Alex Yi
Encyclopedia
Alexander "Alex" Yi is a retired American soccer defender who last played for FC Dallas
of Major League Soccer
. He is currently an NCAA coach at the University of Dayton
.
, and as such was part of the inaugural class of the USSF
's Bradenton Academy, along with other players such as Landon Donovan
, DaMarcus Beasley
, and Oguchi Onyewu
. Upon graduating, he matriculated to UCLA, where he played college soccer
in 2000 and 2001, where he started in 41 games and was named a third team All-American as a sophomore. He was named PAC-10 Player of the Year.
Following his sophomore year Yi left UCLA to pursue a professional career in Europe; he signed with Royal Antwerp of the Belgian First Division, a feeder club of Manchester United
, before the start of the 2002-3 season. Yi disappointingly only appeared in four matches for Antwerp in the 2002-3 season, and, after appearing in only seven for the struggling club in the subsequent season, was released from his contract to pursue opportunities in America.
Yi was coveted by several teams upon his return to the United States, most notably his hometown D.C. United
, but was eventually allocated to F.C. Dallas through a weighted lottery on January 12, 2005.
Yi has played for the U-17, U-20, and U-23 United States youth national teams, and played in the 1999 Football World Youth Championship. His father, Kyom Yi, played for the South Korean national team at the youth level.
, where he became a full time student.
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
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...
. He is currently an NCAA coach at the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
.
Playing career
As a teenager, Yi was a member of Under-17 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...
, and as such was part of the inaugural class of the USSF
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
's Bradenton Academy, along with other players such as Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
, DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Lamont Beasley is an American soccer player who plays for Puebla of the Mexican Primera División. He plays mainly as a winger on the left side of the midfield, but has also been used as a forward and fullback...
, and Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchialu Chijoke Onyewu also known as "Oguchi" Onyewu is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Sporting Clube de Portugal, in Primeira Liga, and the United States national team. Onyewu also holds a Belgian passport....
. Upon graduating, he matriculated to UCLA, where he played 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...
in 2000 and 2001, where he started in 41 games and was named a third team All-American as a sophomore. He was named PAC-10 Player of the Year.
Following his sophomore year Yi left UCLA to pursue a professional career in Europe; he signed with Royal Antwerp of the Belgian First Division, a feeder club of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, before the start of the 2002-3 season. Yi disappointingly only appeared in four matches for Antwerp in the 2002-3 season, and, after appearing in only seven for the struggling club in the subsequent season, was released from his contract to pursue opportunities in America.
Yi was coveted by several teams upon his return to the United States, most notably his hometown D.C. United
D.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...
, but was eventually allocated to F.C. Dallas through a weighted lottery on January 12, 2005.
Yi has played for the U-17, U-20, and U-23 United States youth national teams, and played in the 1999 Football World Youth Championship. His father, Kyom Yi, played for the South Korean national team at the youth level.
Coaching career
Alex Yi retired from soccer in April, 2008. He struggled with injury and decided to head back to school, applying to UCLA and UT-Austin. Eventually, he was hired as an assistant coach at the University of DaytonUniversity of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
, where he became a full time student.