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Chris Baker (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Chris" Baker (born September 15, 1985 in Waterdown
, Ontario
) is a former Canadian soccer goalkeeper
who most recently played for Toronto Lynx
in the USL Premier Development League
.
and was named team captain and was MVP in his three seasons, as well as being a member of the Ontario Provincial Soccer Program.
At a young age he was a developing player with the Canadian Soccer Association junior national program and was a product of the Toronto Lynx Soccer Academy graduating the Toronto Lynx Jr's program and won Super Y-League
division title in 2005.
announced the signing of Baker for the 2006 season. He primarily served as a reserve keeper for Theo Zagar
. Later loaned to the Oakville Blue Devils of the Canadian Soccer League
. He made his debut for Oakville on September 28, 2006 against London City
in a 4-0 victory where he recorded his first clean sheet. He helped the club to clinch their first National Division, and led them to the post season.
When his loan deal expired Baker returned to the Lynx, and made his debut on September 24, 2006 in the Open Canada Cup
final match against Ottawa St. Anthony Italia
, where the Lynx were defeated by a score of 2-0. After the 2006 season the Lynx franchise decided to drop two divisions down into the USL Premier Development League
; with Zagar retiring and Goddard signing a contract with Vancouver Whitecaps he became the starting goalie for the Lynx in 2007. He made his league debut on May 12, 2007 in a 3-0 defeat to West Michigan Edge
. Baker finished the year with 7 shutouts placing him third overall in the PDL.
Waterdown, Ontario
Waterdown is a town in Canada which since 2001 has been a community of Hamilton, Ontario.On January 1, 2001 the new city of Hamilton was formed from the amalgamation of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth and its six municipalities: Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook,...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) is a former Canadian soccer goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who most recently played for 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....
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...
.
Youth career
He started playing soccer as a youth with Saltfleet Go Ahead SC and Woodbridge Strikers. He attended Waterdown District High SchoolWaterdown District High School
Waterdown District High School is located at 215 Parkside Drive, Waterdown Ontario, and is a member of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. The school opened in 1993 and has a 2009-2010 enrolement of 1322...
and was named team captain and was MVP in his three seasons, as well as being a member of the Ontario Provincial Soccer Program.
At a young age he was a developing player with the Canadian Soccer Association junior national program and was a product of the Toronto Lynx Soccer Academy graduating the Toronto Lynx Jr's program and won Super Y-League
Super Y-League
The Super Y-League is the highest form of American and Canadian youth soccer. It consists of over 100 teams, many of which are operated by clubs from MLS to PDL.- Age groups :The Super Y-League has these following age groups:*U-12*U-13*U-14*U-15...
division title in 2005.
Playing career
On April 18, 2006 the Toronto LynxToronto 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....
announced the signing of Baker for the 2006 season. He primarily served as a reserve keeper for 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....
. Later loaned to the Oakville Blue Devils of the Canadian Soccer League
Canadian Soccer League (current)
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
. He made his debut for Oakville on September 28, 2006 against London City
London City (soccer club)
London City is a Canadian soccer team founded in 1973. The team is currently a member of the Canadian Soccer League. The team plays home games out of Cove Road Stadium in the city of London, Ontario...
in a 4-0 victory where he recorded his first clean sheet. He helped the club to clinch their first National Division, and led them to the post season.
When his loan deal expired Baker returned to the Lynx, and made his debut on September 24, 2006 in the Open Canada Cup
Open Canada Cup
The Open Canada Cup was a Canadian soccer competition, similar in concept to tournaments such as the English FA Cup, the Coppa Italia, and the US Open Cup. The competition was held starting with the CSL's first season in 1998 until 2007....
final match against Ottawa St. Anthony Italia
Ottawa St. Anthony Italia
The Ottawa St. Anthony Italia is a top amateur soccer club based in Ottawa, Ontario. The club was founded in 1952 as the St. Anthony men's soccer team and played in a local league. In 1959, the team consolidated with another local team known as "Italia" to form Ottawa St. Anthony Italia. In...
, where the Lynx were defeated by a score of 2-0. After the 2006 season the Lynx franchise decided to drop two divisions down into 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...
; with Zagar retiring and Goddard signing a contract with Vancouver Whitecaps he became the starting goalie for the Lynx in 2007. He made his league debut on May 12, 2007 in a 3-0 defeat to West Michigan Edge
West Michigan Edge
West Michigan Edge was an American soccer team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...
. Baker finished the year with 7 shutouts placing him third overall in the PDL.