Jay Needham
Encyclopedia
Jay Needham is an American
soccer player currently playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders
in the North American Soccer League.
During his college career, he played as a central defender. In his professional career, he has primarily played central defender or as a defensive (holding) mid-fielder. He has also played at outside defender and sweeper.
After graduating from Arlington Heights High School
, Needham played college soccer
at Southern Methodist University
. While at SMU, Needham was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champion in 2003, the Missouri Valley Conference Season and Tournament Champions in 2004. After the 2004 season, SMU participated in Conference USA. The Mustangs were the Conference USA Season Champion in 2005 and the Season and Tournament Champions in 2006. The Mustangs participated in the NCAA Soccer Tournament all four years that Needham played advancing to the College Cup (final four) in 2005. SMU fell to Maryland (the eventual NCAA Champions) in the semi-finals.
Needham earned several honors during his career at SMU. He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference 1st Team All Freshman squad in 2003. After SMU moved to Conference USA in 2005, Jay was named 1st Team All Conference in 2005 and 2006. Conference USA named him Defender of the Year in 2006. He earned 1st Team Midwest Region honors in 2005 and 2006. The NSCAA name him 1st Team All American in 2006. Needham was also a Finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club
's Hermann Trophy
(given to that year's best college soccer player) in 2006.
During his time at SMU, Needham played summer soccer in the USL Premier Development League
with the DFW Tornados
.
in the third round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft
, but After attending training camp, he and D.C. United were unable to come to contract terms. He signed with the Puerto Rico Islanders
in the USL First Division
. On arrival, he was asked to change positions from center to outside fullback. While with the Islanders, Needham played both right and left fullback, logging over 2,000 minutes of play. The Islanders advanced to the USL semi-finals where they were defeated by the ultimate champions, Seattle
. They also advanced to the semi-finals of the 2007 Caribbean Cup.
At the end of the season, Needham was named the 2007 USL Division 1 Rookie of the Year.
in Alta, Norway
. Alta had just won promotion to play in Norway's 1st Division
. He made his debut on April 13 and retained a starting central defender position throughout the remainder of the season. During the 2008 season, Needham appeared in 24 league games, logging more than 2,000 minutes of play. He also appeared in two Norwegian Cup matches. Needham was named the teams Captain for their final four games.
At the end of the season, Alta retained its position in the 1stDivision
. This was only the second time in the clubs history that it had not been relegated the season after being promoted into the 1stDivision
.
2009 was Alta's most successful season in the 1stDivision
. The team ended the season with 42 points (a club record). Their 6th place finish out of 16 teams was the highest finish ever achieved by the club. During their run into the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup, Alta defeated Tippeligaen team, Bodo Glimt, 3-0.
Needham played in 26 leagues games and two Cup matches. For the third consecutive season, he logged more than 2,000 miuntes in league play. During the season, he played right fullback, center fullback, and defensive (holding) mid-field. After being moved into the mid-field, he played 19 games as Alta's holding mid-fielder. He also played defensive mid-field in two Cup mathces. Needham served as the team's Captain from May 21 through the end of the season.
In August, he was selected one of the 1st Division
's top foreign players by Football Magazine Norway. In September, the New York Times Soccer Blog named Needham one of the top 11 American uncapped players in Europe. After the close of the season, he left Norway in November.
of the USL First Division
at the end of January 2010.
During the 2010 season, Jay played central defender. He appeared in 25 league games playing over 2,100 minutes for the Aztex. Austin accumulated a team record 53 points for the season, finihsing one point out of first place. With their high finish, Austin also earned a playoff spot for the first time in team history. Austin ultimately fell to Montreal in the playoffs. Jay appeared in both of Austin's playoff games logging 180 minutes.
After the close of the 2010 season, the Austin Aztex announced they were relocating to Orlando Florida and would play under the team name, Orlando City Soccer Club. At the end of November, he was released from his contract by OCSC.
On February 2, 2011 it was announced that he would be returning to the Puerto Rico Islanders
.
The Islanders' first Cup competition of 2011 was the Caribbean Cup. The Islanders defended their title as cup holders defeating Tempete of Haiti 3-1 in overtime. During the tournament, Jay played every minute of every game including the 240 minutes to complete both the semi-final and final overtime games. As a part of his play, Needham scored the first goal of the Championship match.
In the CONCACAF Champions League, the Islanders faced Metapan of El Salvador in a home and home play-in series. Needham played all 180 minutes of both games. The aggregate score was 3-3. Metapan advanced on away goals.
During the regular North American Soccer League season, he appeared in 19 games scoring two goals, both game winners. The Islanders finished second in the league standings and lost in the semi-finals of the NASL playoffs.
During 2011, Jay appeared in 27 games for the Islanders, playing more than 2,300 minutes in all competition. He ended the year with 3 goals.
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 Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the North American Soccer League.
During his college career, he played as a central defender. In his professional career, he has primarily played central defender or as a defensive (holding) mid-fielder. He has also played at outside defender and sweeper.
College and amateur
Needham played youth soccer with the Dallas Texans Soccer Club. His team, Dallas Texans Red '85's, won four North Texas State Cup titles (2000–2003), three Southern Regional titles (2000–2002) and twice competed in the U.S. Youth National Championship final four (2001–2002). His team also won the Under 19 Division of the prestigious Dallas Cup in 2003. Other professionals playing for this Texans team were Hunter Freeman and Ramon Nunez.After graduating from Arlington Heights High School
Arlington Heights High School
Arlington Heights High School is a secondary school located in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Fort Worth Independent School District...
, Needham played 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 Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
. While at SMU, Needham was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champion in 2003, the Missouri Valley Conference Season and Tournament Champions in 2004. After the 2004 season, SMU participated in Conference USA. The Mustangs were the Conference USA Season Champion in 2005 and the Season and Tournament Champions in 2006. The Mustangs participated in the NCAA Soccer Tournament all four years that Needham played advancing to the College Cup (final four) in 2005. SMU fell to Maryland (the eventual NCAA Champions) in the semi-finals.
Needham earned several honors during his career at SMU. He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference 1st Team All Freshman squad in 2003. After SMU moved to Conference USA in 2005, Jay was named 1st Team All Conference in 2005 and 2006. Conference USA named him Defender of the Year in 2006. He earned 1st Team Midwest Region honors in 2005 and 2006. The NSCAA name him 1st Team All American in 2006. Needham was also a Finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club
Missouri Athletic Club
The Missouri Athletic Club , founded in 1903, is a traditional gentlemen's club and athletic club in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri, USA, with a separate athletic campus in the St. Louis County suburb of Town and Country. The MAC awards the annual Hermann Trophy, the highest award in American...
's Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
(given to that year's best college soccer player) in 2006.
During his time at SMU, Needham played summer soccer 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...
with the DFW Tornados
DFW Tornados
DFW Tornados was an American soccer team based in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1986, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference...
.
United States
Needham was drafted 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 third round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft
2007 MLS SuperDraft
The 2007 MLS SuperDraft, was held in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 12, 2007. It was the eighth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection belonged to expansion team Toronto FC.The SuperDraft was followed by the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft....
, but After attending training camp, he and D.C. United were unable to come to contract terms. He signed with the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in the 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....
. On arrival, he was asked to change positions from center to outside fullback. While with the Islanders, Needham played both right and left fullback, logging over 2,000 minutes of play. The Islanders advanced to the USL semi-finals where they were defeated by the ultimate champions, Seattle
Seattle 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...
. They also advanced to the semi-finals of the 2007 Caribbean Cup.
At the end of the season, Needham was named the 2007 USL Division 1 Rookie of the Year.
Norway
In March 2008, Needham transferred to Alta IFÄlta IF
Älta IF is a Swedish football club located in Älta.-Background:Älta IF currently plays in Division 4 Stockholm Södra which is the sixth tier of Swedish football. They play their home matches at the Älta IP in Älta....
in Alta, Norway
Alta, Norway
-Birdlife:For those interested in bird watching, the river outlet, known locally as Altaosen is well worth a visit. This tidal area is used as a stopover for many wetland species.-Transportation:...
. Alta had just won promotion to play in Norway's 1st Division
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
. He made his debut on April 13 and retained a starting central defender position throughout the remainder of the season. During the 2008 season, Needham appeared in 24 league games, logging more than 2,000 minutes of play. He also appeared in two Norwegian Cup matches. Needham was named the teams Captain for their final four games.
At the end of the season, Alta retained its position in the 1stDivision
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
. This was only the second time in the clubs history that it had not been relegated the season after being promoted into the 1stDivision
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
.
2009 was Alta's most successful season in the 1stDivision
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
. The team ended the season with 42 points (a club record). Their 6th place finish out of 16 teams was the highest finish ever achieved by the club. During their run into the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup, Alta defeated Tippeligaen team, Bodo Glimt, 3-0.
Needham played in 26 leagues games and two Cup matches. For the third consecutive season, he logged more than 2,000 miuntes in league play. During the season, he played right fullback, center fullback, and defensive (holding) mid-field. After being moved into the mid-field, he played 19 games as Alta's holding mid-fielder. He also played defensive mid-field in two Cup mathces. Needham served as the team's Captain from May 21 through the end of the season.
In August, he was selected one of the 1st Division
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
's top foreign players by Football Magazine Norway. In September, the New York Times Soccer Blog named Needham one of the top 11 American uncapped players in Europe. After the close of the season, he left Norway in November.
United States, Part II
Needham signed a three year contract with the Austin AztexAustin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
of the 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....
at the end of January 2010.
During the 2010 season, Jay played central defender. He appeared in 25 league games playing over 2,100 minutes for the Aztex. Austin accumulated a team record 53 points for the season, finihsing one point out of first place. With their high finish, Austin also earned a playoff spot for the first time in team history. Austin ultimately fell to Montreal in the playoffs. Jay appeared in both of Austin's playoff games logging 180 minutes.
After the close of the 2010 season, the Austin Aztex announced they were relocating to Orlando Florida and would play under the team name, Orlando City Soccer Club. At the end of November, he was released from his contract by OCSC.
On February 2, 2011 it was announced that he would be returning to the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
The Islanders' first Cup competition of 2011 was the Caribbean Cup. The Islanders defended their title as cup holders defeating Tempete of Haiti 3-1 in overtime. During the tournament, Jay played every minute of every game including the 240 minutes to complete both the semi-final and final overtime games. As a part of his play, Needham scored the first goal of the Championship match.
In the CONCACAF Champions League, the Islanders faced Metapan of El Salvador in a home and home play-in series. Needham played all 180 minutes of both games. The aggregate score was 3-3. Metapan advanced on away goals.
During the regular North American Soccer League season, he appeared in 19 games scoring two goals, both game winners. The Islanders finished second in the league standings and lost in the semi-finals of the NASL playoffs.
During 2011, Jay appeared in 27 games for the Islanders, playing more than 2,300 minutes in all competition. He ended the year with 3 goals.