Bobby Rhine
Encyclopedia
Bobby Rhine was an American soccer player who last played for FC Dallas
of Major League Soccer
.
Rhine played college soccer
at the University of Connecticut
, where he was a second-team All-American in 1998. He was drafted by the then-Dallas Burn sixth overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft
. During his Dallas career, Rhine filled a variety of positions as an on-and-off starter, usually playing up front or in the midfield
. His versatility even led to a switch to defense
for the 2005 season. His best season came in 2002, when he scored seven goals and six assists and added another goal in the playoffs. In eight MLS seasons, Rhine's regular-season totals stand at 23 goals and 33 assists. In 1999, he went on loan to the Milwaukee Rampage
of the USL A-League. In 2000, he played one game on loan with the Tennessee Rhythm. Rhine played his final career game against Los Angeles Galaxy
on October 26, 2008, a game in which normal team captain Duilio Davino
insisted Rhine take the captain's armband.
Rhine retired at the end of the 2008 season. Upon retiring, he accepted the position of Manager of Community Development with the FC Dallas
front office. In addition, Rhine also worked as the color commentator for the team's television broadcasts.
On September 5, 2011, while vacationing with his family in Florida, Rhine died from a sudden heart attack at the age of 35.
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...
.
Rhine 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 the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
, where he was a second-team All-American in 1998. He was drafted by the then-Dallas Burn sixth overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft
1999 MLS College Draft
The 1999 Major League Soccer College Draft.Major League Soccer held its fourth annual college draft on February 6 and 7, 1999 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first round of the draft took place on Saturday with the second and third rounds on Sunday morning. The College Draft was followed by the...
. During his Dallas career, Rhine filled a variety of positions as an on-and-off starter, usually playing up front or in the midfield
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. His versatility even led to a switch to defense
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for the 2005 season. His best season came in 2002, when he scored seven goals and six assists and added another goal in the playoffs. In eight MLS seasons, Rhine's regular-season totals stand at 23 goals and 33 assists. In 1999, he went on loan to the Milwaukee Rampage
Milwaukee Rampage
The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the...
of the USL A-League. In 2000, he played one game on loan with the Tennessee Rhythm. Rhine played his final career game against 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...
on October 26, 2008, a game in which normal team captain Duilio Davino
Duilio Davino
Duilio César Jean Pierre Davino Rodríguez is a Mexican football defender who plays for Estudiantes Tecos of the Primera Division de Mexico....
insisted Rhine take the captain's armband.
Rhine retired at the end of the 2008 season. Upon retiring, he accepted the position of Manager of Community Development with the FC Dallas
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...
front office. In addition, Rhine also worked as the color commentator for the team's television broadcasts.
On September 5, 2011, while vacationing with his family in Florida, Rhine died from a sudden heart attack at the age of 35.