Sean Franklin
Encyclopedia
Sean Michael Franklin is an American
soccer player who currently plays as a defender
for the Los Angeles Galaxy
of Major League Soccer
.
in Palmdale, California
, where he was coached by Danny Young. He was named the Golden League’s Most Valuable Player as a senior, and also earned all-area first-team honors in 2003 after helping the Bulldogs to a Golden League crown in 2003.
At Cal State Northridge, he was an invaluable member of the Matadors’ defence, starting over 50 games since 2004, being named to the All-Big West Conference team in both 2005 and 2006. During his college years Franklin spent two years with the San Fernando Valley Quakes
of the USL Premier Development League
, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in 2007, although his campaign was cut short when he broke his arm in the playoff semi-final against BYU Cougars.
, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy
, and made his MLS debut in Galaxy's home opener against San Jose Earthquakes
on 3 April 2008.
In late April, Greg Daurio reported coach Gullit saying Franklin had been their best player, saying "I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to David (Beckham) all the time, I think he's made huge progress. That makes me happy." On May 16th, Los Angeles Galaxy Media Relations' Mark Rogondino said he's growing into an MLS caliber defender, describing his play, "Franklin is adjusting to the combination of physical play and skill, but what I think is even more important is that he is starting to anticipate and read the game a bit more in the past weeks. Every so often, he will surprise you with a flashing run forward too."
Franklin was awarded MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season. He beat fellow finalists Geoff Cameron
and Kheli Dube to the award.
Franklin missed the majority of the 2009 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring
tear he suffered during a game against Columbus Crew
on May 17, 2009.
during the spring of 2004, and played 90 minutes for the U-23 team in a 0–0 draw with Japan
in Japan in 2007.
He was called up to the senior men's squad twice in 2008 and 2009. He was unused in the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala
on November 18, 2008, and withdrew from the camp which faced Sweden
on January 24, 2009 with a hernia
injury.
He made his senior debut on January 22, 2011 in a friendly match against Chile.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays as a defender
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....
for the 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...
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...
.
Youth and amateur
Franklin was a three-time letterwinner at Highland High SchoolHighland High School (Palmdale, California)
Highland High School is located in Palmdale, California and is part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District. About 4,000 students attend Highland High School in grades 9 through 12. It received a California Distinguished School award in 2005....
in Palmdale, California
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, where he was coached by Danny Young. He was named the Golden League’s Most Valuable Player as a senior, and also earned all-area first-team honors in 2003 after helping the Bulldogs to a Golden League crown in 2003.
At Cal State Northridge, he was an invaluable member of the Matadors’ defence, starting over 50 games since 2004, being named to the All-Big West Conference team in both 2005 and 2006. During his college years Franklin spent two years with the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
of 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...
, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time in 2007, although his campaign was cut short when he broke his arm in the playoff semi-final against BYU Cougars.
Professional
Franklin was the 4th overall pick in 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...
, selected by the 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...
, and made his MLS debut in Galaxy's home opener against 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....
on 3 April 2008.
In late April, Greg Daurio reported coach Gullit saying Franklin had been their best player, saying "I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to David (Beckham) all the time, I think he's made huge progress. That makes me happy." On May 16th, Los Angeles Galaxy Media Relations' Mark Rogondino said he's growing into an MLS caliber defender, describing his play, "Franklin is adjusting to the combination of physical play and skill, but what I think is even more important is that he is starting to anticipate and read the game a bit more in the past weeks. Every so often, he will surprise you with a flashing run forward too."
Franklin was awarded MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season. He beat fellow finalists Geoff Cameron
Geoff Cameron
Geoffrey Scott "Geoff" Cameron is an American soccer player who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
and Kheli Dube to the award.
Franklin missed the majority of the 2009 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
tear he suffered during a game against Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
on May 17, 2009.
International
Franklin was called up to the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National TeamUnited States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
during the spring of 2004, and played 90 minutes for the U-23 team in a 0–0 draw with Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in Japan in 2007.
He was called up to the senior men's squad twice in 2008 and 2009. He was unused in the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
on November 18, 2008, and withdrew from the camp which faced 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...
on January 24, 2009 with a hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
injury.
He made his senior debut on January 22, 2011 in a friendly match against Chile.
Los Angeles Galaxy
- MLS CupMLS CupThe 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...
(1): 20112011 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor 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...
Supporter's Shield (2): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...
20112011 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor 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...
Western Conference Championship (2): 20092009 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:...
20112011 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver...