Dave van den Bergh
Encyclopedia
Dave van den Bergh is a former Dutch
footballer who last played for FC Dallas
in Major League Soccer
. He is currently an assistant coach for the United States U-20
.
. Between 1997 and 2000, he played for Rayo Vallecano
in Spain, helping the team get promoted to the Primera División, and earning their first UEFA Cup
qualification. Between 2000 and 2006, he played for Utrecht in the Netherlands, contributing 29 league goals over that span and helped the team earn five straight UEFA Cup
appearances.
He was a member of the Utrecht squad that won the Dutch Cup in 2003 (4-1 against Feyenoord) and 2004 (1-0 against FC Twente
), scoring the only goal in the 2004 final.
Also in 2004, he won the Dutch Super Cup (4-2 against AFC Ajax), ranking him among the most successful Utrecht players.
, for whom he scored three goals in thirteen appearances . Prior to the 2007 MLS season, he was traded to New York Red Bulls in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft
. During the 2007 season, van den Bergh obtained a U.S. Green Card
, meaning that he was now considered a domestic player instead of a senior international. He quickly established himself as the team's starting left winger, and also moved to the left back position. He ended his first season with the club appearing in 29 league matches, including 26 starts. He tallied 2 goals and led the club with 8 assists. In 2008 Dave continued his fine play with New York appearing in 26 league matches recording 7 goals and 5 assists. He scored the most important goal in club history in the Western Conference Final leading New York to a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake
and a berth in the 2008 MLS Cup
.
New York traded van den Bergh to FC Dallas
on January 12, 2009 for forward Dominic Oduro
and FC Dallas's second-round pick (selection #18) in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
. As part of the trade, the two teams also exchanged 2009 MLS SuperDraft
first-round picks; New York received FC Dallas's #11 selection while FC Dallas took New York's slot at #14. In 2009 Dave had another impressive season appearing in all 30 regular season matches for Dallas recording 3 goals and 11 assists.
The 2010 MLS season showed van den Bergh to be a man without a team. In spite of what many would argue was a career campaign in 2009 for the crafty veteran left winger, FC Dallas
waived van den Bergh prior to the start of the 2010 season after he reportedly questioned coach Schellas Hyndman
's coaching style. However FC Dallas maintained his rights in MLS and apparently the club made it very difficult for van den Bergh to move to a new team. “I have not talked with anyone (from the Red Bulls) or an MLS team. I’m unemployed. I’m open to playing for certain teams, not any team”.
on two occasions, both coming in 2004 when he was with Utrecht. He made his international debut on October 18 of that year in a 2-2 draw against Sweden
. He also represented his country at the 1995
FIFA U-20 World Cup
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer who last played for FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
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...
. He is currently an assistant coach for the United States U-20
United States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
.
Europe
A product of the famed AFC Ajax youth program, van den Bergh played for Ajax from 1995 to 1997, winning one league title during that time and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. Between 1997 and 2000, he played for Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
in Spain, helping the team get promoted to the Primera División, and earning their first UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
qualification. Between 2000 and 2006, he played for Utrecht in the Netherlands, contributing 29 league goals over that span and helped the team earn five straight UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
appearances.
He was a member of the Utrecht squad that won the Dutch Cup in 2003 (4-1 against Feyenoord) and 2004 (1-0 against FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
), scoring the only goal in the 2004 final.
Also in 2004, he won the Dutch Super Cup (4-2 against AFC Ajax), ranking him among the most successful Utrecht players.
United States
In June 2006, van den Bergh (who is married to an American) was signed 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...
, for whom he scored three goals in thirteen appearances . Prior to the 2007 MLS season, he was traded to New York Red Bulls in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 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:*...
. During the 2007 season, van den Bergh obtained a U.S. Green Card
United States Permanent Resident Card
United States lawful permanent residency refers to a person's immigration status: the person is authorized to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis....
, meaning that he was now considered a domestic player instead of a senior international. He quickly established himself as the team's starting left winger, and also moved to the left back position. He ended his first season with the club appearing in 29 league matches, including 26 starts. He tallied 2 goals and led the club with 8 assists. In 2008 Dave continued his fine play with New York appearing in 26 league matches recording 7 goals and 5 assists. He scored the most important goal in club history in the Western Conference Final leading New York to a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
and a berth in the 2008 MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
.
New York traded van den Bergh to FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
on January 12, 2009 for forward Dominic Oduro
Dominic Oduro
Dominic Oduro is a Ghanaian footballer who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College:Oduro started his playing career in Ghana, playing for both Prempeh College and the University of Ghana before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004...
and FC Dallas's second-round pick (selection #18) in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
2009 MLS SuperDraft
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 15, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the tenth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was owned by the expansion Seattle Sounders FC...
. As part of the trade, the two teams also exchanged 2009 MLS SuperDraft
2009 MLS SuperDraft
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 15, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the tenth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was owned by the expansion Seattle Sounders FC...
first-round picks; New York received FC Dallas's #11 selection while FC Dallas took New York's slot at #14. In 2009 Dave had another impressive season appearing in all 30 regular season matches for Dallas recording 3 goals and 11 assists.
The 2010 MLS season showed van den Bergh to be a man without a team. In spite of what many would argue was a career campaign in 2009 for the crafty veteran left winger, FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
waived van den Bergh prior to the start of the 2010 season after he reportedly questioned coach Schellas Hyndman
Schellas Hyndman
Schellas Hyndman is an American former soccer player. He is currently the head coach of FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.Despite having a limited career as a professional athlete, Hyndman is one of the most successful college soccer coaches in American sports history, compiling a 466-122-49 record...
's coaching style. However FC Dallas maintained his rights in MLS and apparently the club made it very difficult for van den Bergh to move to a new team. “I have not talked with anyone (from the Red Bulls) or an MLS team. I’m unemployed. I’m open to playing for certain teams, not any team”.
International
Van den Bergh has been capped by the NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
on two occasions, both coming in 2004 when he was with Utrecht. He made his international debut on October 18 of that year in a 2-2 draw against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
. He also represented his country at the 1995
1995 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 10th FIFA World Youth Championship was held in Qatar from April 13 to April 28, 1995. The tournament took place in three venues in one city: Doha.-Qualification:-Group A:-------------------------Group B:--------------------...
FIFA U-20 World Cup
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
.
Ajax
- EredivisieEredivisieThe Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
(1): 1995-96Eredivisie 1995-96The Dutch Eredivisie in the 1995/1996 season was contested by 18 teams. Ajax won the championship. From this season onwards a match win was rewarded with 3 points instead of 2.-League standings:1 Winners KNVB Cup... - UEFA Super Cup (1): 19951995 UEFA Super CupThe 1995 UEFA Super Cup was contested between the UEFA Champions League holders AFC Ajax and the Cup Winners' Cup holders Real Zaragoza. The cup was played later than usual, the two legs taking place in February 1996. The first leg was draw 1–1 at the La Romareda stadium in Zaragoza. The...
New York Red Bulls
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor 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...
Western Conference Championship (1): 20082008 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
Utrecht
- Dutch Cup (1): 2003KNVB Cup 2002–03The 85th edition of the KNVB Cup started on August 6, 2002. The final was played on June 1, 2003: FC Utrecht won the cup for the second time by beating Feyenoord 4–1...
, 2004 - Johan Cruijff Shield (1): 2004
Statistics
| League | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
 EredivisieEredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
196 | 30 |
 Segunda DivisiónSegunda División The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:... |
22 | 4 |
| Primera División La Liga The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system... |
25 | 2 |
| UEFA Cup UEFA Cup The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League... |
12 | 2 |
 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... |
98 | 15 |