was named ACC Player of the Year, and was named to the All-ACC team for the third straight year.
OFK Beograd
Following graduation from Wake Forest, White went to Europe, in an effort to prove that he could succeed there. He signed with Serbian club OFK BeogradOFK Beograd
Omladinski fudbalski klub Beograd, commonly referred to as OFK Beograd , is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia, more precisely from the Karaburma urban neighborhood. It currently is the oldest team playing in the Serbian SuperLiga. The name means "Youth Football Club Belgrade" in Serbian...
, in January 2004, shunning offers 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...
, where he had been drafted in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft
MLS SuperDraft
The MLS SuperDraft is an annual event, taking place in January of each year, in which the Major League Soccer teams select players who have graduated from college or otherwise been signed by the league...
by the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. White's short time with Beograd was marred by a racism incident that occurred in March 2004, and received international media attention. White and a group of friends, including two black Brazilians, were confronted by a group of angry youth, one of whom, according to White, was "throwing around Nazi signs." Fierce words were exchanged, punches were thrown, and the groups eventually separated with no serious damage incurred. News organizations like BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
, and CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
picked up on the story, and White was headline news around the world for a short time. A month later, White asked for, and was granted, release from his contract on April 6, 2004, which led to speculation that White was leaving the team as a result of the incident. White dismissed this, saying, "That's the farthest thing from the truth."
Panserraikos
After his release from Beograd, White set up a series of trials with clubs throughout Europe, including Dutch club FeyenoordFeyenoord Rotterdam
Feyenoord is a Dutch professional football club located in Rotterdam. Along with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord is one of the "big three" clubs in the Netherlands. These three clubs and Utrecht and Roda JC are the only clubs never to have been relegated from the Dutch first division...
, and Belgian club K.V.C. Westerlo
K.V.C. Westerlo
Koninklijke Voetbal Club Westerlo is a Belgian professional football club located in the city of Westerlo in the province of Antwerp. Westerlo has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since 1997–98. Their highest finish is a 6th place in 1999–2000, 2003–04 and 2008–09. They have won 1 Belgian...
. White was close to having a deal completed with Westerlo, but he instead signed with Greek Second Division
Beta Ethniki
Football League, former Beta Ethniki, is the second highest professional football league in Greece.-History:In its first years, the system of conduct was very intriguing. It began in 1954 as regional championship, separated in two groups, North and South. Then, the participating teams were the...
side Panserraikos on a one-year contract.
White made his debut for the club on September 19, 2004, against AEL 1964
AEL 1964
AEL 1964 F.C., fully the Athletic Union of Larissa 1964 , is a Greek association football club based in the city of Larissa, capital of Greece's Thessaly region. The club is also known, unofficially, as Larissa. It is the only FC outside the two big Greek cities, Athens and Thessaloniki, to have...
. He had a shot stopped by the AEL keeper in the 82nd minute, but the ensuing corner kick led to the match's only goal, scored by Kelvin Sebwe
Kelvin Sebwe
Kelvin Sebwe is a retired Liberian footballer who played as a midfielder. Sebwe was also a member of the Liberia national football team. His brother is Dionysius Sebwe...
, giving Panserraikos a 1-0 win. While with Panserraikos, White was frequently played out of position as a target forward, as opposed to his preferred withdrawn striker position. Playing as a target forward is extremely unusual for a player who is only 5 feet, 8 inches tall. In addition, White claimed that the club physically altered his contract after he signed, attempting to claim that he signed for two years instead of one. White was also forced to play through injury, and eventually suffered a severe concussion that kept him out of action for two months. Following his recovery, White asked for, and after a dispute, was granted his release from the club in January 2005.
FC Gueugnon
For the second time in six months, White found himself without a team, and again set up trials across Europe, spending time with FC Nordsjaelland of the Danish SuperligaDanish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
and FC Gueugnon
FC Gueugnon
Football Club Gueugnonnais was a French association football club based in Gueugnon. The club was formed in 1940 and played in the Championnat National, the third level of French football, before entering liquidation in April 2011. Gueugnon played its home matches at the Stade Jean Laville...
of French Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. White signed with the French club on June 6, 2005, agreeing to a two-year contract.
White spent most of his early time with Gueugnon's reserve team, but eventually got his first goal of his Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
career on November 25, 2005, scoring the game-winning goal on a free kick from 28 yards out to beat Le Havre AC
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
. Ten games into the season, White led the team in scoring with four goals, yet still failed to see consistent playing time.
AGF Aarhus
White turned his eyes towards ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, landing trials with F.C. Lyn Oslo of the Norwegian Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
and with AGF Aarhus
Aarhus Gymnastik Forening
Aarhus Gymnastikforening is one of the oldest sport clubs in Denmark. AGF participates in a variety of activities in both individual and team sports. AGF is best known for its football team which has the longest streak in the Danish top division and also holds the record for most number of cup wins...
of the Danish First Division. White agreed to a three-and-a-half year contract with the Danish club on January 28, 2007. The club was relegated from the Danish Superliga
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
in 2006, but after signing players like Olof Persson
Olof Persson
Olof Persson is a Swedish retired footballer, who currently works as Head coach of FC Rosengård.- Career :Persson played in central defence and had considerable aerial power....
and Kári Árnason
Kári Árnason
Kári Árnason is an Icelandic international footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club . He has also played for Víkingur, Djurgården, AGF Aarhus, Esbjerg fB and...
, they were widely expected to make a return to the top flight for the 2007-08 season. White made his debut for AGF on April 1, 2007, starting as a midfielder against Fremad Amager. AGF won the match 4-1, with White scoring his first goal for the club in the 15th minute. AGF secured promotion to the Danish Superliga by beating Kolding 2-0 on June 17, 2007, with White playing the full 90 minutes. The 2007-08 season marks the first time White has ever played top-flight professional football. During a friendly against FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland is a professional Danish football team from Herning and Ikast. The team is a result of a merger between Ikast FS and Herning Fremad...
over the 2007-08 winter break, White was involved in an accidental collision, which resulted in three facial fractures that required surgery. He made a speedy recovery and was back on the field in record time. The start of the 2008-09 season was marked with highs and lows under Ove Pederson's management. During the holiday break, AGF decided to move in a new direction with the hiring of Erik Rasmussen as chief trainer. The team has since hovered between 5th & 7th places while getting their new system running smoothly. In December 2009, White and AGF mutually agreed to terminate his contract 6 months early.
Al-Ettifaq
In January 2010, White signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, becoming the second American to play in a Middle Eastern country.GKS Bełchatów
In the summer 2010, he moved to Polish club GKS Bełchatów on one-year contract.Free agency
In the 2011 preseason for Major League Soccer, White was one of many people to trial with the Philadelphia Union soccer club.National team
White made his international debut for the United StatesUnited 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...
on January 19, 2008, in a friendly match against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
. The squad was largely composed of MLS
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...
players, with a few players from Scandinavian leagues. White came on as a substitute in the 2-0 win.
External links
AGF profile- National Sports Group (Player's representation)
- Jeremiah White at 90minut.pl
- Jeremiah White at National-Football-Teams.com