Jeff Rowland (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Jeff Rowland is an American soccer forward
who last played for FC Dallas
of Major League Soccer
.
where he played on the boys soccer team. He missed his senior season with a knee injury and was not recruited by any major colleges. In 2002, he entered the University of New Mexico
, making the Lobos soccer team as a walk on. He finished the season with three goals in ten games, earning a roster spot for the next season. Rowland led the Lobos in scoring the next three seasons, being selected as a 2004 and 2005 first team All American
. He left the University of New Mexico
as the most decorated soccer player in school history; as a Hermann Trophy finalist, the only two-time All-American in school history, a two-time Academic All-American, ranking 3rd in points, 2nd in goals, 9th in assists with 5 goals and 3 assists in NCAA Tournament play.
and in 2005 with the Chicago Fire Premier
. In 2004, he scored 18 goals in 15 games with the Invaders. On January 26, 2006, the Real Salt Lake
picked Rowland second overall in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft
. Rowland tore the anterior cruciate ligament
in his right knee during the preseason. He had surgery, but Salt Lake waived him on March 31, 2006. Rowland lost the 2006 season, then rejoined Real Salt Lake in 2007 only to tear his right ACL before he played a game.
Salt Lake waived him again on May 10, 2007 when it became clear that he would lose the 2007 season. In 2008, Rowland rejoined Real Salt Lake, but was released in February. He then signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads
of the USL Second Division
.
Rowland signed a senior developmental contract with FC Dallas
in September, 2008. However, he was waived a few months later after the 2008 season ended.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
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...
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
Rowland attended La Cueva High SchoolLa Cueva High School
La Cueva High School is a public high school located in northeast Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is part of the Albuquerque Public Schools District. Their mascot is a bear. The La Cueva Cluster has several middle and elementary schools that feed into it, of which include Desert Ridge, Madison, and...
where he played on the boys soccer team. He missed his senior season with a knee injury and was not recruited by any major colleges. In 2002, he entered the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, making the Lobos soccer team as a walk on. He finished the season with three goals in ten games, earning a roster spot for the next season. Rowland led the Lobos in scoring the next three seasons, being selected as a 2004 and 2005 first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
. He left the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
as the most decorated soccer player in school history; as a Hermann Trophy finalist, the only two-time All-American in school history, a two-time Academic All-American, ranking 3rd in points, 2nd in goals, 9th in assists with 5 goals and 3 assists in NCAA Tournament play.
Professional
During the 2003, 2004 and 2005 collegiate off seasons, Rowland played in the fourth division Premier Development League. In 2003 and 2004, he was with the Indiana InvadersIndiana Invaders
Indiana Invaders is an American soccer team based in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
and in 2005 with the Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
. In 2004, he scored 18 goals in 15 games with the Invaders. On January 26, 2006, the 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...
picked Rowland second overall in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft
2006 MLS Supplemental Draft
The 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, held on January 26, 2006, followed the SuperDraft, as teams filled out their developmental rosters.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:...
. Rowland tore the anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in his right knee during the preseason. He had surgery, but Salt Lake waived him on March 31, 2006. Rowland lost the 2006 season, then rejoined Real Salt Lake in 2007 only to tear his right ACL before he played a game.
Salt Lake waived him again on May 10, 2007 when it became clear that he would lose the 2007 season. In 2008, Rowland rejoined Real Salt Lake, but was released in February. He then signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
.
Rowland signed a senior developmental contract with 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 September, 2008. However, he was waived a few months later after the 2008 season ended.