Eric Hassli
Encyclopedia
Eric Hassli is a French
footballer currently playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer
. He is known for his strength and his technical ability.
. In 2002 he moved on loan to England to play for Southampton FC
. He scored two goals in eight matches for Southampton's reserve side but made no appearances for their first team. Southampton decided not to sign Eric Hassli permanently and so he returned to Metz
.
in the 2003/04 season
. His time at the club was not a success as he struggled to break into the first team. He managed just thirteen appearances, scoring two goals. At the end of the season he moved to Geneva
to play for Servette FC
of the Swiss Challenge League. However, on 4 February 2005 the parent company of the club was declared bankrupt. It had run debts of over 10 million Swiss francs, having not paid the players since the previous November, and consequently the club suffered an exodus of players looking for paying clubs. Hassli left to join FC St. Gallen
of the Swiss Super League
, a club in the very east of Switzerland.
proved the making of Hassli. His time at the club enhanced his reputation as he scored 18 goals in 47 games.
season. Hassli attracted the attention of plenty of clubs and returned to France to play for newly-promoted
Valenciennes FC
in Ligue 1
during the 2006/07 season. Back in France he had to settle for a place in the reserves as he only made 21 appearances, scoring 2 goals.
, he struggled to find his rhythm. In February
2008, Daejeon Citizen
in the K-League
attempted to bring Hassli, but they could not bring him due to his high transfer fee. He remained at the club despite this and during the 2008/09 season he regularly topped the goalscoring charts. While with Zürich Hassli scored 35 goals in 108 competitive matches.
as the team's first designated player. Swiss media reported that Hassli was granted an early contract termination by FC Zürich, allowing him to leave on a free transfer to Vancouver. He made his debut for the Whitecaps on 19 March 2011, in a game against Toronto FC
, scoring two of his team's four goals, one of which was the club's first goal in MLS competition
. In the Whitecaps' June 11, 2011 match against the Seattle Sounders, Hassli scored two goals; one was a penalty, and the second, a volley from an apparently harmless position on the right edge of the 18 yard box, sent flying into the top left hand corner, has been called one of the best goals in MLS history.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
footballer currently playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC 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 known for his strength and his technical ability.
Early career
Hassli began life at his hometown club Sarreguemines FC on the French-German border. In 2000 Hassli moved 40 miles west to play for MetzFC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
. In 2002 he moved on loan to England to play for Southampton FC
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
. He scored two goals in eight matches for Southampton's reserve side but made no appearances for their first team. Southampton decided not to sign Eric Hassli permanently and so he returned to Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
.
Start in Switzerland
Six months after returning from Southampton Hassli was on the move once again. He moved to Switzerland to play for Neuchâtel XamaxNeuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
in the 2003/04 season
Swiss Super League 2003-04
Statistics of Swiss Super League in the 2003–2004 season.-League standings:-References:...
. His time at the club was not a success as he struggled to break into the first team. He managed just thirteen appearances, scoring two goals. At the end of the season he moved to Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
to play for Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
of the Swiss Challenge League. However, on 4 February 2005 the parent company of the club was declared bankrupt. It had run debts of over 10 million Swiss francs, having not paid the players since the previous November, and consequently the club suffered an exodus of players looking for paying clubs. Hassli left to join FC St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
of the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
, a club in the very east of Switzerland.
Breakthrough in Switzerland
The transfer to St GallenFC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
proved the making of Hassli. His time at the club enhanced his reputation as he scored 18 goals in 47 games.
Return to France
At the end of the 2005/06Swiss Super League 2005-06
Statistics of Swiss Super League in the 2005–2006 season.-League standings:-References:...
season. Hassli attracted the attention of plenty of clubs and returned to France to play for newly-promoted
Ligue 2 season 2005-06
The Ligue 2 season 2005/2006, organised by the LFP was won by Valenciennes FC and saw the promotions of Valenciennes FC, CS Sedan Ardennes and FC Lorient, whereas AC Ajaccio, RC Strasbourg and FC Metz were relegated from Ligue 1.-20 participating teams:...
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
during the 2006/07 season. Back in France he had to settle for a place in the reserves as he only made 21 appearances, scoring 2 goals.
Return to Switzerland
At the end of the season he returned to Switzerland to play for FC Zürich. During his first season at the club, the 2007/08 seasonSwiss Super League 2007-08
-End of season:Last updated 10 May 2008Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points...
, he struggled to find his rhythm. In February
February
February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is the shortest month and the only month with fewer than 30 days. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years...
2008, Daejeon Citizen
Daejeon Citizen
Daejeon Citizen Football Club is a South Korean professional football team, currently playing in the K-League.Daejeon Citizen Football Club are famous for being the first community-club in Korea. Daejeon first entered the K-League for the 1997 season, finishing 7th out of the 10 teams...
in the K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
attempted to bring Hassli, but they could not bring him due to his high transfer fee. He remained at the club despite this and during the 2008/09 season he regularly topped the goalscoring charts. While with Zürich Hassli scored 35 goals in 108 competitive matches.
Vancouver Whitecaps
On 4 March 2011, Hassli signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 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...
as the team's first designated player. Swiss media reported that Hassli was granted an early contract termination by FC Zürich, allowing him to leave on a free transfer to Vancouver. He made his debut for the Whitecaps on 19 March 2011, in a game against Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
, scoring two of his team's four goals, one of which was the club's first goal in MLS competition
. In the Whitecaps' June 11, 2011 match against the Seattle Sounders, Hassli scored two goals; one was a penalty, and the second, a volley from an apparently harmless position on the right edge of the 18 yard box, sent flying into the top left hand corner, has been called one of the best goals in MLS history.