Tom Presthus
Encyclopedia
Thomas “Tom” Presthus is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper
. He spent seven seasons in Major League Soccer
and earned one caps with the U.S. national team
in 1999.
. When he was twelve, he broke his neck. As a result, he began playing soccer and basketball
. He graduated from Edina High School
. Presthus attended Southern Methodist University
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1993 to 1996. He completed his bachelor’s degree in finance in 1997. In May 1994, he signed with the Minnesota Thunder
of USISL.
selected Presthus in the second round (20th overall) of the 1997 MLS College Draft
. Presthus spent most of the 1997 as a backup to Scott Garlick
. However, by the end of the 1998 season, he had begun to emerge as United’s top goalkeeper and the team traded Garlick during the off-season. On February 5, 2001, United traded Presthus and a tenth round 2001 MLS SuperDraft
pick to the Columbus Crew
for third round pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
. Presthus became the Crew’s starting goalkeeper, but on July 23, 2003 he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during a game. He underwent surgery on September 30, 2003, but the rehabilitation went much slower than he expected. As a result, he announced his retirement on January 14, 2004.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/crew/2004-01-15-presthus-retires_x.htm
in a 2-1 win over Chile
on February 21, 1999. He replaced Zach Thornton
at halftime with the score 0-0.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det95.html
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. He spent seven seasons 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...
and earned one caps with the U.S. national team
United 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...
in 1999.
Youth
Presthus grew up in Minnesota playing football and hockeyHockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
. When he was twelve, he broke his neck. As a result, he began playing soccer and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. He graduated from Edina High School
Edina High School
Edina High School is a three-year public high school located in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The school was founded in 1949 and is the main high school in the Edina School District....
. Presthus attended Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1993 to 1996. He completed his bachelor’s degree in finance in 1997. In May 1994, he signed with the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
of USISL.
Professional
In February 1997, D.C. UnitedD.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...
selected Presthus in the second round (20th overall) of the 1997 MLS College Draft
1997 MLS College Draft
The 1997 Major League Soccer College Draft.On February 1 and 2, 1997, Major League Soccer held its second annual college draft in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The draft was held in conjunction with the Umbro Select College All-Star Classic. The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 1997 at...
. Presthus spent most of the 1997 as a backup to Scott Garlick
Scott Garlick
Scott Garlick is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.Garlick went on trial to Waterford United in 1994...
. However, by the end of the 1998 season, he had begun to emerge as United’s top goalkeeper and the team traded Garlick during the off-season. On February 5, 2001, United traded Presthus and a tenth round 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
pick to the 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...
for third round pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
. Presthus became the Crew’s starting goalkeeper, but on July 23, 2003 he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during a game. He underwent surgery on September 30, 2003, but the rehabilitation went much slower than he expected. As a result, he announced his retirement on January 14, 2004.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/crew/2004-01-15-presthus-retires_x.htm
National team
Presthus earned his lone cap with the U.S. 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...
in a 2-1 win over Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
on February 21, 1999. He replaced Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
at halftime with the score 0-0.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det95.html