Danny Waltman
Encyclopedia
Danny Waltman is an American
soccer player, currently playing for the Missouri Comets.
. While there, he was a four year starter on the boys’ soccer team. In those four seasons, the school was undefeated in league play. Waltman earned All-League honors four years running and was All-Area for two years. He holds the Bellarmine records for games started, wins and goals against average
.
He then attended the University of Washington
, playing on the school’s soccer team from 1999 to 2002. He started 18 of 19 games in his senior year, had 12 wins, 7 shutouts. He was All PAC-10 second team, PAC-10 second team all academic, was co-captain and was voted Most Inspirational by his teammates. He graduated bachelor’s degree in business.
During his college years Waltman also played for the Yakima Reds
in the USL Premier Development League
.
of USL First Division
where he spent the season as a backup goalkeeper. On October 18, 2004, the Chicago Storm
of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced they had signed Waltman on loan from the Sounders. He was first team All-Rookie, with multiple keeper-of-the-week awards.
In September 2006, he signed a three year contract extension with the Storm, was traded two days later to the Detroit Ignition
in exchange for Jim Larkin.
In 2006-2007 Waltman was the back-up for Sanaldo, but achieved a 5-1 record. As the starter in the 2007-2008 season Waltman led the MISL in minutes played, wins, assists by a goalkeeper, and save percentage, helping the Ignition to their second straight regular season championship. He was named second team MISL all-league. Danny achieved his 1000th MISL career save in 2008.
In 2008-2009 Waltman led the Detroit Ignition to the Championship of the new Xtreme Soccer League
. He led in almost all statistical categories, started all 20 games, was Keeper-of-the Month twice, was named to the XSL All-Star team, and was voted MVP of the XSL, the first keeper to win that award in indoor soccer since the legendary Victor Nogueira
in 1998.
Danny prides himself as being a team player. Commenting on the XSL championship, he quoted Michael Jordan: "Talent wins games. Intelligence and teamwork win championships." And on winning the MVP award, Waltman said " It's a team award. I benefit from the great play of my teammates."
Waltman signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for the 2009 season
. For the Riverhounds Waltman collected 5 wins, 4 shutouts, and had a GAA of 1.27, He was 3rd in the league with 61 saves and received one Team-of-the-Week recognition. Of the season Danny said "It was great to play outdoor again. I did well, but I can do a lot better. The Riverhound organization was outstanding, and the fans were great."
Waltman was the first player signed by the MISL 1st year Missouri Comets
. He was named February Goalkeeper of the Month going 3-1 in February and played an important role in the Comets’ playoff drive. Waltman turned in his best month of the season in February, punctuated by his play during the Comets’ three-game win streak in which Waltman did not surrender more than seven points in any game. Waltman made multiple key saves in all three games, stopping point-blank shots with his hands and his legs. After saving 10 of 17 shots in Chicago on the 6th, Waltman went on to save 21 of 24 at home against the Chicago Riot
, 17 of 20 against the Omaha Vipers
, and 18 of 21 in Chicago, saving a total of 66 shots on 82 attempts for the month (an 80% clip). To top off Waltman’s efforts in February, he scored a three-point goal in the Comets’ last game of the month, in Chicago on the 26th.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player, currently playing for the Missouri Comets.
Youth and College
Waltman began his soccer career with Solaris '81, Washington State Champions each of his seven seasons. He attended Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
. While there, he was a four year starter on the boys’ soccer team. In those four seasons, the school was undefeated in league play. Waltman earned All-League honors four years running and was All-Area for two years. He holds the Bellarmine records for games started, wins and goals against average
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
.
He then attended the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, playing on the school’s soccer team from 1999 to 2002. He started 18 of 19 games in his senior year, had 12 wins, 7 shutouts. He was All PAC-10 second team, PAC-10 second team all academic, was co-captain and was voted Most Inspirational by his teammates. He graduated bachelor’s degree in business.
During his college years Waltman also played for the Yakima Reds
Yakima Reds
Yakima Reds was an American soccer team based in Yakima, Washington, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western 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...
.
Professional
In April 2004, Waltman signed with the Seattle SoundersSeattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
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....
where he spent the season as a backup goalkeeper. On October 18, 2004, the Chicago Storm
Chicago Storm
The Chicago Storm is a team in the Ultimate Soccer League that began play in the 2004-2005 season as a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League.-History:The Storm played home games during its first two seasons at the UIC Pavilion on the west side of Chicago...
of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced they had signed Waltman on loan from the Sounders. He was first team All-Rookie, with multiple keeper-of-the-week awards.
In September 2006, he signed a three year contract extension with the Storm, was traded two days later to the Detroit Ignition
Detroit Ignition
The Detroit Ignition is a dormant American indoor soccer team that has played three seasons, most recently 2008-09.In April 2006, Greg Bibb, president of Hantz Group Sports and Entertainment, introduced the teams as a new Major Indoor Soccer League expansion team. They played at the Compuware...
in exchange for Jim Larkin.
In 2006-2007 Waltman was the back-up for Sanaldo, but achieved a 5-1 record. As the starter in the 2007-2008 season Waltman led the MISL in minutes played, wins, assists by a goalkeeper, and save percentage, helping the Ignition to their second straight regular season championship. He was named second team MISL all-league. Danny achieved his 1000th MISL career save in 2008.
In 2008-2009 Waltman led the Detroit Ignition to the Championship of the new Xtreme Soccer League
Xtreme Soccer League
The Xtreme Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that began play in December 2008. Four teams from the former Major Indoor Soccer League participated in the first XSL season--- the Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave, and New Jersey Ironmen...
. He led in almost all statistical categories, started all 20 games, was Keeper-of-the Month twice, was named to the XSL All-Star team, and was voted MVP of the XSL, the first keeper to win that award in indoor soccer since the legendary Victor Nogueira
Victor Nogueira
Victor Nogueira is a retired American soccer goalkeeper. Nogueira spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League, but gained his greatest recognition in over twenty seasons in three indoor leagues, the Major Indoor Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League and the second Major...
in 1998.
Danny prides himself as being a team player. Commenting on the XSL championship, he quoted Michael Jordan: "Talent wins games. Intelligence and teamwork win championships." And on winning the MVP award, Waltman said " It's a team award. I benefit from the great play of my teammates."
Waltman signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for the 2009 season
United Soccer Leagues 2009
The 2009 season is the 23rd season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 20 professional men's clubs in the USL First Division and USL Second Division, as well as 37 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League and 68 professional and amateur men's teams...
. For the Riverhounds Waltman collected 5 wins, 4 shutouts, and had a GAA of 1.27, He was 3rd in the league with 61 saves and received one Team-of-the-Week recognition. Of the season Danny said "It was great to play outdoor again. I did well, but I can do a lot better. The Riverhound organization was outstanding, and the fans were great."
Waltman was the first player signed by the MISL 1st year Missouri Comets
Missouri Comets
The Missouri Comets are an indoor soccer team based in Independence, Missouri, near Kansas City. They joined the new Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team in the 2010–2011 season. They play their home games at the Independence Events Center....
. He was named February Goalkeeper of the Month going 3-1 in February and played an important role in the Comets’ playoff drive. Waltman turned in his best month of the season in February, punctuated by his play during the Comets’ three-game win streak in which Waltman did not surrender more than seven points in any game. Waltman made multiple key saves in all three games, stopping point-blank shots with his hands and his legs. After saving 10 of 17 shots in Chicago on the 6th, Waltman went on to save 21 of 24 at home against the Chicago Riot
Chicago Riot
The Chicago Riot was an indoor soccer team that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They were based in Villa Park, Illinois, near Chicago, and they played their home games at the Odeum Expo Center.-Namesake:...
, 17 of 20 against the Omaha Vipers
Omaha Vipers
The Omaha Vipers are a PASL-Pro team that began play in the MISL in the 2010-11 season. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the Vipers play their home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The move from the MISL to the PASL-Pro was announced on May 5, 2011....
, and 18 of 21 in Chicago, saving a total of 66 shots on 82 attempts for the month (an 80% clip). To top off Waltman’s efforts in February, he scored a three-point goal in the Comets’ last game of the month, in Chicago on the 26th.
External links
- About Danny Waltman at Pittsburgh Riverhounds official website
- 2004 Sounders profile
- ESPN interview
- Detroit Ignition Player Profile