Andrew Dykstra
Encyclopedia
Andrew Dykstra is an American
soccer player currently playing for Charleston Battery
in the USL Professional Division.
, attended Osbourn Park High School
, and played college soccer
at Virginia Commonwealth University
from 2004 to 2008, redshirting in his first year. He was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2005, and played in all 18 matches for VCU in his senior season, being named to the All-CAA Second Team and recognized as the goalkeeper on the 2008 Scholar All-East Third Team.
During his college years Dykstra also played four seasons in the USL Premier Development League
for Richmond Kickers Future
.
.
Dykstra became the Fire's number one goalkeeper just prior to the 2010 season, when the new coaching staff, in a surprise last-minute move, chose to waive starting goalkeeper Jon Busch
. He made his MLS debut on 27 March 2010, in Chicago's 2010 season opener against the New York Red Bulls
On January 31, 2011, the Fire announced that they released Dykstra after two seasons with the club. Dykstra signed with Charleston Battery
of the USL Pro
league on March 23, 2011.
On August 12, 2011, Dykstra was named Most Valuable Player at the final league game of the regular season, in recognition for his successful season in which he led the USL Pro League in lowest Goals Against Average and fewest goals allowed..
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the USL Professional Division.
College and amateur
Dykstra grew up in Woodbridge, VirginiaWoodbridge, Virginia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi...
, attended Osbourn Park High School
Osbourn Park High School
Osbourn Park Senior High School is a public secondary school in unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia.Osbourn Park serves the mid-part of the county and is located between the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. The community consists of business, professional, U.S. Government and...
, and 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...
at Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
from 2004 to 2008, redshirting in his first year. He was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2005, and played in all 18 matches for VCU in his senior season, being named to the All-CAA Second Team and recognized as the goalkeeper on the 2008 Scholar All-East Third Team.
During his college years Dykstra also played four seasons in 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...
for Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future
Richmond Kickers Future was an American soccer team based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 2002 as part of the development system of the Richmond Kickers USL Second Division franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
.
Professional
Undrafted out of college, Dykstra was signed to Chicago Fire's developmental roster on 6 April 2009 and signed to a senior roster spot later in June 2009. He made his full professional debut for Fire on 30 June 2009, in a US Open Cup third round game against Wilmington HammerheadsWilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
Dykstra became the Fire's number one goalkeeper just prior to the 2010 season, when the new coaching staff, in a surprise last-minute move, chose to waive starting goalkeeper Jon Busch
Jon Busch
Jon Busch is an American soccer goalkeeper for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
. He made his MLS debut on 27 March 2010, in Chicago's 2010 season opener against the New York Red Bulls
On January 31, 2011, the Fire announced that they released Dykstra after two seasons with the club. Dykstra signed with Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league on March 23, 2011.
On August 12, 2011, Dykstra was named Most Valuable Player at the final league game of the regular season, in recognition for his successful season in which he led the USL Pro League in lowest Goals Against Average and fewest goals allowed..