Josh Wicks
Encyclopedia
Josh Wicks is an American
soccer player who currently plays for IFK Mariehamn
.
, in Landstuhl
, Germany
, but grew up in San Bernardino, California
. He played college soccer
for Cal State Bakersfield, and during his collegiate off-season Wicks played one summer with Des Moines Menace
in the USL Premier Development League
.
. However, injuries to the number one keeper allowed him to appear in 13 games, including two games in the playoffs. Wicks allowed only 0.55 goals per game and his overall record was five wins, four losses, and four ties. He also recorded seven shutouts, including both playoff games.
Wicks re-signed for the Caps in 2006 and served as backup to Tony Caig
. He also helped the Caps win their first USL First Division
Championship
by beating the Rochester Raging Rhinos
3-0.
In March 2007, Wicks signed with the Portland Timbers
as one of two goalkeepers. For the season, he recorded a .603 GAA with 14 shutouts in 27 games (all league highs), earning him Goalkeeper of the Year honors. He also delivered 2 assists (good for 3rd best on the team) from his booming goal kicks.
Wicks had been on trial with Los Angeles Galaxy
during the club's pre-season, featuring in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship
in Hawaii, and featuring on their Asian tour in China and Hong Kong. Having impressed Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit
with his performances, Wicks signed a full professional contract with Galaxy on March 26, 2008. He made his MLS debut on 30 August 2008 against New England Revolution
, coming on as a second half substitute for Steve Cronin
, who had suffered an injury.
Wicks was traded to D.C. United
in return for a conditional 4th round 2010 MLS SuperDraft pick. He made his debut for United against his former club on 22 March 2009 in the 2009 MLS Season opener for both clubs.
Wicks was released by D.C. United on April 16, 2010 and subsequently moved to Finland when he signed for Veikkausliiga
club IFK Mariehamn
. He made his debut for Mariehamn on January 18, 2011 in a 4-0 victory over FC Haka
in the Finnish League Cup
.
after Burch failed to clear out of the box during a Fire free-kick. A shoving match ensued; Wicks was both praised and criticized for the incident.
Days later, on September 2, 2009, during the 2009 US Open Cup final against Seattle Sounders FC
, he intentionally stomped on an opponent, Fredy Montero, after Montero scored a goal against him. His act earned a red card and his team went on to lose the game 2-1, and the cup. He was subsequently suspended for 5 future Open Cup games.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for IFK Mariehamn
IFK Mariehamn
IFK Mariehamn is a Finnish football club, based in Mariehamn, capital of the Åland Islands. It currently plays in the Finnish Premier Division . The club's manager is Pekka Lyyski, and it plays its home matches at Wiklöf Holding Arena....
.
Early Life and Amateur
Wicks was born on a US Army base, Landstuhl Regional Medical CenterLandstuhl Regional Medical Center
The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is an overseas military hospital operated by the United States Army and the Department of Defense. LRMC is the largest military hospital outside of the continental United States. It is located near Landstuhl, Germany, and serves as the nearest treatment center...
, in Landstuhl
Landstuhl
Landstuhl , literally translating as "country-throne", is a municipality of over 9,000 people in southwestern Germany. It is part of the district of Kaiserslautern, in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and is home to the Sickinger Schloss, a small castle. It is situated on the north-western edge...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, but grew up in San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
. He played 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 Cal State Bakersfield, and during his collegiate off-season Wicks played one summer with Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Professional
In 2005, his first year as a professional, Wicks enjoyed a successful campaign with Vancouver Whitecaps. Wicks began the season as the backup to Mike FranksMike Franks (soccer)
Mike Franks is a retired Canadian soccer player who has played professionally in North America, the Netherlands, and Scotland.-Club career:...
. However, injuries to the number one keeper allowed him to appear in 13 games, including two games in the playoffs. Wicks allowed only 0.55 goals per game and his overall record was five wins, four losses, and four ties. He also recorded seven shutouts, including both playoff games.
Wicks re-signed for the Caps in 2006 and served as backup to Tony Caig
Tony Caig
Antony "Tony" Caig is an English football goalkeeper who currently plays and coaches other goalkeepers for Football League One club Carlisle United.-Professional career:...
. He also helped the Caps win their first 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....
Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
by beating the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
3-0.
In March 2007, Wicks signed with the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
as one of two goalkeepers. For the season, he recorded a .603 GAA with 14 shutouts in 27 games (all league highs), earning him Goalkeeper of the Year honors. He also delivered 2 assists (good for 3rd best on the team) from his booming goal kicks.
Wicks had been on trial with Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
during the club's pre-season, featuring in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship
Pan-Pacific Championship
The Pan-Pacific Football Championship was an inter-confederation football tournament between teams from A-League , Chinese Super League , J...
in Hawaii, and featuring on their Asian tour in China and Hong Kong. Having impressed Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
with his performances, Wicks signed a full professional contract with Galaxy on March 26, 2008. He made his MLS debut on 30 August 2008 against 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...
, coming on as a second half substitute for Steve Cronin
Steve Cronin
Steve Michael Cronin is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United of Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Cronin played college soccer at Santa Clara University from 2001 to 2003...
, who had suffered an injury.
Wicks was traded to D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
in return for a conditional 4th round 2010 MLS SuperDraft pick. He made his debut for United against his former club on 22 March 2009 in the 2009 MLS Season opener for both clubs.
Wicks was released by D.C. United on April 16, 2010 and subsequently moved to Finland when he signed for Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga is the premier division of Finnish football, comprising the top 12 clubs of the country. Veikkausliiga is currently ranked as the 28th best league in Europe. Its main sponsor is the Finnish national betting agency Veikkaus, hence the league's name...
club IFK Mariehamn
IFK Mariehamn
IFK Mariehamn is a Finnish football club, based in Mariehamn, capital of the Åland Islands. It currently plays in the Finnish Premier Division . The club's manager is Pekka Lyyski, and it plays its home matches at Wiklöf Holding Arena....
. He made his debut for Mariehamn on January 18, 2011 in a 4-0 victory over FC Haka
FC Haka
Haka is a Finnish football club, based in the industry town of Valkeakoski. It is one of the most successful clubs in Finland, with nine Finnish championships and 12 Finnish Cup wins.- History :...
in the Finnish League Cup
Finnish League Cup
The Finnish League Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually during pre-season in winter by teams from Veikkausliiga.-Finnish League Cup finals:...
.
Trouble in DC
On August 29, 2009, during a game against the Chicago Fire, Wicks confronted teammate Marc BurchMarc Burch
Marc Burch is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
after Burch failed to clear out of the box during a Fire free-kick. A shoving match ensued; Wicks was both praised and criticized for the incident.
Days later, on September 2, 2009, during the 2009 US Open Cup final against Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
, he intentionally stomped on an opponent, Fredy Montero, after Montero scored a goal against him. His act earned a red card and his team went on to lose the game 2-1, and the cup. He was subsequently suspended for 5 future Open Cup games.
Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship (1): 2005United Soccer Leagues 2005-General:* A-League renamed USL First Division.* Pro Soccer League renamed USL Second Division.* The newly renamed top two divisions each become single table....
Individual
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Goalkeeper of the Year: 2007United Soccer Leagues 2007The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the...