Bryheem Hancock
Encyclopedia
Bryheem Hancock is a former American
soccer player who played professional soccer as a goalkeeper for clubs in the Major League Soccer
, and A-League
. He is currently the assistant coach to University of South Florida
.
. During his four year tenure at Connecticut, Hancock's accomplishments were leading the Huskies to an NCAA Division I National Championship in 2000. In the same year he was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team. To add to his list of achievements Hancock was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001 as well as earning All-American status. In his senior season, he was honored with the 2001 Leadership Student-Athlete Award. Hancock even managed to break the collegiate shutout record at 15. Upon graduating from Connecticut he was drafted by the L.A. Galaxy in 2002, being the first goalkeeper selected in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft
.
After failing to appear in a single match for the Galaxy, Hancock was released from his contract and signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks
of the A-League on April 19, 2002. Hancock quickly established himself as the first choice goalkeeper for Atlanta. He managed to claim the Southern Derby
for the Silverbacks, and led them to the playoffs, by finishing 3rd in the Southeast conference. The following season Hancock led the A-League in saves with 114, and was named the Atlanta Silverback MVP while recording the team record for most saves in a season and most saves in a single game.
Hancock left Atlanta in 2004 resulting in him to sign with the Toronto Lynx
on March 23, 2004. He was brought in to replace Theo Zagar
, who departed to rivals Rochester Rhinos. In the earlier stages of the season he competed with Richard Goddard for the starting position, but ultimately was made the Lynx's first choice goaltender. He made his Toronto debut on April 17, 2004 in a 1-0 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders
, he also recorded his first clean sheet of the season. Hancock managed to record four shout outs during the season. On August 26, 2004 he was awarded the Toronto Lynx Best Defensive Player Award primarily for establishing a new team record for most saves in a season. Hancock subsequently retired from soccer after his contract expired with the Lynx.
On June 6, 2009 Hancock was appointed assistant coach for the University of South Florida
, where he will primarily coach the goalkeepers.
in the 1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship
. He was the starting goalkeeper in the tournament, and made his debut against Oman
. He would make another appearance, but this time against Brazil
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who played professional soccer as a goalkeeper for clubs 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...
, and A-League
A-League (1995–2004)
The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
. He is currently the assistant coach to University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
.
Club career
Hancock began playing soccer during his tenure at the University of ConnecticutUniversity 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...
. During his four year tenure at Connecticut, Hancock's accomplishments were leading the Huskies to an NCAA Division I National Championship in 2000. In the same year he was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team. To add to his list of achievements Hancock was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001 as well as earning All-American status. In his senior season, he was honored with the 2001 Leadership Student-Athlete Award. Hancock even managed to break the collegiate shutout record at 15. Upon graduating from Connecticut he was drafted by the L.A. Galaxy in 2002, being the first goalkeeper selected in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft
2002 MLS SuperDraft
The 2002 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:...
.
After failing to appear in a single match for the Galaxy, Hancock was released from his contract and signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
of the A-League on April 19, 2002. Hancock quickly established himself as the first choice goalkeeper for Atlanta. He managed to claim the Southern Derby
Southern Derby
The Southern Derby is a fan-based cup competition between USL Pro teams based in the South-Atlantic region of the United States ....
for the Silverbacks, and led them to the playoffs, by finishing 3rd in the Southeast conference. The following season Hancock led the A-League in saves with 114, and was named the Atlanta Silverback MVP while recording the team record for most saves in a season and most saves in a single game.
Hancock left Atlanta in 2004 resulting in him to sign with the Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
on March 23, 2004. He was brought in to replace Theo Zagar
Theo Zagar
Theodosis Zagar is a former Canadian goalkeeper, who is currently the U11 and Goalkeeper Development Director for the Oakville Soccer Club....
, who departed to rivals Rochester Rhinos. In the earlier stages of the season he competed with Richard Goddard for the starting position, but ultimately was made the Lynx's first choice goaltender. He made his Toronto debut on April 17, 2004 in a 1-0 victory over 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....
, he also recorded his first clean sheet of the season. Hancock managed to record four shout outs during the season. On August 26, 2004 he was awarded the Toronto Lynx Best Defensive Player Award primarily for establishing a new team record for most saves in a season. Hancock subsequently retired from soccer after his contract expired with the Lynx.
On June 6, 2009 Hancock was appointed assistant coach for the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
, where he will primarily coach the goalkeepers.
International career
Hancock made his debut for United StatesUnited States U-17 men's national soccer team
The United States U-17 men's national soccer team is the national under-17 association football team of the United States and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation...
in the 1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship
1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship
-Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------Group D:-------------------------Knockout Stage:-Quarterfinals:-------------Semifinals:-----Playoff for 3rd place:-Final:-Top goalscorers:...
. He was the starting goalkeeper in the tournament, and made his debut against Oman
Oman national football team
The Oman national football team is the national team of Oman. Although the team was officially founded in 1978, the squad was formed long before, and has established a proper football association in only December, 2005...
. He would make another appearance, but this time against Brazil
Brazil national under-17 football team
-Round of 16:-----Quarterfinals:-----Semifinals:-----Bronze medal match:----- See also:* Brazil national football team* Brazil Olympic football team* Brazil national under-20 football team* South American Under-17 Football Championship...
.