Chris Konopka
Encyclopedia
Christopher Konopka is an American
soccer player who plays goalkeeper. He is presently a league 'pool' goalkeeper in Major League Soccer
based with the New York Red Bulls. He holds both United States
and Polish
citizenship. Konopka is the first American born soccer player to ever win the 'Irish Double
' and also the first American player in history to win back-to-back FAI Cup
medals. He is also one of a small group of U.S. players who have won a major European domestic league title or a major European domestic cup.
and played both basketball and soccer at Toms River High School East
. Konopka came through the youth system of the Jersey Shore Boca
soccer club in South Jersey
. In the summer of 2003 he played for the club's Premier Development League team, and in the summer of 2004, he played in the same league for the Jersey Falcons
.
at Providence College
from 2003 to 2006. Konopka earned himself trials in England after his senior season with Charlton Athletic
, Cardiff City
, and Walsall FC. However, he was unable to sign in the United Kingdom as his attempted acquisition of a Polish
passport through ancestry had not yet been completed.
in 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft
and became the first player in the history of Providence College to be drafted by an MLS team. Konopka became a free agent at the end of the 2007 MLS season after the Wizards elected not exercise his contract option which allowed him to pursue other opportunities without any transfer fee compensation. In December 2007, Konopka was named to the US U-23 National Team player pool by US U23 Head Coach Piotr Novak.
. As a member of Bohs, he won the League of Ireland championship and the FAI Cup in 2008. Also while at Bohs, Konopka also impressed with the Bohemians' A-Side
in the inaugural A Championship
, leading Bohemian to the Grand Final.
of the League of Ireland
First Division on July 28 and made his first team debut away against Monaghan United
on October 2 earning a 2-2 draw. He appeared in 4 first team matches at Fingal
including posting a 4-2 win over Bray Wanderers in the 2009 FAI Cup semi-final on October 25. Konopka helped the club win the 2009 FAI Cup
and promotion to the League of Ireland
Premier Division for 2010.
League of Ireland debut on March 5, 2010 posting a 3-0 clean sheet against the Wexford Youths. Konopka received "man of the match" honours from extratime.ie for his performance in keeping a 1-0 clean sheet against Shelbourne F.C.
on May 7. It was Waterford's first win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park
in 11 years.
of Major League Soccer
from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on July 26, 2011 and made his club debut in a friendly exhibition match that evening against Newcastle United of the English Premiere League. He remained with the Crew and was part of the 18 man roster for their 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on July 30, 2011. He was called-in again by Columbus on September 10, 2011 and was part of the 18 man roster for the Crew’s MLS league games against Toronto, Houston and Philadelphia.
from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on August 13, 2011. He made his league debut that evening, starting for New York in a 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire. His emergency loan ended after the match and he returned to the MLS Goalkeeper Pool.
League(*) includes promotion/relegation playoff games and Other(**) includes Munster Senior Cup, LOI A-Championship
, LOI A-Shield
, MLS Reserve League
and friendly exhibition matches.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who plays goalkeeper. He is presently a league 'pool' goalkeeper 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...
based with the New York Red Bulls. He holds both United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
citizenship. Konopka is the first American born soccer player to ever win the 'Irish Double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
' and also the first American player in history to win back-to-back FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
medals. He is also one of a small group of U.S. players who have won a major European domestic league title or a major European domestic cup.
Youth
Konopka grew up in Toms River, New JerseyToms River, New Jersey
Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township...
and played both basketball and soccer at Toms River High School East
Toms River High School East
Toms River High School East is a comprehensive four-year public high school, the third high school built in Toms River, New Jersey, as part of the Toms River Regional Schools. It was built in 1979, after the first and second high schools; Toms River High School South and Toms River High School...
. Konopka came through the youth system of the Jersey Shore Boca
Jersey Shore Boca
Jersey Shore Boca were an American soccer team, founded in 2003, and were members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the third and fourth tiers of the American Soccer Pyramid for just one season, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They...
soccer club in South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
. In the summer of 2003 he played for the club's Premier Development League team, and in the summer of 2004, he played in the same league for the Jersey Falcons
Jersey Falcons
Jersey Falcons were an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...
.
Providence College
He played NCAA Division I collegiate soccer in the Big East ConferenceBig East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
at Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
from 2003 to 2006. Konopka earned himself trials in England after his senior season with Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, Cardiff City
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
, and Walsall FC. However, he was unable to sign in the United Kingdom as his attempted acquisition of a Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
passport through ancestry had not yet been completed.
Kansas City Wizards
He was drafted in the third round, 29th overall, by the Kansas City WizardsKansas 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...
in 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft
2007 MLS Supplemental Draft
The 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft was held on January 18, 2007, following the SuperDraft , as teams fill out their developmental rosters.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-References:*...
and became the first player in the history of Providence College to be drafted by an MLS team. Konopka became a free agent at the end of the 2007 MLS season after the Wizards elected not exercise his contract option which allowed him to pursue other opportunities without any transfer fee compensation. In December 2007, Konopka was named to the US U-23 National Team player pool by US U23 Head Coach Piotr Novak.
Bohemians
In 2008 Konopka was invited into pre-season training camp with Bohemian FC in January and signed a one-year contract in March. He was given international clearance to join the "Gypsies" on March 12. Konopka made his debut for the club on February 2, 2008 playing a full ninety minutes in a pre-season friendly match against Monaghan United and made his Bohs first team debut in the League Cup on July 1, 2008 on the road at Derry CityDerry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
. As a member of Bohs, he won the League of Ireland championship and the FAI Cup in 2008. Also while at Bohs, Konopka also impressed with the Bohemians' A-Side
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
in the inaugural A Championship
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
, leading Bohemian to the Grand Final.
Sporting Fingal
In 2009, Konopka signed a short-term contract with Sporting FingalSporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
of the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
First Division on July 28 and made his first team debut away against Monaghan United
Monaghan United
Monaghan United F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1979 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Monaghan and play their home matches at Gortakeegan, Monaghan...
on October 2 earning a 2-2 draw. He appeared in 4 first team matches at Fingal
Sporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
including posting a 4-2 win over Bray Wanderers in the 2009 FAI Cup semi-final on October 25. Konopka helped the club win the 2009 FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
and promotion to the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
Premier Division for 2010.
Waterford United
Konopka signed with Waterford on December 18, 2009 for the 2010 season. He made his Waterford UnitedWaterford United
Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded and elected to the league in 1930 and hails from Waterford. Originally the club was based at Kilcohan Park greyhound stadium, but have now moved to the Waterford Regional Sports...
League of Ireland debut on March 5, 2010 posting a 3-0 clean sheet against the Wexford Youths. Konopka received "man of the match" honours from extratime.ie for his performance in keeping a 1-0 clean sheet against Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
on May 7. It was Waterford's first win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
in 11 years.
Columbus Crew
Konopka was signed by 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...
from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on July 26, 2011 and made his club debut in a friendly exhibition match that evening against Newcastle United of the English Premiere League. He remained with the Crew and was part of the 18 man roster for their 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on July 30, 2011. He was called-in again by Columbus on September 10, 2011 and was part of the 18 man roster for the Crew’s MLS league games against Toronto, Houston and Philadelphia.
New York Red Bulls
Konopka was signed by New York Red Bulls of Major League SoccerMajor 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...
from the MLS Goalkeeper Pool on August 13, 2011. He made his league debut that evening, starting for New York in a 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire. His emergency loan ended after the match and he returned to the MLS Goalkeeper Pool.
Senior Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League* | League Cup | National Cup | UEFA-CONCACAF | Other** | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| 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... |
2007 | ||||||||||||
| 18 | |||||||||||||
| 18 | |||||||||||||
| Bohemian FC | 2008 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | |||||||||||||
| 18 | |||||||||||||
| 19 | |||||||||||||
| Sporting Fingal Sporting Fingal F.C. Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine... |
2009 | 3 | |||||||||||
| 1 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | |||||||||||||
| Waterford United Waterford United Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded and elected to the league in 1930 and hails from Waterford. Originally the club was based at Kilcohan Park greyhound stadium, but have now moved to the Waterford Regional Sports... |
2010 | 12 | |||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| 1 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | |||||||||||||
| 23 | |||||||||||||
| 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... |
2011 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||||
| New York Red Bulls | 2011 | 1 | |||||||||||
| 3 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||
| Career Totals | 16 | - | 3 | - | 2 | - | - | - | 53 | - | 74 | - | |
League(*) includes promotion/relegation playoff games and Other(**) includes Munster Senior Cup, LOI A-Championship
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
, LOI A-Shield
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
, MLS Reserve League
MLS Reserve Division
The MLS Reserve Division is an USA soccer league for the reserve teams of Major League Soccer.It was inaugurated on April 9, 2005, with the first official reserve game being a 2-0 victory by Chivas USA over the host San Jose Earthquakes, and disbanded after the 2008 season.The reserve division...
and friendly exhibition matches.
Waterford United
- Munster Senior Cup: 2010 Winners
Bohemians
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 2008 Premier Division - Champions - FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 2008 Winners
Providence College
- First player in PC history to be drafted by a MLS team (2007)
- Named Team Co-Captain (2006)
- Second GK in PC history to receive All-BIG EAST League Honors (Second Team-2006)
- Finished third all-time in most career GK games played at PC (2003–2006)
- Finished consecutive seasons among top BIG EAST GK statistical leaders (2006 & 2005)
- Set NCAA single-season records of 9 ties and 12 overtime games (2005)
- Most BIG EAST regular season wins in PC history (2006)
- Most career NCAA Tournament appearances in PC history (3 games in 2005-2006)
- Most PC GK games played in a single season (20 in 2005)
- Most PC GK minutes played in a single season (2020:38 in 2005)
- First PC GK to record NCAA Tournament win (2005)
- First PC GK to appear in NCAA Tournament 2nd round (2005)
Club and National Team Competition
- New York Red Bulls-Major League Soccer (2011)
- Columbus Crew-Major League Soccer (2011)
- Waterford United FC-League of Ireland (2010)
- Sporting Fingal FC-League of Ireland (2009)
- Bohemian FC-League of Ireland (2008)
- United States U23 National Team Player Pool (2007)
- Kansas City Wizards-Major League Soccer (2007)
- Major League Soccer Player Combine (2007)
- Providence College-NCAA-Big East Conference (2003–2006)
- USL Premiere Development League (2003–2004)
- USASA U23 Jersey Shore Boca (2005–2006)
- United States U19 Regional Team (2001–2004)
- NJ State Team (1998–2004)
- USL Super Y-League (1999–2000)
- USYSA Jersey Shore Boca (1994–2004)