Brad Davis (soccer)

Brad Davis

Davis in May 2014
Personal information
Full name Bradley Joseph Davis[1]
Date of birth (1981-11-08) November 8, 1981
Place of birth Saint Charles, Missouri, United States
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position Left Winger
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2001 Saint Louis Billikens
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002 MetroStars 24 (4)
2003–2004 Dallas Burn 55 (8)
2005 San Jose Earthquakes 18 (2)
2006–2015 Houston Dynamo 271 (41)
2016 Sporting Kansas City 24 (2)
Total 392 (57)
National team‡
2001 United States U20 3 (1)
2005–2014 United States 17 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 23, 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of June 28, 2014

Bradley Joseph "Brad" Davis (born November 8, 1981) is a retired American soccer player.

Career

Youth and College

Davis attended high school at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Missouri. He joined Saint Louis University (SLU) in 2000, where he played for two seasons before leaving college soccer for the professional ranks. While at SLU, Davis was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year his first year, and a second team NSCAA All-American as a sophomore.[2]

Professional

Davis playing for Houston Dynamo in 2006

Davis was selected third overall in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft by MetroStars. He scored four goals in 24 appearances in his debut season, and was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year Award. He was then traded to Dallas Burn for the fourth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft.[3]

In his second year with the team, new coach Colin Clarke tried to move Davis to the center of the field to play attacking midfielder. After making little impact through several games, however, Davis returned to the left. There he had to compete with newcomer Eric Quill for playing time. Davis finished the season with only two goals and two assists despite playing more minutes than in 2003, as the Burn yet again missed the playoffs.

On MLS draft day 2005 Davis was traded to San Jose Earthquakes with cash and the #4 draft pick in exchange for Richard Mulrooney, Arturo Alvarez and the #6 draft pick.[4] That season he made 18 MLS appearances for San Jose, scoring two goals. Davis did not appear for them in the MLS play-offs due to a groin strain.[5] After the 2005 season, the club moved to Houston and was rechristened Houston Dynamo.

Following a 2011 season where he led MLS in assists, Davis was named a finalist for the league MVP Award.[6] However, despite helping the Dynamo advance to their third-ever MLS Cup, Davis missed the final after suffering a torn quadriceps in an Eastern Conference Final win over Sporting Kansas City. During the 2012 season, he scored a personal best of 8 goals to lead the Houston Dynamo to the MLS Cup final. In 2013, he recorded 4 goals and 9 assists.[7]

On January 7, 2016, Davis was traded to Sporting Kansas City for picks in the 2016 and 2017 MLS SuperDrafts as well as future considerations.[8]

On October 23, 2016, Davis announced that he planned to retire at the end of Sporting Kansas City's 2016 season.[9][10]

International

Davis has played for several youth United States national teams. He played for the US at the 2001 World Youth Championship in the Argentina and the Under-23 team. Davis received his first cap for the senior team July 7, 2005 in a Gold Cup match against Cuba. Davis has also recorded four assists with the United States men's national soccer team. He also converted the clinching penalty kick in the United States' shootout victory over Panama in the Gold Cup final. Davis was included on Jürgen Klinsmann's 30-man preliminary roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Davis subsequently made the final 23 that will go to the World Cup. In the USMNT's first send-off game against Azerbaijan, Davis came off the bench and assisted Aron Johannsson on the United States' second goal of the night to make the score 2-0, which was also the final score. He was in the starting lineup for a group stage game against Germany.[11]

Playing style

Davis is best known for his exceptionally precise service from crosses and set-pieces. He is considered to have the best left foot in Major League Soccer.[12]

Personal life

Davis also goes by the nickname of B.J. since his middle name is Joseph. Davis is married to Heather Davis. Davis is a Christian.[13]

Honors

Team

United States
San Jose Earthquakes
Houston Dynamo

Individual

MLS

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. June 11, 2014. p. 32. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Brad Davis: About". MLSsoccer. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  3. ↑ Jeff Lemieux (January 9, 2012). "2002: Brad Davis (Metrostars)". A Look Back: MLS’ third overall draft picks. New England Revolution. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ "FC Dallas Acquires Richard Mulrooney, Arturo Alvarez, Picks from San Jose". oursportscentral.com.
  5. ↑ "Brad Davis". Profile, career stats and game log. MLS. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ "MLS reveals finalists for MVP and other year-end awards". MLSsoccer.com.
  7. ↑ "Brad Davis". MLSsoccer.com.
  8. ↑ "Houston Dynamo trade captain, assist leader Brad Davis to Sporting Kansas City". MLSsoccer.com.
  9. ↑ Brisendine, Steve. "MLS veteran Brad Davis on decision to retire: "This is the right time"". Sporting Kansas City. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  10. ↑ Kozvan, Sam. "Sporting KC midfielder Brad Davis announces retirement after decorated 15-year MLS career". Sporting Kansas City.
  11. ↑ "Brad Davis helps US over Azerbaijan, 2-0" Archived May 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine., khou.com; accessed August 10, 2014.
  12. ↑ Profile, mlssoccer.com; March 31, 2014; accessed August 10, 2014.
  13. ↑ "USA Footballer Walks into Chaos of World Cup Stage". Athletes in Action.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brad Davis (soccer).
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Brian Ching		 Houston Dynamo captain
2013–2015 		Succeeded by
Giles Barnes
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