Andrew Gregor
Encyclopedia
Andrew Gregor is a retired American
soccer midfielder who played professionally in Major League Soccer
, the USL First Division
, the USL Premier Development League
and Major Indoor Soccer League
.
He began his professional career in the Major League Soccer
with the Columbus Crew
, but due to restricted appearances at the highest level of American soccer he became a mainstay in the USL First Division
, playing in the league for an entire decade. Gregor is noted for being one of the few players to have played for all three clubs from the Pacific Northwest region
. Most of his achievements in the league derived from the Northwest clubs. His major achievements included winning the USL
Championship, Commissioner's Cup, and receiving All-League honors on four separate occasions in his career. On February, 2010 he was ranked 12th in the USL First Division
Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.
, playing for the West Villa F.C. in 1988 and moving to F.C. Portland youth club beginning in 1991. In 1994, Gregor and his F.C. Portland club won the USYSA U-18 national championship with Gregor taking MVP honors. In addition to playing with F.C. Portland, Gregor played for Sunset High School boys team. In 1993, he was selected as the Oregon 4A Co-Player of the Year. Gregor attended the University of Portland
where he was a four year starter on the men’s soccer team. During his four years, he started 69 of 70 games for the Pilots.
of Major League Soccer
(MLS) selected Gregor in the second round (21st overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft
. He played ten games, but was released at the end of the season. Gregor then signed with the Seattle Sounders
of the USL A-League
.
Gregor returned to MLS when the Kansas City Wizards
picked him in the second round (24th overall) of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
. He played thirteen games in 2001, mostly as a substitute. As a result, the Wizards sent him on loan to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
and Seattle Sounders
. The Wizards released Gregor and he signed with the Sounders for the 2002 season. Gregor had an excellent season, scoring nine goals and earning first team All Star recognition. On November 14, 2002, the Cleveland Crunch
signed Gregor to a two year contract., but he played only thirteen games and was released at the end of the season.
Gregor returned to the Sounders for the 2003 season, where he posted a career high seven assists, along with seven goals, once again earning first team All Star recognition. In 2004, the Vancouver Whitecaps signed Gregor as a free agent. He played one game and was released by the team. He then signed with the Portland Timbers
in June and played thirteen games with them. In Portland he managed to claim the club's first piece of silverware by leading the Timbers to a regular season championship. On March 1, 2005, Gregor returned to the Seattle Sounders where he won his first USL Championship, which marked the third USL championship in the franchise's history. The following season, he recorded five goals and five assists which earned him a first team All Star selection. In 2007, he expressed an interest in returning to Portland to complete his sociology degree at the University of Portland. As a result, the Sounders released him and he signed with the Portland Timbers
. In 2007, he played twenty-four games with the Timbers, earning first team All Star recognition for the fourth time in his career.
In 2008, he began the season as the captain of the Timbers, but on 9 July was traded to the Rochester Rhinos in a complicated three team deal which sent Chase Harrison
of the Rhinos and Jamil Walker
of the Carolina RailHawks to the Timbers in the exchange for Gregor. During his tenure in Rochester he managed to lead the Rhinos into the playoffs by finishing fourth in the standings. In the club's playoff run the Rhinos defeated the Charleston Battery
in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. There the Rhinos were defeated by the Puerto Rico Islanders
on a 3-2 aggregate on goals. The following season Gregor led the Rhinos to a sixth place finish in the standings enough to clinch a playoff spot. In the postseason the Rhinos were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Islanders once again on a 5-3 aggregate on goals.
On January 19, 2010 after 12 years of professional soccer, Gregor announced his retirement from the game.
. In 1997, he was the captain of the U.S. team which took third place at the World University Games.
team. In 2003, he was part of the U.S. team in an exhibition tournament in Anaheim, California. In 2006, Gregor played several games with the U.S. Futsal
team as it prepared for the 2007 Pan American Games. In June 2007, Gregor was part of the U.S. team in a tour of Spain.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer midfielder who played professionally 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...
, the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, 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...
and Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
.
He began his professional career in the 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...
with 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...
, but due to restricted appearances at the highest level of American soccer he became a mainstay in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, playing in the league for an entire decade. Gregor is noted for being one of the few players to have played for all three clubs from the Pacific Northwest region
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
. Most of his achievements in the league derived from the Northwest clubs. His major achievements included winning the USL
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship, Commissioner's Cup, and receiving All-League honors on four separate occasions in his career. On February, 2010 he was ranked 12th in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.
Youth and College
Gregor grew up in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, playing for the West Villa F.C. in 1988 and moving to F.C. Portland youth club beginning in 1991. In 1994, Gregor and his F.C. Portland club won the USYSA U-18 national championship with Gregor taking MVP honors. In addition to playing with F.C. Portland, Gregor played for Sunset High School boys team. In 1993, he was selected as the Oregon 4A Co-Player of the Year. Gregor attended the University of Portland
University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
where he was a four year starter on the men’s soccer team. During his four years, he started 69 of 70 games for the Pilots.
Professional
The Columbus CrewColumbus 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...
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...
(MLS) selected Gregor in the second round (21st overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft
1998 MLS College Draft
The 1998 Major League Soccer College Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 31 and February 1, 1998.-Format:On Saturday, January 31, 1997, Major League Soccer held the first round of its 1998 college draft during the halftime of the Umbro Select All-Star Classic at Lockhart Stadium. ...
. He played ten games, but was released at the end of the season. Gregor then signed with the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
of the USL 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....
.
Gregor returned to MLS when the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
picked him in the second round (24th overall) of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
. He played thirteen games in 2001, mostly as a substitute. As a result, the Wizards sent him on loan to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
and Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
. The Wizards released Gregor and he signed with the Sounders for the 2002 season. Gregor had an excellent season, scoring nine goals and earning first team All Star recognition. On November 14, 2002, the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
signed Gregor to a two year contract., but he played only thirteen games and was released at the end of the season.
Gregor returned to the Sounders for the 2003 season, where he posted a career high seven assists, along with seven goals, once again earning first team All Star recognition. In 2004, the Vancouver Whitecaps signed Gregor as a free agent. He played one game and was released by the team. He then 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...
in June and played thirteen games with them. In Portland he managed to claim the club's first piece of silverware by leading the Timbers to a regular season championship. On March 1, 2005, Gregor returned to the Seattle Sounders where he won his first USL Championship, which marked the third USL championship in the franchise's history. The following season, he recorded five goals and five assists which earned him a first team All Star selection. In 2007, he expressed an interest in returning to Portland to complete his sociology degree at the University of Portland. As a result, the Sounders released him and he 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...
. In 2007, he played twenty-four games with the Timbers, earning first team All Star recognition for the fourth time in his career.
In 2008, he began the season as the captain of the Timbers, but on 9 July was traded to the Rochester Rhinos in a complicated three team deal which sent Chase Harrison
Chase Harrison
Chase Harrison is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
of the Rhinos and Jamil Walker
Jamil Walker
Jamil Walker is a retired American soccer forward and midfielder, who played professionally in Major League Soccer and the USL First Division.-College:...
of the Carolina RailHawks to the Timbers in the exchange for Gregor. During his tenure in Rochester he managed to lead the Rhinos into the playoffs by finishing fourth in the standings. In the club's playoff run the Rhinos defeated the 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 quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. There the Rhinos were defeated by the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
on a 3-2 aggregate on goals. The following season Gregor led the Rhinos to a sixth place finish in the standings enough to clinch a playoff spot. In the postseason the Rhinos were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Islanders once again on a 5-3 aggregate on goals.
On January 19, 2010 after 12 years of professional soccer, Gregor announced his retirement from the game.
International
Gregor played for several years on the U.S. youth teams. In 1992 and 1993, he was with the U-18 national team before moving to the U-20 national teamUnited States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
. In 1997, he was the captain of the U.S. team which took third place at the World University Games.
Futsal
Gregor has also appeared with the U.S. FutsalFutsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
team. In 2003, he was part of the U.S. team in an exhibition tournament in Anaheim, California. In 2006, Gregor played several games with the U.S. Futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
team as it prepared for the 2007 Pan American Games. In June 2007, Gregor was part of the U.S. team in a tour of Spain.
Seattle Sounders
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship (1): 2005 - USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Pacific Division Champions (3): 2000, 2002, 2003 - Cascadia CupCascadia CupThe Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
(1): 2006