.gif)
Alan Gordon (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Alan Gordon is an American
soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes
in Major League Soccer
.
in his mid-teens, and played two years of college soccer
for Yavapai College
, where he scored 39 goals in his two seasons, before attending Oregon State University
, where he won All Pac-10 honors twice, and scored 11 goals as a junior and 15 as a senior.
by Los Angeles Galaxy
. He was awarded number 16, but in 2006 changed his number to 21. However, Gordon did not make the team, and signed with the Portland Timbers
of the A-League
. With the Timbers, Gordon was an instant success, playing 27 games and scoring 17 goals, tying Dante Washington
for the league lead, and helped the Timbers finish the regular season with the league's best record. In recognition of his achievement Gordon was named the league's Rookie of the Year, and was a finalist for the MVP Award. After the end of the A-League season, Gordon was loaned back to the Galaxy. During the 2006 season, Gordon saw increased playing time for the Galaxy, scoring 4 goals.
On July 21, 2007 during a friendly with Chelsea
, Gordon was pulled for David Beckham
's first appearance with the Galaxy in the 78th minute. On April 26, 2008, Gordon scored two goals off the bench in the Galaxy's 5-2 victory over rivals Chivas USA
. He finished 2008 with a career year. He scored five goals and seven assists, even though he was not a full time starter.
In August 2010, he was traded to neighboring Chivas USA for allocation money just one match short of his 100 league appearances with the Galaxy, during which time he notched sixteen goals. On November 24, 2010, he was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, but was immediately traded back to Chivas USA, along with Alejandro Moreno
, for an international player spot.
He was traded to Toronto FC
on March 11, 2011 in exchange for Nick LaBrocca
. Gordon made his debut for Toronto on March 26 in a 2-0 home victory against Portland Timbers
with both goals coming from Javier Martina
. On April 2 Gordon scored his first goal for Toronto in a 1-1 tie against his former team Chivas. Gordon had a memorable return to The Home Depot Center
on June 11 when he scored 2 goals against The Galaxy in a 2-2 thriller which saw two goals scored in injury time of the second half.
Following Toronto's designated player signing of Danny Koevermans
Gordon became a dispensable asset and was traded along with Jacob Peterson
and Nana Attakora to San Jose Earthquakes
for Ryan Johnson
on July 14, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for 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 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
Gordon moved to Gilbert, ArizonaGilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
in his mid-teens, and played two years of college soccer
College 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...
for Yavapai College
Yavapai College
Yavapai College is a community college located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The main Campus is in Prescott, with locations in Clarkdale, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Sedona.-History:...
, where he scored 39 goals in his two seasons, before attending Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, where he won All Pac-10 honors twice, and scored 11 goals as a junior and 15 as a senior.
Professional
Upon graduating, Gordon was drafted 53rd overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft2004 MLS SuperDraft
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 16, 2004, was the fifth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft, and was most notable for the selection of one of the youngest athletes in American sporting history, Freddy Adu, with the first pick.-Player...
by 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...
. He was awarded number 16, but in 2006 changed his number to 21. However, Gordon did not make the team, and signed with the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
of the A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. With the Timbers, Gordon was an instant success, playing 27 games and scoring 17 goals, tying Dante Washington
Dante Washington
Dante Deneen Washington is a retired American soccer striker and currently a TV soccer color analyst.Washington played college soccer at Radford University, and was named a first team All-American in 1991...
for the league lead, and helped the Timbers finish the regular season with the league's best record. In recognition of his achievement Gordon was named the league's Rookie of the Year, and was a finalist for the MVP Award. After the end of the A-League season, Gordon was loaned back to the Galaxy. During the 2006 season, Gordon saw increased playing time for the Galaxy, scoring 4 goals.
On July 21, 2007 during a friendly with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, Gordon was pulled for David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
's first appearance with the Galaxy in the 78th minute. On April 26, 2008, Gordon scored two goals off the bench in the Galaxy's 5-2 victory over rivals 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....
. He finished 2008 with a career year. He scored five goals and seven assists, even though he was not a full time starter.
In August 2010, he was traded to neighboring Chivas USA for allocation money just one match short of his 100 league appearances with the Galaxy, during which time he notched sixteen goals. On November 24, 2010, he was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, but was immediately traded back to Chivas USA, along with Alejandro Moreno
Alejandro Moreno
Alejandro Moreno is a Venezuelan footballer. He played for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club before attending UNC Greensboro. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, for an international player spot.
He was traded to Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
on March 11, 2011 in exchange for Nick LaBrocca
Nick LaBrocca
Nick LaBrocca is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
. Gordon made his debut for Toronto on March 26 in a 2-0 home victory against Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
with both goals coming from Javier Martina
Javier Martina
Javier Sylvester Martina is a Curaçaoan-Dutch footballer who last played for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Curaçao national soccer team.-Netherlands:...
. On April 2 Gordon scored his first goal for Toronto in a 1-1 tie against his former team Chivas. Gordon had a memorable return to The Home Depot Center
The Home Depot Center
The Home Depot Center is a multiple-use sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. It is located approximately 10 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles. Its title sponsor is hardware retailer The Home Depot. The $150 million complex was...
on June 11 when he scored 2 goals against The Galaxy in a 2-2 thriller which saw two goals scored in injury time of the second half.
Following Toronto's designated player signing of Danny Koevermans
Danny Koevermans
Danny Koevermans is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a centre forward for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Early career:...
Gordon became a dispensable asset and was traded along with Jacob Peterson
Jacob Peterson
Jacob Peterson is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
and Nana Attakora 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....
for Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson (soccer)
Ryan Johnson is a Jamaican soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
on July 14, 2011.
Portland Timbers
- A-League The Commissioner's Cup (1): 20042004 A-League-Western Conference:-Eastern Conference:-Playoffs:...
Los Angeles Galaxy
- 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...
MLS Cup (1): 2005 - 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): 2005, 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:...
Individual
- A-League Rookie of the Year: 20042004 A-League-Western Conference:-Eastern Conference:-Playoffs:...
- A-League Top Scorer: 20042004 A-League-Western Conference:-Eastern Conference:-Playoffs:...