Ritchie Kotschau
Encyclopedia
Richard Scott Kotschau is a former American soccer player who last played as a defender
for the Real Salt Lake
of Major League Soccer
.
at George Mason University
, where he helped his team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, Kotschau was drafted by the Chicago Fire second overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft
. Although he helped the Fire to the MLS Cup
and US Open Cup double in his rookie year he was traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny
midway through the 1999 season.
Midway through 2001, Kotschau was part of the deal that sent Carlos Valderrama to the Colorado Rapids
. With Colorado, Ritchie was a first-choice player, played a number of defensive roles, and scored his first MLS goal. After the 2005 season, he was dealt to the Crew for Cornell Glen
. While with the Columbus Crew defender Ritchie Kotschau was named the Huntington man of the year by the Columbus Crew. The award is presented to the player who embodies an exceptional sense of leadership, civic pride, family values and community service. Kotschau, 30, in his first season with the Crew, appeared in 26 games, starting 23. The nine-year MLS veteran wore the captain’s armband 17 times this season and recorded one goal and two assists. That goal was a game-winner.
In ten years in MLS, Kotschau scored nine regular season goals and added 15 assists.
on March 9, 2005, against Colombia
and was a former member of the U-23, U-20, B and U-18 teams.
where he is employed by Life Time Fitness
as the Member Engagement Manager. Kotschau is married with two children.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for the Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
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...
.
Career
After playing college soccerCollege 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...
at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
, where he helped his team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, Kotschau was drafted by the Chicago Fire second overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft
1998 MLS College Draft
The 1998 Major League Soccer College Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 31 and February 1, 1998.-Format:On Saturday, January 31, 1997, Major League Soccer held the first round of its 1998 college draft during the halftime of the Umbro Select All-Star Classic at Lockhart Stadium. ...
. Although he helped the Fire to the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
and US Open Cup double in his rookie year he was traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
midway through the 1999 season.
Midway through 2001, Kotschau was part of the deal that sent Carlos Valderrama to the 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...
. With Colorado, Ritchie was a first-choice player, played a number of defensive roles, and scored his first MLS goal. After the 2005 season, he was dealt to the Crew for Cornell Glen
Cornell Glen
Cornelius "Cornell" Glen is a Trinidadian footballer currently with Caledonia AIA.-Club:Glen began his professional career in 1999 with Trinidadian club Futgof. After two years with Futgof, Glen moved to Portugal, where he played for Sanjoanense...
. While with the Columbus Crew defender Ritchie Kotschau was named the Huntington man of the year by the Columbus Crew. The award is presented to the player who embodies an exceptional sense of leadership, civic pride, family values and community service. Kotschau, 30, in his first season with the Crew, appeared in 26 games, starting 23. The nine-year MLS veteran wore the captain’s armband 17 times this season and recorded one goal and two assists. That goal was a game-winner.
In ten years in MLS, Kotschau scored nine regular season goals and added 15 assists.
International career
Kotschau earned his first cap for 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...
on March 9, 2005, against Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
and was a former member of the U-23, U-20, B and U-18 teams.
Personal
He now lives in Broomfield, ColoradoBroomfield, Colorado
The City and County of Broomfield is a prominent suburb and tier of the Denver metropolitan area in the State of Colorado of the United States. Broomfield has a consolidated city and county government which operates under Article XX, Sections 10-13 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado. The...
where he is employed by Life Time Fitness
Life Time Fitness
Life Time Fitness is a national chain of fitness centers in the United States, based out of Chanhassen, Minnesota.-History:...
as the Member Engagement Manager. Kotschau is married with two children.