Caleb Norkus
Encyclopedia
Joshua Caleb Norkus is a retired American
soccer player who serves as a youth coach for the Carolina RailHawks. He played professionally in Germany, Chile, Puerto Rico and the United States. He was also a member of the United States U-17 men's national soccer team
at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship
.
by the Puerto Rico Islanders
supporters for his tireless work rate, grew up playing youth soccer for the Capital Area Soccer League
and was North Carolina High School player of the year in 1996 when he helped lead Sanderson High School
to the North Carolina State title. During this time, he was also member of the U17 and U18 United States men's national soccer team
set up where he played alongside the likes of Tim Howard
, Steve Cherundolo
, Carlos Bocanegra
and Chris Albright
.
Norkus played for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
from 1997-2000. In 2000 he scored in overtime to bring the Tar Heels the Atlantic Coast Conference
tournament title. In 2000, he played for the Boulder Nova of the Premier Development League.
. Although he trained with the team, Caleb did not catch on with the MLS side and later signed with Charlotte Eagles
of the then United Soccer Leagues
A-League.
After two seasons with the Eagles, Norkus moved to Sportfreunde Siegen
of the German Regionalliga-Süd (German 3rd Division). In 2004, Caleb returned to the United States with the Richmond Kickers
of USL First Division
(at the time) but transferred midseason to Charleston Battery
of the same league. At the end of that season, Norkus took an opportunity to play in the Primera División of the Liga Chilena de Fútbol
with Unión Española
and helped the team to the Apertura title.
At the conclusion of the Chilean 2005 Apertura, Norkus moved to Puerto Rico Islanders
of USL-1 for the remainder of the USL 2005 season. In 2006, Norkus season got off to a brilliant start as he scored 4 goals in the Islanders' first 10 games before being sidelined with a sports hernia injury. After off-season surgery in Argentina
, Norkus returned to the States to sign with the expansion Carolina RailHawks of USL-1.
Throughout Norkus' career, he has continually struggled with a series of unfortunate injuries which have limited his playing time and tenure at many of the clubs he has played for professionally. However in his 2007 season after having surgery to correct a groin injury his fitness was not an issue. He played for the RailHawks through the 2010 season, going on loan to the Charleston Battery
for one game at the end of the season. The RailHawks did not renew his contract during the off-season.
accused the RailHawks of piracy in the signing of Norkus, who was out of contract with the Islanders after the 2006 season. While the club executive insists that the Islanders had a verbal agreement with Norkus to return to Puerto Rico for the 2007 season, the player refutes that accusation, saying the two sides never reached terms and cites the lack of an offered written contract as evidence of their lack of agreement.
's in Ecuador.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who serves as a youth coach for the Carolina RailHawks. He played professionally in Germany, Chile, Puerto Rico and the United States. He was also a member of the United States U-17 men's national soccer team
United 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...
at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship
1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The FIFA U-17 World Championship 1995 was held in the cities of Guayaquil, Portoviejo, Quito, Ibarra, Cuenca, and Riobamba in Ecuador between 3 August and 20 August 1995. Players born after 1 August 1978 could participate in this tournament...
.
College and Amateur
Caleb, who was nicknamed PlayStationPlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
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....
supporters for his tireless work rate, grew up playing youth soccer for the Capital Area Soccer League
Capital Area Soccer League
The Capital Area Soccer League is an American soccer league located in North Carolina's capital, Raleigh. The league is home to over 800 men's, women's, and youth clubs from the Triangle area...
and was North Carolina High School player of the year in 1996 when he helped lead Sanderson High School
Sanderson High School
Sanderson's sports team play under the Sparta identity. The school's motto is "Sumus Spartani. Sumus Optimi." which is Latin for "We are the Spartans. We are the best." Their athletic director is Tony Lewis, also the head football coach...
to the North Carolina State title. During this time, he was also member of the U17 and U18 United States men's national soccer team
United 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...
set up where he played alongside the likes of Tim Howard
Tim Howard
Timothy Matthew Howard is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team....
, Steve Cherundolo
Steve Cherundolo
Steven Emil "Steve" Cherundolo is an American soccer defender who is the captain of Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga, where he has spent his entire club career. He played for the United States men's national soccer team at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.-Early life:Cherundolo grew up in...
, Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Manuel Bocanegra is an American soccer player who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and is the captain of the United States national team.-Chicago Fire:...
and Chris Albright
Chris Albright
Christopher John Albright is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Albright attended William Penn Charter School...
.
Norkus played for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
from 1997-2000. In 2000 he scored in overtime to bring the Tar Heels the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
tournament title. In 2000, he played for the Boulder Nova of the Premier Development League.
Professional
Norkus was drafted by DC United in the fifth round of 2001 MLS SuperDraft2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
. Although he trained with the team, Caleb did not catch on with the MLS side and later signed with Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the then United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
A-League.
After two seasons with the Eagles, Norkus moved to Sportfreunde Siegen
Sportfreunde Siegen
Sportfreunde Siegen is a German association football club based in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was founded in 1899 as the football department of the gymnastics club Turn Verein Jahn von 1879 Siegen...
of the German Regionalliga-Süd (German 3rd Division). In 2004, Caleb returned to the United States with the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
of 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....
(at the time) but transferred midseason to 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 same league. At the end of that season, Norkus took an opportunity to play in the Primera División of the Liga Chilena de Fútbol
Liga Chilena de Fútbol: Primera División
The Primera División del Fútbol Profesional Chileno is the top level of Chilean football, and main component of the Chilean football league system. It is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and is currently ranked 9th in the IFFHS' Best Leagues of the World ranking...
with Unión Española
Unión Española
Club Unión Española S.A.D.P is a professional Chilean football based in Independencia, Santiago de Chile. Founded by a Spanish immigrants on 18 May 1897, Unión Española have participated in the top-tier of Chilean football for all of their existence but two seasons in the late '90s .Unión Española...
and helped the team to the Apertura title.
At the conclusion of the Chilean 2005 Apertura, Norkus moved to 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....
of USL-1 for the remainder of the USL 2005 season. In 2006, Norkus season got off to a brilliant start as he scored 4 goals in the Islanders' first 10 games before being sidelined with a sports hernia injury. After off-season surgery in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Norkus returned to the States to sign with the expansion Carolina RailHawks of USL-1.
Throughout Norkus' career, he has continually struggled with a series of unfortunate injuries which have limited his playing time and tenure at many of the clubs he has played for professionally. However in his 2007 season after having surgery to correct a groin injury his fitness was not an issue. He played for the RailHawks through the 2010 season, going on loan to 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....
for one game at the end of the season. The RailHawks did not renew his contract during the off-season.
Controversy
Puerto Rico Islanders President Andy Guillemard-NobleAndy Guillemard-Noble
Andrés Guillemard-Noble, is a Puerto Rican attorney who also serves as the majority owner and president of the Puerto Rico Islanders soccer team, and its spokesman in the local media.-Football:...
accused the RailHawks of piracy in the signing of Norkus, who was out of contract with the Islanders after the 2006 season. While the club executive insists that the Islanders had a verbal agreement with Norkus to return to Puerto Rico for the 2007 season, the player refutes that accusation, saying the two sides never reached terms and cites the lack of an offered written contract as evidence of their lack of agreement.
International
Norkus made two appearances for the United States at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The FIFA U-17 World Championship 1995 was held in the cities of Guayaquil, Portoviejo, Quito, Ibarra, Cuenca, and Riobamba in Ecuador between 3 August and 20 August 1995. Players born after 1 August 1978 could participate in this tournament...
's in Ecuador.