Craig Ziadie
Encyclopedia
Craig Ziadie is a Jamaican-American soccer player, who last played right back
for the MetroStars
of Major League Soccer
.
, Jamaica
. He came back to America first to attend high school, and then to play college soccer
at the University of Richmond
. While at Richmond, Ziadie was a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, and was named the CAA Player of the Year in his 2000 senior year. He also played for the Palm Beach Pumas
of the Premier Development League during his college years.
in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
. Ziadie surprised many by earning a starting spot in the D.C. lineup, and finished the year with three assists in 18 appearances, 13 of which were starts. Shortly into the 2002 season, however, Ziadie was traded to the MetroStars along with Mark Lisi
in exchange for Petter Villegas
and Orlando Perez
. He quickly earned a starting position with the MetroStars, though, and finished the season with 18 starts. Ziadie has maintained his starting position at right back through most of 2003 and 2004, adding a goal and four assists over 42 games. He was taken by Chivas USA
in the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft
, but did not sign with the team.
; he made his debut for the team 16 October 2002 against Japan
, opting not to wait for the United States
to call him in. He has since made more than 20 appearances for the team, and has been a fixture at right back during World Cup 2006
Qualifying.
, played in the NASL
with the Boston Beacons
, as well as the Jamaica national team. Craig has 1 son by the name of Jordan. His wife's name is Tara.
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 MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
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...
.
Youth and College
Although he was born in Florida, Ziadie grew up in KingstonKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. He came back to America first to attend high school, and then to play 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 Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
. While at Richmond, Ziadie was a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, and was named the CAA Player of the Year in his 2000 senior year. He also played for the Palm Beach Pumas
Palm Beach Pumas
Palm Beach Pumas was an American soccer team based in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Founded in 2000, 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...
of the Premier Development League during his college years.
Professional Career
Upon graduating, Ziadie was selected 28th overall by D.C. UnitedD.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. 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, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
. Ziadie surprised many by earning a starting spot in the D.C. lineup, and finished the year with three assists in 18 appearances, 13 of which were starts. Shortly into the 2002 season, however, Ziadie was traded to the MetroStars along with Mark Lisi
Mark Lisi
Mark Lisi is a former American soccer player who played midfielder for New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer until his retirement due to debilitating injuries at the finish of the 2006 season....
in exchange for Petter Villegas
Petter Villegas
Petter Villegas is a Ecuadorian-born Puerto Rican footballer currently playing for Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and college:...
and Orlando Perez
Orlando Perez
Orlando Perez is an American soccer defender, who is currently without a club, having been waived by Chivas USA of Major League Soccer....
. He quickly earned a starting position with the MetroStars, though, and finished the season with 18 starts. Ziadie has maintained his starting position at right back through most of 2003 and 2004, adding a goal and four assists over 42 games. He was taken by Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
in the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft
2004 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2004 MLS Expansion Draft was held on November 19, 2004 and consisted of 10 rounds. The two new teams, C.D. Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake, drafted players from the other 10 Major League Soccer teams....
, but did not sign with the team.
International Career
Ziadie also plays for the Jamaican national teamJamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
; he made his debut for the team 16 October 2002 against Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
, opting not to wait for the United States
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...
to call him in. He has since made more than 20 appearances for the team, and has been a fixture at right back during World Cup 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
Qualifying.
Personal
Ziadie's father, Dennis ZiadieDennis Ziadie
Dennis Ziadie was a Jamaican footballer who played in the NASL with the Boston Beacons in 1968, as well as the Jamaican national side. He is the father of fellow players Chris Ziadie, Nick Ziadie and Craig Ziadie....
, played in the NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
with the Boston Beacons
Boston Beacons
The Boston Beacons were a United States soccer team from Boston. In 1968 they were founding members of the North American Soccer League but folded after just one season. The Beacons were actually a relaunch of the United Soccer Association team Boston Rovers. They played their home games at Fenway...
, as well as the Jamaica national team. Craig has 1 son by the name of Jordan. His wife's name is Tara.