Preston Burpo
Encyclopedia
Preston Burpo is a retired American
soccer player who is now goalkeeper coach for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer
.
from 1992 to 1995. During his career there he earned a goals against average of 1.19 and recorded 38 shutouts. He was the first Penman to earn All-Region honors in 1992.
and Boston Storm
of the USISL, and also played briefly with the Jamaican club team Harbor View FC. In 1997 he signed with Seattle Sounders
of the USL First Division
where he would play for the next nine years. During his career with the Sounders, Burpo appeared 143 times, notching 38 shutouts, 631 saves, and a GAA of 1.19 along the way.
On March 17, 2006, Burpo signed his first contract with Major League Soccer
to play for C.D. Chivas USA
. On November 26, 2007, he was traded to San Jose Earthquakes
in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft
. He never appeared in a match for San Jose before being traded with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
to Colorado Rapids
in exchange for Jovan Kirovski
and Kelly Gray
on May 21, 2008.
On January 22, 2010, Burpo was part of a four-player trade that sent him and Cory Gibbs
to New England Revolution
in exchange for Wells Thompson
and the rights to Jeff Larentowicz
. He opened the season as the Revs' starting goalkeeper while Matt Reis
was out injured.
On May 29, 2010, in a game against New York Red Bulls, Burpo's tibia and fibula snapped when he collided with NYRB striker Dane Richards
while challenging for the ball at the edge of his penalty area; many observers compared the injury to the one which ended the career of American football
star Joe Theismann
in 1985, and the similar double-break which ended the career of English Premier League player David Busst
in 1996.
After the 2010 MLS season New England declined Burpo's contract option and he elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft
. Burpo became a free agent when he was not selected in the Re-Entry Draft. He did not play a competitive soccer game after his injury.
. On October 3, 2011, he was announced as the goalkeeper coach for Major League Soccer
expansion side Montreal Impact.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who is now goalkeeper coach for Montreal Impact 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...
.
College
Burpo played collegiate soccer at Southern New Hampshire UniversitySouthern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University, also known as SNHU, is a private university in Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. The university is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and also has numerous specialized...
from 1992 to 1995. During his career there he earned a goals against average of 1.19 and recorded 38 shutouts. He was the first Penman to earn All-Region honors in 1992.
Professional
Upon graduating in 1995 he had brief stints with New Hampshire PhantomsNew Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms is an American soccer team based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
and Boston Storm
Boston Storm
The Boston Storm were a Professional Soccer Team that competed in the USISLfrom 1993 to 1995 as a founding member of the USISL Northeast Division. In 1993, they played 6 exhibition games against USISL opponents and International Competition with a record of 3-3. On July 3, 1993 they defeated the...
of the USISL, and also played briefly with the Jamaican club team Harbor View FC. In 1997 he signed with 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....
where he would play for the next nine years. During his career with the Sounders, Burpo appeared 143 times, notching 38 shutouts, 631 saves, and a GAA of 1.19 along the way.
On March 17, 2006, Burpo signed his first contract with 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...
to play for C.D. Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
. On November 26, 2007, he was traded to 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....
in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft
2008 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...
. He never appeared in a match for San Jose before being traded with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
2009 MLS SuperDraft
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 15, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the tenth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was owned by the expansion Seattle Sounders FC...
to Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado 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...
in exchange for Jovan Kirovski
Jovan Kirovski
Jovan Kirovski is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-Club career:...
and Kelly Gray
Kelly Gray
Kelly Gray is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College:Gray played forward and midfielder at the University of Portland from 1999 to 2001...
on May 21, 2008.
On January 22, 2010, Burpo was part of a four-player trade that sent him and Cory Gibbs
Cory Gibbs
Cory Gibbs is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
to 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...
in exchange for Wells Thompson
Wells Thompson
Thomas Wells Thompson is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-High school and College:...
and the rights to Jeff Larentowicz
Jeff Larentowicz
Jeffery Adam Larentowicz is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-College:...
. He opened the season as the Revs' starting goalkeeper while Matt Reis
Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
was out injured.
On May 29, 2010, in a game against New York Red Bulls, Burpo's tibia and fibula snapped when he collided with NYRB striker Dane Richards
Dane Richards
Dane Richards is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
while challenging for the ball at the edge of his penalty area; many observers compared the injury to the one which ended the career of American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
star Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
in 1985, and the similar double-break which ended the career of English Premier League player David Busst
David Busst
David Busst is a former English footballer and current football community manager and coach. Busst played all of his professional career at Coventry City before suffering a broken leg during a match which ended his career. His injury is often considered as the most horrific in the history of the...
in 1996.
After the 2010 MLS season New England declined Burpo's contract option and he elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft
2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft
The two-stage 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft took place on December 8, 2010 and December 15, 2010. The Stage 1 Draft of the Re-Entry Process took place on Wednesday, December 8, at 2 p.m. ET via teleconference. The Stage 2 Draft took place on Wednesday, December 15, at 2 p.m. ET...
. Burpo became a free agent when he was not selected in the Re-Entry Draft. He did not play a competitive soccer game after his injury.
Coaching
Burpo spent the 2011 season as a scout for the United States Soccer FederationUnited States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
. On October 3, 2011, he was announced as the goalkeeper coach for 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...
expansion side Montreal Impact.